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.

BEWARE! WORDS HAVE POWER!

Is your mouth full of blessing or cursing? If you are a parent of a child make sure your words are building them up and not tearing them down. Husbands need to be careful to treat the "wife of their youth" with the highest honor she is deserving of not speaking to her harshly as she is a gift from God. May you never utter angry hateful words to a spouse or anyone else. Remember mean talk does not come from God. If people could control the words they speak there would be lots of lawyers out of work. Get control of that mouth and the words you say.

Before you speak think how it will affect the person on the receiving end. If what you have to say is unkind then better to not say it. James 3:10(NIV) says 'Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. Brothers and sisters this should not be.'

If only believers would get serious about their speech. James 1:26(NIV) says 'Those who consider themselves religious but yet do not keep a tight reign on their tongues deceive themselves and their religion is worthless.' We are told in Proverbs 4:23 to "guard our heart for out of it flow the issues of life."

 

Would you rather be around a man or woman of pure speech or one who curses and takes the Lord's name in vain? We are not perfect and God forgives but sometimes I think the modern culture encourages swearing by things in the movies or on television. The "F" word becomes so common place it almost seems acceptable which is scary and sad. Would you talk ugly if you were speaking to our Lord? Of course not!

Ephesians 4:29(NIV) says 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Start today trying to be aware of your words and how they affect people. Ask God to help you if you are weak in this area. May the words you say be praises to our God above.

PRAYER: Lord I want my words to bring forth good feelings and praise and not hurt someone. If I have said something inappropriate I ask forgiveness. I choose to start today to let only good things come forth from my mouth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link and listen to a wonderful praise song to get your Monday started right:

http://youtu.be/d0Qx1e33Ook

PROBLEMS OR PROMISES?

What are you thinking on? Are you worried about your health, your job,
your finances ? Why not start meditating on God's word and REALLY
trusting Him and do not let Satan capture your thought life. Bad
thoughts, fear, worry all come from the enemy.

Remember in John 14:27(NIV) it 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.' Does being scared or worried
do one bit of good? The answer of course is NO. So why can't we let go

and let God? Does your worry change the situation? Once again the
answer of course is NO.

Proverbs 3:5-6(NIV) is one of my absolute favorite scriptures and it
says 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own
understanding and in all your ways submit to Him and He will make

your paths straight.' There is that word "Trust".

Psalm 119:165(NIV) says 'Great peace have they who love your law, and
nothing can make them stumble.' The law meaning the Bible. This is

why it is so important to keep the word of God an essential part of

every day life. The world has enough junk to throw at us to frighten
us. Tune out the bad stuff. For instance turn off the news if it makes

your fearful. Put on some Christian praise music which helps to lift

your burdens. This is why I often attach an appropriate worship song

to my devotions.

Refuse to allow the enemy, Satan,to put worry and fear in your head.
Cast off works of darkness and let Jesus' light shine out. When you
are praising Jesus it is often very hard to worry.

So which is it going to be? Will you mediate on God's promises or will
you cave in to doubt, fear and your problems?

PRAYER: Lord I love the word of God. I know if I make an effort each
day to not forget to get in to the word I will have lots less worry
weighing me down. Help me resist the enemies attacks on my thought
life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for a wonderful song to add to this devotion.
http://youtu.be/XkljgA5SQc8

PRAISE THEN CRITICIZE??

Are you guilty of going to church and worshipping God and praising him in song then when you get out of church you return to your 'old self' that of maybe gossiping, backbiting others, being critical, or judging? Did the message you heard in church even sink in or were you simply there doing your 'duty' to God to keep one of the Ten Commandments?

 Going to church should help transform you but if you are simply there out of some duty or because it was what your mom and dad taught you to do then what good is it really? Perhaps it is time to get serious about loving Jesus with all your heart. The Bible says in Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." When you love the Lord you love people too. Think about that.

If you name the name of Jesus you should not hide your light and you should not just go to church but get to know Jesus. Spend time with him daily. Pray, read the Bible, perhaps even find a Bible study during the week to attend. If you are going there should be a change in your life. Don't walk outside on Sunday after church and put back on your old ragged stained garments of sin but look up and rejoice. Get to know what Christian love is and try to shine for Jesus every day everywhere you are. If you have wronged someone go ask forgiveness.

Above all let what comes out of your mouth reflect the goodness and glory of the Lord. Hate, criticism and gossip do not fall into that category.

 Psalm 19:14 says "let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord my strength and my redeemer."

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that I get to go to church. There are no armed guards saying we cannot go in and no one has confiscated my Bible. Forgive me Lord if I have ever been guilty of acting holy in church then like a 'little devil' the rest of the week. I represent you and I want to do it well. In Jesus name.Amen!
 Click on link for awesome song of praise.
http://youtu.be/qaHmiFaX_pk