Just Be Nice....Try It!

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

 Most people can probably come up with a name or two of someone who has mistreated them, back stabbed them, betrayed them, called them ugly names. Sometimes it is hard to forget about it and anger and hurt wells up. You know in order to move on you have to let it go. There are a few people who have hurt me and mostly are not in my life anymore. Satan wants me to be angry back but that is not the right thing to do.

You are to trudge on, turn the other cheek, and not seek revenge. If it even crosses your mind to retaliate that is not from God.

So move on my friend. Pray for those who have hurt or misused you in any way. Above all show love.

PRAYER: Forgiveness is a trait I want to develop in all situations in my life. Help me to love regardless if someone loves me. In Jesus' name.Amen. 

God Is Indeed In Control!

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12

I am so grateful to live in a democratic society. We are bordering on soft tyranny in many areas but still, to some degree, we the people still have a voice, a right, a vote, and most importantly a prayer. For a country founded on God's word, Satan's forces have crept in through the years since our founding, trying to lie to people, and confuse and mislead others. When we started taking God out of the equation we were certain to fail. 

Today there is a revival going on in this nation in many areas. Many people are still too busy to realize the dangers of what freedoms are at stake. Endearment to a political party or ideology has blinded so many. Satan has taken many captive through their thinking. It is time for the people of God to stop being so busy and to pray for this great nation and for each and every leader whether we agree with them or not. God can turn the tide. God can change hearts. He alone is in control. 

What do you need to do to help this country start getting back to the Bible? Each person can do one thing, and that is pray.

PRAYER: Lord I cherish my freedom. I know that evil is roaming around even in the leadership of our great land trying to domineer over us and remove our freedoms. It is subtle but that is how Satan works. Wake us up to danger. Remove any blinders from all of our eyes. In Jesus' name.Amen.

NOTE: If you are reading this from a different nation, please pray for America to remain free.

Are You A Quitter?

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

It is easy to quit things. Let's say you are running a race and you just give up so you quit. Maybe you are trying to lose weight and you just haven't done very well so you bail out. Sometimes jobs are not easy to find so you decide to give up and file for unemployment. Many people start a painting project in their home and just get tired and quit. 

Things worth getting take time, patience, and perseverance. A student studying to be a doctor has a distinct goal in mind but a long road ahead. He or she has to keep moving ahead through tests, study, bills, residencies, more tests, more bills and so it goes. The rewards are good for those who do not cave in and give up cause it is too hard.

How many people have quit on God? By this I mean He did not answer a prayer or you had a child die and got mad at God. Incurable cancer struck and once again the "why me" prayer is prayed. God never promised us a life free from problems but He can help you overcome them. Don't quit on Him as when you do you give the devil an opportunity to control your life. You are either for Him or against Him. Where do you stand?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus forgive me if I have ever gotten upset when a prayer is not answered. I know you do not give up and neither should I. I choose to press on. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Get Unstuck

 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

Move on and don't camp out with your problems or your past. Dwelling on the things you have no control over is a dead end street. It is necessary to pull yourself out of the mire holding you down and taking you captive. It is as if you had fallen in a pit and are unable to free yourself.

The good news is God can free you and get you unstuck. You do not have to drag your feet and think there is no hope. Hope is alive because of Jesus!

Is there an area of your life you need freedom from? Run to God and he will lift you up.

PRAYER: You indeed Lord are my hope and my salvation. I trust in you so forgive me when I have let
the enemy keep me in bondage. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a song of hope:

http://youtu.be/6VqRlO3wa1A

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

There is a familiar hymn about focusing on Jesus and the problems of the world seem to fade away that is the same title as my title today.  This is a very true statement. When you are hurt turn to Jesus. When you are joyful turn to Jesus. Keep looking to Him and not at issues that surround you. 

One of the ways to stay focused on positive things and to be able to 'look up' when you feel like 'looking down' is to stay positive. You can do this by saying affirming things out loud. Positive confessions spoken out loud help cure many ills. If you tune in to God the cares of the world seem to fade. What good does sitting around speculating about what might happen going to do? Answer. Nothing. So what is the alternative? Speaking God's word out loud and letting them get down in your spirit. I guarantee you if you do this you will feel better. No matter what the situation, turn it over to God.

Here are just a few good positive scriptures to read out loud.You may not be where you can speak out loud and if not still read them but later when alone read them out loud.


I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  See 2 Corinthians 5:21
I am the head and not the tail. See  Deuteronomy 28:13
My children shall rise up and call me blessed(for moms)  See Proverbs 31:28
I am precious in God's sight.  See  Isaiah 43:4
I will run and not be weary. See Isaiah 40:31
 I will resist Satan and he has to flee. See James 4:7
God has a plan for my life. See Jeremiah 29:11
 My children will not depart from the godly training they received. See Proverbs 22:6
 I can do all things through him who gives me strength. See Philippians 4:13
 No weapon formed against me shall prosper. See Isaiah 54:17
 I will give God my worries as he cares for me. See 1 Peter 5:7
 He is my shelter in a storm. See Isaiah 25:4
 God is my help in times of trouble. See  Psalm 46:1
 God will direct my path. See Proverbs 3:5-6
 I am not afraid because God is with me. See Psalm 23
 I am not afraid of what mere man can do to me. Psalm 118:6

Saying things out loud helps. Try it.  When you know that you know that you know that God is in control and say so, what reason do you have to keep looking down?

PRAYER: Father I want to lean on you for freedom from doubt and worry. Help me not listen to wrong or negative messages but to fill my head with good and positive thoughts and Bible verses. I am thankful you are in control. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click link for wonderful song to start your Monday:

http://youtu.be/nO4uIyz_d90

My Prayer List Post Christmas

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

How many of us have been well intentioned when someone asks us to pray for them and if we do not do it right then totally forget? I have to admit I have done this I am ashamed to say.  

Have you ever thought of using the Christmas  cards you receive as a prayer tool. Leave them out just a while and each day select two or three to pray for in your prayer time. Everyone has needs and concerns but only the Lord knows what each person is dealing with. Make Christmas season continue past December 25 by putting those cards to good use. Even better when there is a photo on the card so you put a face with a name.

Remember just as today's very short verse says,we are to pray all the time. You can actually talk to God in prayer even when you are driving your car. I often turn off my radio and just pray at that time in the quiet and comfort of my car.  Whatever you choose, just do not stop praying.

PRAYER: Dear Lord I thank you for every chance I get to pray. I thank you that I happen to live in a country where I can do this in most places. Help me not forget when someone requests prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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. 

The Tock Is Clicking

For he says, in the time of my favor I heard you and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of Gods'  favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

Made you look with that title huh? A little play on words to remind us our 'clock is ticking' each and every day. We never know when we will breathe our last breath. If we could choose the way we want to die it may be just sleeping in bed, at age 95, as long as we're still in good health and not on feeding tubes. We do not  get to choose the way we die. And we do not know when. We need to be ready at all times as the Lord could come back anytime it says in the Bible.

Just because you are a church member, baptized, or a certain denomination does not guarantee you admission into the heavenly kingdom. Make sure you know beyond a shadow of a doubt you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and savior. Now is the time of salvation. Don't be left behind.

 PRAYER: Lord Jesus we know and we feel the last days are near because of prophecies being fulfilled but yet no one knows the day or the hour. I want to be sure when it is time. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Dig Deep

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

Forgiveness is a hard thing to do. Sometimes it is necessary to forgive people even when they are unaware they have hurt you or are at fault. You can dwell on issues and things that have been done to you or you can choose to move on and open your heart and allow God to transform you. It is hard to not forgive and to walk with the Lord at the same time. 

In order to truly forgive you have to purpose in your heart that you will not allow past problems to fester and if a person does not even know they are wrong forgive them in your heart anyway. Ask God to help you mend relationships and not harbor bad feelings.  You have to move on beyond hurts and pains and let Jesus have them.

Today whatever it is that has been bothering you first pray and ask God to help you release this person to Him and let you move beyond resentment and ill will.

PRAYER: I have been hurt by people, sometimes people very close to me who do not even realize it. I need to get beyond the feelings of anger and hatred to showing love and forgiveness regardless.Teach me your ways Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.