Going My Way?

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27

Have you ever stopped to think if your actions point people to Jesus or away from Him? For instance, are you a constant complainer? Do you pick up after yourself, meaning shopping carts and popcorn bags at the theater? Are you constantly judging others, even silently? What kind of movies might someone see you in? Is your speech 'preacher friendly'?

These questions are asked simply to make you think. A Christian bumper sticker is great but if you have it on your car,  better obey traffic laws and be kind to others. Also try to be joyful even if you don't feel the best. Don't just huddle with other believers but let your light shine in your realm of influence. 

I guess it boils down to if we claim to be a follower of Christ someone is probably watching. Jesus is! 

PRAYER: Lord I want to be a great example for the kingdom of God. I know I have slipped up so please forgive me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

IS JESUS FIRST?

Do you love the Lord with all your heart, your soul, and your might like it says in Luke 10:27? Really? Are you on the throne of your life or is Christ? Really? Do you choose other activities over Small group, Bible study, or church? Why? Too busy. Prayer doesn't work. You would rather do other things.

Have you lost your "first love" that being Jesus Christ? If you are a new parent are you raising your newborn infant in the ways of the Lord already or the ways of the "world"? These are just a few things to think about.

Maybe you never asked Jesus to be Lord of your life. Perhaps you are a better Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, or Methodist, to name a few, than a follower of Christ. The enemy can trick you into thinking being a "church member" is the key to heaven. It is not. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:18(NIV) that 'The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.'

Pray and ask God to give you a "burning desire" for Him or pray for those loved ones who are drifting away to get a hunger for you again.

PRAYER: I love you Jesus. Forgive me if I have ever let the ways of the world the precedence over the things of God. Forgive me when I have turned my back on you. Bring back(fill in a name)to you in a mighty way. In Jesus' name, amen.

NO GUILT TRIP INTENDED

 

Are you able to squeeze time with God into your very busy day? Just five minutes. Can you do that? My intent is not to send you off on a "guilt trip" as the only type of trip fun to take is usually a vacation trip or something fun. Guilt trips are not fun. The point is we have so many obligations and commitments in our busy days. Even those who are not employed for a pay check still contribute to society and especially those busy stay home moms out there. But with all of our busyness it seems I hear that the first thing to get squeezed out or forgotten is spending time reading the Bible. It even happens to "yours truly". Just because I write devotions does not mean I am perfect. Far from it. Time with the Lord has to be intentional. Do not wait to go on a spiritual retreat, although they are wonderful, and I have one coming up in early October in the mountains of North Carolina with Moms in Prayer International. Have a daily "retreat" with the Lord. You might have to be creative. The enemy is going to come up against you as he knows you gain power to defeat him when you study and read God's word.

"But Becky I have to really hustle to get out of the door in the morning. I need to watch the news and check my Facebook status." There you go. Two major things not necessary to do and are taking time from the one thing you really need to do. So many feel Sunday is all they need. Even well meaning church goers and those who claim to be Christians often see no need to dig any deeper than what they are "fed" each Sunday. Many of those people then would not even be reading this devotion. Many are stuck in denominational ruts where maybe they never saw any need to go beyond their one hour on Sunday. Perhaps you live with a person like that. Beating them over the head with the Bible will only drive them further away. The Holy Spirit is the one who needs to touch them. As Bible teacher Joyce Meyer says " Do not be Holy Spirit Junior" as it just will not work. If you do not stay knowledgeable of God's word you can be easily deceived by Satan. He is a liar and the Father of lies it says in John 8:44 and John 10:10 and has tricked many people into believing what they think is true. He is operating at full speed ahead in our world today in case you have not noticed.

Try these tips to start. Get a devotional book that is brief and to the point. (God's Lemonade Stand will hopefully and prayerfully be in book form before the end of 2014). Remove those hindrances from your morning that take you away from "God time" and are not all that important, or in other words the world will still spin if you forget to do them. Things such as checking on friends on Facebook, watching the morning shows, and reading the paper. Put them "after" the Bible and see if you don't feel better and have more time. If you are at work before your day starts open your Bible and read a Psalm or Proverb or sign up to get a daily devotion sent to you at work if your work place allows this on your free time.

Proverbs 18:10(NKJV) says 'The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.' That name is above every other name and it is Jesus Christ. You learn about Him and get closer to Him by reading His word daily and living each day for Him. He is not just a Sunday Jesus. Start today and make Him the first priority of your day.

PRAYER: Thanks Jesus for loving me. Forgive me when I have ignored you and given my time to every other thing but forget about you. I desire to prioritize my day to get strong in you by reading your word The Bible. In Jesus' name.Amen.

FADS COME AND FADS GO....

.....But Jesus is never out of style. Look around you at things popular in our culture today. Clothing styles, tattoos, habits, toys, music, electronic devices, celebrities, dances, baby names, and a host of other things. We buy a certain clothing style and in a couple years you can't be seen in it because it is old fashioned. Computers have really changed from the full room size to one in the palm of your hand.

One thing that never changes or never goes out of style is Jesus.Scripture says in Hebrews 13:8(NIV) that 'Jesus is the same yesterday, today, yes and forever.' We are not to put Him on a shelf because He is not cool. Sadly this is exactly what many people today do. Those who already know Him may "hide their light" for no one to see. Some maybe too embarrassed for others to know so keep it quiet.

Some, even in the Christian community, have tried to change what sins are okay now because "times are a changing". Sin does not become socially acceptable because a sinful godless society misinterprets it. The powers of Satan work overtime to confuse and distort the Bible and bring confusion to the minds of many. Certain sins are even becoming fashionable and accepted by society. Romans 12:2(NIV) tells us 'Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.' Remember that we do not change what Gods' word says so we can feel better about the sins we are committing.

James 4:17(NIV) says '

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.' PRAYER: Lord forgive me if I have ever treated you like you are old fashioned or out of style or not spoken up against something I know is wrong and against God's word. Keep me from being self righteous and help me to remember to pray for our government in the United States who is going against the word of God. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below and praise God in song.

http://youtu.be/uMgsMC83ZDs

CONNECTIONS

 

In my travels I get a kick out of everyone on their portable "life saving devices" or at least that is what we modern era folks look like constantly thinking we have to be connected. People almost look like robots rushing through concourses at various airports constantly on these little devices. Oh what on earth will someone do if they can not get you on the phone? How did we manage to survive without our communication devices 24/7 before this?

Every now and then you should seek to find peace without being "connected" all the time. It is necessary to just get away at times and just relax. You do not need to know every friends' Facebook status. Life will still go on.

When thinking of being connected, I was thinking our best and most important connection is with Jesus, yet how many of us fail to even give him any time in our day? We rush about doing all sorts of "necessary" things without even caring to have the power to resist Satan by getting daily into the word of God for a dose of the truth.

Are you guilty of putting God on "hold"? Right now you can change that. How much time do you spend on your wireless devices? Maybe try to budget your time and give Jesus some too. Do not make it legalistic in the sense you are just checking a block. But sincerely ask God to help you make time for Him and give your device a break for a while.

Isaiah 26:3(NIV) says 'You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.'

PRAYER: Lord Jesus it is my desire to let you be my biggest "connection". I know I have been at fault in neglecting time with you as I give more and more time to all the little "communication toys" I own. It is my desire to grow more in Christ and let you have first place. In Jesus' name. Amen.