Pray First And Always

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 Are you believing for something in your life? Maybe in the natural people may say it is impossible. Perhaps you are faced with a seemingly difficult stressful situation. What is your normal response when under pressure? The answer should not be "freak out" but it should be to pray and keep praying. Nay sayers, maybe some even close to you, may say it is useless or there is no hope.

No matter what situation you are up against the natural man wants to fret, worry, stress, and lose control. The godly man chooses to think it through and let God be the guide. When letting the natural man be in control ultimately Satan is the winner as he has you not trusting God and not believing in miracles.I don't know about you, but I want to let God help me control my emotions under pressure. Humanly it is easy to just lose it under certain circumstances but why not practice crying out to God when you feel like doing otherwise.

PRAYER: I love you Lord and thank you for the perfect peace that I experience when I go to you in prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Note: Today is the last day of 21 Days of Prayer from Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, AL.

 To view it go to http://21days.churchofthehighlands.com/service/

How Green Is My Grass?

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

Comparison is a tool of the devil. Comparing your finances to others, your gifting to others, your job to others, your house or your car among other things,  is not from God. Comparison leads to envy and envy can lead to discontent and hate for another. This is not what God wants for His children.

Instead God wants us to be happy for another's successes and new 'toys' in their closet so to speak. We are not to wish we were someone else or thinking the other person has it so much better. This is definitely wrong thinking and requires you to get your mind renewed. How do you renew your mind? With the word of God. Daily search the scriptures and think good and positive thoughts. This type of thinking will eventually cause you to not be negative and concerned so much with others. 

Can you do it? Start today and thank the Lord for where you are in life. Do not envy another's position in life, their education or school they attended, or the job title they have. Be  grateful as God has you just where He wants you . Rejoice!

PRAYER: I am thankful Lord for so many things. Most of all for the gift of life and freedom. Help me not lose sight of all the things you do for me and keep me from coveting others life or things. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Being Happy For Others

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

Sometimes in life people have things happen that cause another envy. Let's say a person has a talent or skill that you wish you had. Maybe you find yourself resenting that person. When you can not be happy for others then you are slipping into a trap the enemy has set to get you jealous of others. To be able to live a life full of the love of Jesus you have to nip that area in the bud if you are weighed down with it.

The verse for today is pretty clear. No extra degrees are needed to understand it. Basically be happy for others and if they are sad weep with them. If you can not be happy for others successes then you need to ask Jesus to intervene and give you a heart full of His love.

PRAYER: I truly want to rejoice for others when they have a success in life. I realize the enemy can make me fall into his trap and take his bait and if I do I can not show love. I want your love inside of me. In Jesus name.Amen.

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. 

I LOVE CELEBRATING

 Life is worth celebrating. All kinds of occasions. Births, baptism, graduation, weddings, anniversaries, and yes birthdays no matter how "young" you are. Today I am celebrating a milestone birthday. I was born in 1953 so do the math. I am not ashamed. Life is a celebration. God has blessed me with sixty beautiful years. And you know what they say "60 is the new 40".

Do you like to celebrate? Parties are fun. Getting together with friends and family and enjoying good food and good times. Gifts are nice too. But did you know what the greatest gift of all is? It was the birth of Jesus Christ. 'God so loved the world that He gave us His only son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but should have eternal life.' (John 3:16)

It is going to be one tremendous celebration for Christians when we arrive in heaven. Also when one sinner repents it says "the angels rejoice". Luke 15:10(NIV) says 'In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

I have been to the funeral of Christians who chose to not make it into a sad affair, but instead to turn it into a celebration of a life well lived. It is really a neat thing to see family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of the believer who has now entered heaven. We down here are left with memories and feel a great loss, but sooner or later all of us are going to die. No matter how much some people want to try to stay here, perhaps try to be frozen like in the movie "Forever Young" we have to face it. Death will come to all of us.

Are you ready to meet Jesus if today were the last day you would spend on earth? On Halloween death is sort of mocked and made light of. Death is real. Hell is real. There are not a bunch of zombies running around trying to spook people. Joking and dressing up may be fun on this day but making sure you know Jesus is vitally important. It is my hope when each of you die your families will be able to celebrate the fact you most assuredly have gone on to meet Jesus and have one gigantic homegoing party!!

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for the promise of heaven and eternal life. Help me to be a witness to those who do not know you and share your love with them. Even as we joke about scaring people on Halloween let us not forget that hell is not a joking matter. It is real and is forever. Help me to take that seriously and help others who do not know you come into a relationship with you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link to enjoy a song of Celebration.

http://youtu.be/XV15GBkgJgs