Be Happy Everyday!

This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Hopefully you woke up today in a good mood ready to face yet another day God has blessed you with here on Earth. We are not here to serve ourselves alone. We are here to serve the Lord and love people, all people.

Sometimes if you wake up feeling depressed, gloomy,sad, and alone, try saying out loud the verse above. Say it over and over if you have to. If you are away from things of the Lord and feeling sort of out of it, go get a Bible and open to the book of John in the New Testament and rejoice. Make a list of your blessings in life instead of dwelling on your problems. Pray for other people. Do something nice for someone, even a stranger. Purposely think on good things. 

Each and every day is a gift from God and a reason to be glad. If you are feeling down it is because Satan likes to get you to be this way. When you feel bad tell Satan to get behind you. Now go out and be happy!

PRAYER: I love you Lord and I choose this day to rejoice and make the enemy mad. Help me be kind today regardless of feelings. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Shout For Joy

 "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (NIV) Psalm 118:24

I love songs about joy. The joy of the Lord is your strength. There is joy unspeakable and full of glory. Joy to the world the Lord has come.I've got that joy, joy,joy, joy down in my heart. 

Joy is defined as "great happiness or being delighted." When you sing about the joy of the Lord do you feel joy and show it on your face? I absolutely love praise and worship music. I can't help but raise my hands in praise to the Lord. I do not imagine in heaven we are going to be just sitting there singing and not excited. If you sing a song that says "I lift my hands up" do you lift them up? I imagine up in heaven it is going to be one fantastic praise fest. I mean can you imagine coming face to face with the King of kings and Lord of lords!? You won't be able to contain your joy.

Are you missing that joy in your life? Many who are in churches feel church is enough and don't really feel joyful on Sunday. If this describes you maybe you need to ask Jesus to come into your heart and transform you. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want the joy only you can give. In Jesus' name. Amen.

JOYFUL, JOYFUL

Recently I accidentally got ahead of someone who had been waiting at a local eating establishment. This individual gave me a really angry look. I apologized and said I was sorry but she still said nothing and just had this smirk on her face. People like this need prayer. My accidentally cutting in line should not have been reason to warrant  such a response,  so apparently this young woman had other issues on her mind.  Most the time I try to get people to smile but this girl was beyond smiling. 

Are there people in your life that tend to be complainers, grouches, and find negative in everything? Maybe it is even you? Joy is something that comes from deep within. God can give you that true joy. Do not allow those in your life who do not experience this rob you of your joy. Only God can transform a person and deliver them from a bad spirit. 

You can't expect to be joyful if you harbor resentment, wrong thinking, or a bad attitude. God can set you free! 'The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.' (Proverbs 10:28)

PRAYER: I want your joy Lord constant and ever present in my life. I know I can only have that by reading and living the word of God. Guide my steps each day to walk a life filled with joy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOT SO MERRY?

At Christmas season we are told to be merry, joyful, happy, and have peace on earth and good will. What if you just went through a loss of some sort? Then it may not be easy to rejoice or celebrate. At times like these it is necessary to not rely on your feelings. Sometimes you have to make a choice to have joy whether you feel like it or not.

Sadness is a part of life. Do not allow sadness to drag you down so bad you can not enjoy life. This time of year has a high incidence of suicide. Who puts thoughts like that in our minds? It is not Jesus. Satan likes to drag us down. And get us dwelling on all the bad stuff in life. Those who have lost family members to suicide can attest to the deep sadness and a host of other emotions. Allow Jesus' to transform your pain into reaching out to others. Sometimes getting involved in another persons life can help transform your deep pain.

Try to get your focus on "above". Phillipians 4:8(NIV) 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.' Do not feel you have to fit into a cookie cutter mold of what this time of year is supposed to be. Trust God to carry you through.

PRAYER: Lord I need you every hour. At this time of year many are sad and many hurt. Help me recognize that not all are filled with joy. Show me how to minister to someone who may be hurting. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255

CHILL MARTHA!!

Christmas time is wonderful. It is a time of memories and sometimes immense sadness when we have
recently a lost loved ones. For many it is dreaded each year due to all the hype and mandatory things
they feel they need to do.

First off, it is Jesus' birthday celebration, pure, plain, and simple. No need to attend umpteenth million cantatas or plays, put up lighting displays, mail out 100 plus cards, have an open house, and bake oodles of cookies and gingerbread men if it is only going to take away the true meaning and joy of this wonderful time of year. Keep your focus on one thing and that is about the birth of a baby in a manger.

Parents of young ones could take this time to stop the gimme monster and turn the celebration into
Jesus' birthday party. Share with others instead of heaping many unwanted and unused things upon
yourself.

This time of year and hearing stories of frazzled nerves reminded me of the story of Mary and Martha
in Luke 10:38-42 which says in verses 41 and 42 '"Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are
worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Martha could just not relax because of all the preparations she thought were vitally important. Jesus just wanted her company.

How about you? Do you need to just "chill" and sit in God's presence?

PRAYER: This is an exciting time of year but I can tend to focus on the wrong things. Help me Lord as I seek to stop shopping til I drop and instead to drop down at your feet and worship you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

Several years ago a close friend of mine gave me a button which said "Too blessed to be Stressed"! Think about that phrase for just a moment. If you are reading this from the United States you probably truly are extremely blessed beyond measure. Even people in poverty in the U.S. often are much better off than those in Third World nations.

Stop for a moment and list the blessings in your life. Write them down. Things like food, clothing, freedom to worship, freedom in general, friends, great marriage, family that loves me,car to drive, bike to ride, ability to walk,great healthcare, and on the list will go. It is in fact true,I for one am "too blessed to be stressed".

Yet sometimes we find ourselves caving into fear,worry,cares of this world and we start to get "stressed out". Why do we allow ourselves to do this when we know we have a loving God who wants us to give Him our cares? Perhaps we are not focused on God and His goodness like we should be.

Psalm 34:1(NIV) says 'I will bless the Lord at all times His praise shall continually be on my mouth'. When you take time to praise Jesus and thank Him for your blessings you will have very little time to be down in the dumps. Why not try it today?

PRAYER: You are so wonderful Lord. Your blessings are new every single morning. You are so wonderful to me. I thank you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

GROUCHY? GET SOME BLUE TOENAILS

 

This is the second go round for this devotion. The first written a few days ago was lost in cyber space. Never even had a draft to use to recreate it so with God's help I attempt to do my best again. The title asks a question, are you grouchy? Maybe you do not think you are but what kind of words constantly flow from your mouth? Are they words of praise or words of condemnation? Are they words of love or words of judgment? Are they words of hope or words of despair? Are they words that build others up or tear them down? Think on that for a moment.

So many folks may get in a habit of griping, judging, gossip, unthankfulness, criticism and not even reallize it. Maybe it has been a part of them for a long time and even Christians can be this way. Pray and ask God to reveal to you if you are this way and if you feel you are try to make changes.

I like the motto for the "Life is Good" company which is "Do what you like and Like what you do". Does that describe you? If not why? Are you in a mode of comparison perhaps? Do you feel you are worth little or perhaps too old for something? If you are an "older person" and keep talking about aches, pains, and all that, then try to change your habit of assuming things happen at a certain age and go on with life. If you are say 60 and feel you are washed up, shame on you. God can and does use people of all ages to serve Him and work for Him. The world we live in makes it sound like we assume we need to throw in the towel, so to speak, at age 50 or 60 or 70 or even 80 etcetera. Why? Some may say, "Act your age" and I say "What fun is that?"

The other day my friend Pam was in town visiting and we went for a pedicure. Normally I get the traditional red or pink shades of polish but I said "I will take the bright blue". Yes I have blue toenails and I kind of like them. I am getting ready to celebrate a "milestone" birthday so what better way to make yourself feel young than getting a crazy toenail color. It makes me laugh just looking at it. Do something fun, get out and get going. Start making your speech be positive. Even in your prayer life start it by praising God and telling Him how great and wonderful he is! Romans 4:17 mentions 'Calling things as not as though they were' or in other words do not use negative talking saying things that drag you down. Believe in miracles. Believe in hope. Believe in the impossible!

Mark 9:23(NLT) says "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." Sear that in your brain that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! Start a habit of positive speech. Say things like "Thanks Lord for a beautiful day. Thanks Lord for life. Thanks Lord for being a God of mercy. Thanks for my family. Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayers." You can probably think of others. God is a God of hope so try to make your speech give you and others hope and not drag them down. Keep focused on above and if you need to laugh and smile, go get some blue toenails (well maybe not my male readers). Have a blessed and God filled day!

PRAYER: Today is your day Lord. Each and every day is a day to lift up your name. You alone are mighty and powerful. You care about me Lord. I choose this day Lord to start thinking positive and talking positive. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click this link below and get ready to worship God in song and lift your spirits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_2qG22SPwU&feature=share&list=RD026_KXsMCJgBQ

ANOTHER DAY!!! YIPPEE!!

Oh happy day! Oh glorious day! Oh wonderful day!  So you say you are not a morning person? Well hop up out of bed one day and say one of the three statements above. Each day is a gift from God to go out into the world around you and shine His love on others. Don't lie in bed fearful, depressed, and moping. 

In Psalm 118:24(NKJV) it says 'This is the day the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be glad in it!'  Are you able to get up and just say "thank you Lord for another day to impact the world" and then get up and get going?

Each brand new day comes with brand new challenges and a clean slate in which to begin. I find that great! We can choose to be positive and joyful or negative and fretful. What do you choose? 

I know God watches over me each and every day and that makes me smile. Lamentations3:22-23(ESV) says 'The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning.Great is your faithfulness.' 

Lift up your eyes and shout unto God that you love this day and what it holds for you. Psalm 90:12(NIV) says 'Teach us to number our days so we may gain a heart of wisdom.'

Most everyone is familiar with The Lord's Prayer. In Matthew 6:1(NIV) says 'Give us this day our daily bread' which means just what it says, "give us what we need"  not necessarily what we want. He does provide for us and our needs. 

Today you have a chance to go into the day with a new attitude. The past is gone. So why not say "yippee" and get on with it? God Bless You!

PRAYER: I am excited that with each morning sunrise we get a brand new chance to do things differently if we messed up somewhere or get to try new things. It is a new day to sing your praises. Help me resist the enemy trying to make me dwell in the past as I jump up joyful and say "use me today Lord". In Jesus' name.Amen. 

A SIMPLE SMILE

Look around you! Is there anyone you see who could use a smile? Often all it takes is a smile to lift someone's spirit. Go about your day and note the looks on people's faces. Maybe some are legitimately "down" but others just are seemingly sad. It takes very little effort to smile at someone. Such a small gesture could truly brighten a person's day.

Why do we go around frowning anyway? Do you yourself feel joyful? Psalm 28:7(NIV) says 'The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him.'

If we are to try to emulate Christ I am pretty certain He is full of joy. The enemy of our souls, Satan, is the author of all things bad and he is a joy stealer and a counterfeit. He will lie to you to make you think certain wrong things are right and fill you with false happiness. Only though Jesus and truth is their real joy. Psalm 16:11(NIV) says 'You make known to me the path of life and you will fill me with joy in your presence.with eternal pleasures at your right hand.'

So do you feel joy in your soul and can you share that through your smile with those around you?

PRAYER: Today Lord I thank you for another day of life. I thank you for all the blessings in my life. I thank you for joy only you can give. I choose to walk in joy today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

HIGH FIVE

The "high five" sign or "give me five" or "thumbs up" seems to be the universal language of goodness, happiness, or congratulations. My foreign readers will have to let me know if it is used in the country they reside in. When you say hi often you say "Give me five"!

tami

This "giving of five" is done when people feel joyful or happy. Do you feel joy or happiness in your life? Joy should not be dependent upon what is going on in your life but deep down you can experience the joy of the Lord no matter what is happening around you. "Now Becky don't be ridiculous! You are saying people in Moore, Oklahoma who have lost loved ones can actually have joy?"

Scripture says in Nehemiah 8:10 'Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Is The Lord your strength? Do you or can you feel His presence? When you get a moment read the entire chapter of John 15. Verse 11 says 'These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.'

Joy comes from God. You need to meditate on His word and His love for you. Do not allow your circumstances or people to rob you of joy. Joy could also stand for an acronym which is "Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself Last". Think of that for a moment. If you did concentrate and put Jesus first each day you would have a much better chance for maintaining your joy.

PRAYER:Lord I thank you that in you is found true joy. I know the enemy tries to defeat me daily and steal my joy. I will not allow things to spoil the joy of the Lord.Comfort those who are grieving today and bring them joy in their sadness. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link and worship God in praise and song.

http://youtu.be/ibPUbKW5Sak

ARE YOU CONTENT?

What makes you happy? Do your possessions make you happy? Does your "stuff" bring you joy? If all your "things" blew away in a tornado,were destroyed in a flood or fire, or were stolen could you still be content? If everything you owned were gone in an instant would you not know what to do with yourself?

In Philippians 4:12(NIV) it says 'I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.' Can you make this verse sort of your "marching order" and try to live a life bringing to glory to God without worrying about your possessions?

1 Timothy 6:6(NIV) reminds us 'But godliness with contentment is great gain'. In Luke 12:18-21(NIV) we see a story of a the rich fool who seemingly was not worried as he had things set aside to make him comfortable. These verses say 'Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Where is your heart? Are your things or your hobbies more important than serving the Lord? Only you can answer that question.

PRAYER: Father forgive me when I have worried about my "stuff" and not been content with just the fact that you will take care of my needs. Help me remember things will not get me into heaven but loving you and being willing to take up my cross and follow you will. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for an awesome song to get your day going! Happy Saturday! Be blessed!

http://youtu.be/JQqXKzhtBYE

GOD WILL NOT FAIL YOU

Welcome to February!! The month of making resolutions or setting goals
is behind us although that does not mean to not to go after goals and
dreams in life. Before getting into a few devotions this month on
love, since this month is Valentine's Day, I want to concentrate on
letting you know God is for you. God loves you. If God had a
refrigerator your picture would be on it! Even if you have messed up
He does not kick you out or set you out with the trash like damaged
goods. He can and will forgive and he can and does use you for His
kingdom purposes. He forgives your sins and gives you a brand new

start. Only Satan condemns you and makes you feel worthless. You are
worth very much in the eyes of God. Always remember that!! 1
Corinthians 6:11(NIV) reminds us 'and that 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 our God.'

Each and every day of February and every day thereafter get up and say
out loud 'This is the day the Lord has made and I WILL rejoice and be
glad in it!' (Psalm 118:24). ' What if I am having a terrible day or
have a jerk as a boss at work, you still want me to sing praises to
God?' Yes, is the resounding answer. Sure life can, and will throw
some junk at us sometimes. Unexpected deaths, sicknesses, loss of
jobs, betrayal of friends, a church who turns their back on you for a
bad "sin". Many disappointments can happen while on this Earth.

In the book of James 1:2-4(NIV) it says the following 'Consider it
pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many
kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance. Let perseverance finish its' work so you may be mature
and complete not lacking anything.'

Start February on a high note knowing you are special to God and He
wants you to come to Him with your joys and your sorrows. He is
waiting to hear from you.

PRAYER: Lord I do thank you for the joy of the Lord which is my
strength. Thank you each new day is a chance for a new beginning.
Thanks for not remembering my sins and letting me have another chance.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for a awesome praise song to lift your spirits.

http://youtu.be/PXsWAAhnGhc

EXCITED ABOUT YOUR GIFTS?

This time of the year we are winding down and de-stressing from the
rush of the Christmas season, more than likely. As stated in
devotions leading up to this special day where we celebrate Jesus'

miraculous birth, the focus needs to get off the man made traditions

and onto our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Many may have spent way
too much money for gifts people do not even like or appreciate. For
me personally some of the best gift giving times have been when I have
made time in my schedule leading up to Christmas to make a homemade
gift. For some this is cookies but for others it is a craft for the
home such as a basket, a painting or something similar. Some give
afghans or quilts. Perhaps doing some ceramics or pottery. Maybe your
thing is mixing up some spiced tea mix. The look on a person's face
when they realized the time you took is not why you do it. I know when
I have received gifts like this it makes me almost cry. Do not get me
wrong, as store bought gifts can be just as heartfelt. But did you go
overboard and now have a tremendous credit card bill coming your way?
If so this means January and February may be stressful as well.

Time to regroup and get ready to do it different next Christmas. One
thing that has helped "yours truly" is making my traditional family
photo card as a New Years card instead. I work on them in the month of
January. Maybe your cards come in bunches and you hardly have time to
read them. This is a fun way to skip that.

There are some reading this where Christmas may have been very unhappy
due to a recent death or anniversary of a death and my heart goes out

to you. Perhaps you have lost a job or a marriage has ended. Whatever

caused the unhappy feeling makes you less than joyful. Elderly people
often have no one to really do things with or help them, especially
those who live in nursing homes. The world has many lonely souls out
there. Maybe there was just no money to spend.

If you fall into the category of needing some joy and peace, do not
wait until the New Year to make a resolution to do things
differently. Start now and make Jesus part of your day and the major

part of this "holy day" as, after all, it is his birthday.

Many are worried about the future, if you happen to live in the
United States, as politicians have drug us into bankruptcy and an
impending fiscal cliff because they could not stop printing money and

giving freebies out. No discipline in their homes would have resulted in

total chaos but it is okay to send the American people off a cliff. We
are told to trust in God and not in man so do not let this drive you
crazy. Once again focus on Jesus and his word.

Let me end with a scripture to mediate on found in Phillipians 4:6-7
and it says 'Do not be anxious about anything but with everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding
will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.' Can you do that?
Can you run to God and give Him your cares? Stop what you are doing
and purpose in your heart you will get up daily and focus on the
goodness of God and trust Him with your concerns. He is God after all!

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for living where I can openly pray and read
my Bible. I know many countries persecute and kill Christians so I do
not take this freedom for granted. Lord I confess sometimes I focus on
problems and not on you. Forgive me Lord. I choose this day to start

by reading the word and prayer. I know you will take care of me. In
Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for a wonderful song of peace:
http://youtu.be/nO4uIyz_d90

JOY JOY JOY AND MORE JOY

It's Christmas time! Joy to the world! Many around you, or perhaps you
yourself, do not feel joyful due to circumstances in your life. You
just wish Christmas would hurry and go away as it makes things way too
painful. Why is it some people love Christmas and others dread to see
it come?

Maybe if we would not forget what this day is about then we could just
enjoy it in a simple way. When you have expectations that are not met
or feel let down then it is hard to get into the spirit of this
wonderful day celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus. Perhaps you
feel obligated to do certain things that end up causing you stress.
Why not sit back, go somewhere alone where it is quiet, and just pray
and be still? No cell phones. No music in your ear. Nothing. Just you
and God. It may be a challenge if you are a young parent with children
or work full time. Try to find time to schedule a "peace break" alone
somewhere. It could be at a park just sitting in your car. Or go for a
walk. Take time to decompress.

No one said you have to bake twelve dozen cookies. No one said you
need a tree. No one said you have to send Christmas cards.(I for one
send New Years photo cards instead around the 3rd week of January when
people are back in a calmer routine). No one said you have to have an
open house. No one said you have to go to parties. Try to sit and talk
to God and decide what this day is all about and go from there. How
can you have peace on earth when you are in inner turmoil?

John 14:27(NIV) says 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I
do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.' Remember the scripture in Romans
12:2(NIV) that reminds us '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, perfect, and
pleasing will.' Part of this Christmas stress might be caused by
trying to fit into the mold of someone else. Relax and enjoy Jesus'
birthday. That is what this day is really about.

PRAYER: Father thank you for your peace. I want to enjoy Christmas for
what it is and not get caught up in the man made things that can tend
to cause stress. Help. Me Lord learn when to say no to things just
because "the world" thinks it is the thing to do. I want to enjoy your
birthday. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LAUGH IT UP!

'A merry heart does good like medicine' it says in Proverbs 17:22, and that is why I like to buy humorous, yet clean, cards for those I know that are ill. Sometimes some church people look like they have been baptized in lemon juice. We are supposed to have the joy of the Lord. If you are wearing a Christian tee shirt or sporting a bumper sticker make sure to try to crack a smile okay.  Be an example and not a deterrent. Learn it is okay to laugh.

Here are a couple clean bits of humor. Hope they make you chuckle.

Did you hear that cars were mentioned in the Bible? Yes "and they were all in one accord." (See Acts 2:1) Ha ha , get it? One Accord as in Honda Accord. Love it! 

Here is one not from the Bible but never the less a little funny I think.

' It was not the fall that killed him but the sudden stop.'Ha

This past week I went to a ladies night out event at my church called "Chocolaugh" which consisted of watching a DVD of a female Christian comedian, Anita Renfroe, while we enjoyed chocolate treats. The body of Christ needs to laugh every now and then. There is clean humor.

There may be some denominations falsely taught that for us to laugh is not being reverent and Holy. I beg to differ. Jesus created us and you know the word joy? How can you be joyful if don't put a smile on your face?  As a witness for Jesus you probably attract more people if you do not look like you are sad.

So go ahead laugh and show the joy of the Lord.

PRAYER: Father I thank you for the gift of laughter you created but man perverted. Even in scripture it speaks of not being involved in "coarse jesting" which, sad to say, there is plenty of around. (See Ephesians 5;4). Lord Jesus help me learn to smile and laugh and share your love with others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

DO YOU FEEL MERRY?

Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas! There are many people out there who feel like saying 'No, No, No, go away Christmas!' Perhaps because of the commercialization of this time of celebrating the Lord's birth many become distraught. When merchants start to bombard us with TV ads and store displays as early as August, it can wear on us. Many tend to overspend and become in debt only for a gift that someone "has to have". Maybe you feel you "have to" do certain things expected of you. Because of this you run yourself ragged and just can not wait for this time of year to fade away and put everything back to normal in the new year. So where is this "peace on Earth' as you do not feel any of it.

Why not take this time of year to attempt to really be '"Merry" in the Lord. Start new traditions but do not take on so much you are too wiped out to enjoy the birthday of Jesus. There is nothing you "have to do." Your first priority is to relax and to celebrate the birthday of the King of kings and Lord of lords. If you are too worn out making everything "just so" it is quite possible you will be too frazzled to enjoy this season. Take a lesson from Martha and Mary. (See Luke 10:38-42).

Try this. Get up each day and say thank you to Jesus for another day He has given you. You do not have to have a Christmas activity planned each and every day. If you are a family with children try to make the emphasis "Jesus and giving" and not "Santa and getting."

Let this Christmas season be filled with peace, joy, giving, loving, kindness, and shining for Jesus in your daily life and you will truly feel "Merry".

John 1:1-11 says 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.'

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your birthday we get to celebrate. Forgive us when we have put too much emphasis on candy canes, Santa, snowmen, and toys and not enough on you. For it is your birthday after all. In Jesus' name Amen.

Click on link below to worship and praise God in song.

http://youtu.be/zQWXfHzOKUU

THE LANGUAGE OF FEAR

What type of reaction do the words Y2K, laid off, fiscal cliff, bankruptcy, global warming, communism, Armageddon, lawsuit, and cancer stir inside of you? Probably most readers would initially respond 'fear'. Those are not words that bring joy and happiness. The thing a person needs to do is to dwell on good thoughts. Sure, who would not be frightened by looming tragedies? You can overcome this fear by trusting that God in fact is going to take care of you.

To needlessly just worry over something you have no control over only makes you tense, stressed, and sick. The Bible has said in 1 Peter 5:7(NIV) to 'cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you.' Picture a fisherman casting his fishing line into a body of water. He or she tries to get the line out as far as possible. This is what God wants you to do with your cares. Throw them out onto Him, so to speak.

2 Timothy 2:7(NIV) says 'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.' Today stop, take a deep breath,and tell God He can have your fears. Then go relax.

PRAYER: Lord I need you to take the controls of my life. There are so many things that tend to frighten me as I dwell on them. I trust you are in control and have a plan. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below to help get you in the right frame of mind for joy and the Christmas season.

http://youtu.be/tC3SwhJsLqU

PEACE BE WITH YOU

In the world we live in it is hard to have peace. The media bombards us with hype and fear. Perhaps you wake up in the morning and feed yourself a steady diet of depressing news, celebrity gossip, and the local paper. If so, do you feel any better when done with what to many is a morning ritual? The answer, if you are honest, is probably no. How can you feel positive and peaceful with a steady diet of lies, gossip, and fear? As a believer you have a choice. Waste one hour watching morning shows or spend the same time getting closer to God. The newspaper or the Bible. Your choice. Which is first in your life? Be honest.

Many forget about God each day. Church is enough many think. In past blog writings I have mentioned about not being 'conformed' to this world. Challenge yourself to be different and be set apart for kingdom work. Strengthen the spirit and focus on Christ. Don't get into the pattern of thinking you need to know about the Kardashians before Jesus. Why does it matter? Will it improve your life?

It is very difficult to maintain peace, joy, and love when the things of the world consume your every waking hour and there is no time for Jesus. If you know the news is going to depress you why even bother listening to it. Surround yourself with things that make for a peaceful life and keep those things that drag you away from the joy of the Lord out of your life.

In Isaiah 26:3 it says "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." I find it odd as I wrote this devotion a few days ago I accidentally hit the delete button instead of the save button and never did find it in the trash on my computer. I just laughed and went about recreating it knowing the enemy was trying to steal my peace while I wrote about peace.

Do you have peace today? If not turn on to God and tune out those things in your life causing fear and worry.

PRAYER: Father I thank you for helping me maintain peace when the world around me is going crazy. Help me look to you instead of the news to keep my focus in the correct place. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below to worship God in song.

http://youtu.be/DXDGE_lRI0E

Note:Let us not forget to pray for those in the Northeast being hit by one of worst storms ever. Let us not worry and fear but trust God. He is sovereign over all!

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE UNHAPPY

As I sit writing at a crowded neighborhood coffee shop, the barista named Bob, behind the counter,when a customer said to him, "Boy are you in a good mood!" his response is my title above. It is so very true. Life is short. We do not know when God will call us home and our earthly service will be completed. He is the one who knows the day and the hour. It is important to stay happy. Turn that frown upside down. What good does it do to go around all gloomy? Try smiling and see if your attitude changes. People also say to me "How are you today?" My reply many times is "If I were any better I'd be twins." This gentleman working at the coffee shop answered the same question by exclaiming , "If I were any better the government would have to tax me twice."

Each day is a gift from God and an opportunity to shine for Jesus. If you love Jesus let your eyes sparkle and wear a smile! In the musical 'Annie' there was a song whose lyrics said "You're never fully dressed without a smile." Look around you. Do people around you display joy?

Matthew 24:6 says "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven or the Son, but only the Father." The time you have on earth should be used to serve others. Look at people you pass and give them a smile. Ecclesiastes 3:2 says " A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to pluck up what has been planted."

Many people dread their week especially those working in jobs they do not enjoy. They want Friday to hurry and be here. I heard an evangelist once say "It's Friday, But Sunday is coming!" so instead of being excited for 'Casual Friday' at work why not look in anticipation of the day you get to have fellowship with others.

So are you enjoying your life? If no,t find a way to help somebody. Volunteer at an assisted living center or a hospital. Go out and shine and radiate the love of God wherever your life takes you! Each day is a chance to start over if you have messed up seem way. Live every day to the fullest not knowing how much time you have left.

Psalm 90:2 says " Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Talk to any cancer survivor and they will no doubt tell you they are thankful for each day they are alive here on the Earth. Sometimes a brush with death helps us think of life differently. I have come close a couple times myself once being when I was sucked out to sea by rip tides while I was snorkeling and believe me it taught me the value of being alive.

Psalm 39:4 says "Show me Oh Lord my life's end and the number of my days, let me know how fleeting is my life." Death will come to all of us and it is nothing to fear if you know the Lord. In the meantime why not start making it a point to bless someone each and every day you are alive and well.

Get up and thank God saying Psalm 139:4 "This is the day the Lord has made. Will rejoice and be glad in it!"

PRAYER: Lord Jesus forgive me if I eve walk around gloomy thinking only of myself and my problems. Lord I know you want the joy of your presence to radiate to others. From this day forward I am going to make it a point to shine for you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below to listen to Nashville song writer Sonia Lee in a song of hope:

http://youtu.be/SXx1St1pdyY

YOUR FACE IN THE MIRROR

YOUR FACE IN THE MIRROR

As I was in the drive thru of my local fast food restaurant recently I noted the looks of the peoples faces in their rear view mirrors. The lady behind me looked like she was having the  most terrible day. I was wondering how my face looked to others if they were to see my face in the rear view mirror. Is it happy, joyful with a smile on it? This is something you probably don't give much thought to. Do you appear content? If not, what is there to frown about?

Do you want your face to reflect the joy of the Lord even when you think no one may see you? I am not expecting you are going to smile all your waking hours  but it sure is more pleasant.

There was a song several years ago entitled 'Put On A Happy Face' and part of its' lyrics were as follows "Gray skies are going to clear up, put on a happy face,Brush off the clouds and cheer up, put on a happy face." When a problem consumes our every waking moment  it may be difficult to 'put on a happy face' and the remedy for this is trying to focus on your blessings. Believe it or not, everyone has things to be thankful for. Get out a sheet of paper and start listing some things you ate thankful for. It might surprise you.

Make an effort each day to focus on the good and not the bad in your life. Satan will do what he can to keep your thoughts off God and joy by causing you fear , worry, and doubt. Phillipians 4:8 says " Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable think on these things."  It sure is easier to have a happy face in the mirror when you let Jesus lift you higher than your problems.

Don't spend your time worrying about things down here it says. Once you have developed this spiritual discipline of thinking good thoughts that smile will naturally follow.

PRAYER: I thank you Jesus that the joy of the Lord gives me strength. I thank you that the enemy has no power over me and I will not allow him to cause me a lack of contentment. In Jesus name. Amen.