DISCONNECT AND REIGNITE

The world we live in of 2013, at least in the United States, needs to take a disconnect and decompress break at times. When computers run slow we freak out. When the satellite dish gets interrupted by a storm we wish for cable. If power causes things to "go down" we are beside ourselves. Look around you and observe people. How many people are humped over and have their faces stuck in their mobile device? How many drivers do you pass and see their scary addictive behavior of texting and driving? It is kind of nice to get away from all this. One of my favorite old commercials is one where a guy is in the wilderness trying to park his truck somewhere where there is not a cell phone signal. As the saying goes for one cell phone company, "More bars in more places' we sometimes need "less bars in less places and therefore more relaxed and happy faces".

The pace of life requires us to be intentional about setting aside peaceful quiet times. My favorite thing to do is go up to my favorite state park nearby and relax, pray and end with a hike. No mobile devices just me, the birds, the sky, a squirrel or two, and God.

Has anyone reading this lost their zeal for spiritual things? You just do not feel close to God or Jesus anymore or maybe never did? Church may be a drudgery for you. God wants you to have joy in your life. Maybe it is time to "reignite" the fire or passion for Jesus or light it for the first time.

To get excited about Jesus you need to make sure your heart is pure and that you are regularly reading his word. Satan does all in his power to get so many distractions around us in order to squeeze out any time for Jesus. We are so caught up in things we think are important when in effect the only thing really important is what we are doing down here for eternity. Our time on this earth is relatively short in the big scheme of things.

James 4:8 says 'Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.' To come near you need to humble yourselves before God and be sincere in seeking Him. Hebrews 3:15(NIV) says 'As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."'

My friend do you want to be able to hear from God and be able to have a calm peaceful spirit? You can. Start your day each and every day with prayer, which is simply just talking to God. Make time for Him each and every day some way. Get alone and get quiet whenever you are able to help you "reignite" that passion for things of the Lord.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you hear my prayers. At times I am so rushed that I just forget about you. I know that hurts you and makes you sad Lord.I know you have a wonderful plan for me yet at times I just ignore you. Help me as I diligently try to seek your face daily and resist the temptations the enemy throws at me to forget about you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Click link and enjoy a wonderful worship song.

http://youtu.be/JiD0_Krgbo4

RESTORATION NOT CONDEMNATION

 Are you perfect? Never ever messed up? Then if so no need to read any further. Most of us would admit we have done something stupid and not really holy at one time or another.The saying goes when you point your finger condemning someone or judging them, look out as your other fingers are left pointing back at you.

The good news is God allows second chances, third chances and even more chances to get it right. He wants you to restored, refreshed, renewed, and redeemed. Do not allow the lies of the enemy to defeat you making you feel you can not start over and get close to God. Even when human relationships fail us God is there. He loves you with an everlasting love.

1 Peter 5:10 is one of my favorite verses given to me during a hard time in my life and it says "After you have suffered a little while the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you." If that is not a verse of promise what is? 1 Corinthians 6:10-11 says "nor thieves,nor the greedy,nor drunkards, nor reviles,nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. But such were some of you but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of God." Basically this verse is warning us to not be so high and mighty thinking we have 'arrived' but let's us know God can set us free and heal our brokenness.

Let me conclude with Psalm 107:20 which says "He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction."

 Do you need a touch from God today? He is only a prayer away.

 PRAYER: Lord thank you so much for the times you are there to pick me up when I fall and you set me back on the right path. I choose to believe you and not the lies of Satan. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link to worship the Lord in song. Be blessed.
http://youtu.be/UzK5y5T5v64

GOD CAN TURN IT AROUND

 This past week, Watergate henchman and later Redeemed set free Christian, Charles Colson went to be with the Lord. Back during the Watergate scandal in the 70's you would have never thought of this man as leading a worldwide ministry but that is just what he did. He went to prison as a result of his dealings with Watergate but it was there at his lowest point that he saw his need for redemption and setting his life straight and became born again.  Once discharged from Prison he was instrumental in the founding of Prison Fellowship ministries.

 Ted Bundy, convicted rapist and killer of many young women back in the 70's, was an unsuspecting handsome law student, who no woman would have been scared to talk to. Due to his family background and exposure  to pornography  at an early age and later his full blown addiction to hard corn porn, he did not get 'enough' from the magazines and acted out things thus ending up a murderer and rapist. It was on death row in 1989 that Mr. Bundy requested an interview with then Focus on the Family founder and president Dr James Dobson. In this taped interview, later available on a DVD entitled 'Fatal Addiction', he spoke of his sorrow for what he had done and had since become a Christian but he also warned others  of the dangers of dabbling in pornography.

 By these two examples, which are pretty drastic, you can see that God can in fact use cracked and damaged material  to bring people into His kingdom. There are many examples in the Bible of vile people making a turn around as well, Saul to Paul, for instance.

Satan tries to plant lies in your head and say " well you are pretty crooked and wicked and look what you did back in high school or college." These are lies from the pit of hell. The Bible says  in 2 Peter 3:9 that "God does not wish any to perish but all to come to repentance." 1 Corinthians 3:11 reminds us "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."   It is said "the ground is level at the foot of the cross" or in other words there are not 'degrees' of sin.

Jesus says in John 8:11 speaking to the woman caught in act of adultery "Go and sin no more." He doesn't say " oh my gosh, look what you have done you despicable piece of garbage."   No in fact he says to you and to me "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest". ( See Matthew 11:28). Are you ready to accept his forgiveness and love?

PRAYER: Lord I am grateful for your undeserved mercy. Thank you for loving me even when I have turned my back on you by my actions. Father I desire to be a vessel used by you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link for a wonderful song.
http://youtu.be/aX7ucgWlusY

WHITE PICKET FENCES

 When you think of a 'white picket fence' what comes to mind? Perhaps the 'perfect little home' and family?" Do you dream of the so called perfect normal life with a cute little house with a white picket fence? Perhaps the perfect job, the perfect family and everything working out good? Who wouldn't like this, but 'things' happen in life where we suddenly are faced with making a U turn and reevaluating our plan. Sometimes we go through  rough, challenging desert experiences where our faith has a chance to grow and be tested.

 Sometimes things go against the ideal plan you had sort of envisioned for life whether it is a wayward child, a failed marriage, a job loss, an unexpected death, or a health concern. The good news is God has not abandoned you in your struggles and pain. He does care and it says in scripture in Joel 2:25 "I will restore the years the locust hath eaten...". In other words things will turn around and get better.
 Just like the Prodigal son returning to his dad's  open arms after really messing up, so God is waiting for you and your 'issue'  whatever it is. ( See Luke 11:15-32). Not very many people have a 'white picket fence' life.

 Let's say you are a parent struggling with why your children have made certain choices against their upbringing. Do not beat yourself up? Instead claim Proverbs 22:6 where it says "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it" and then release  this situation over to the Lord.

 So yes the Lord wants you to 'prosper and be in good health' as it says in 3 John 1:2  but sometimes there are some rough patches on the way to restoration and healing. Isaiah 55:8 says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are your ways my ways ,says the Lord."

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for your unconditional love for me. Thank you for your goodness and mercy. Thank you for providing for my needs. Thank you for seeing me through life and it's occasional 'tests' and never abandoning me. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link for a wonderful song to get your Saturday started.

http://youtu.be/ysrIY84Ubmc