THE FLY AWAKENED ME

Have you heard of people getting messages from God in dreams or other ways? Well a couple weeks ago a common housefly woke me up by continually landing on my face. It was very annoying. After this happened numerous times and many failed attempts to fall back to sleep, a Bible verse came to me about overcoming evil and good and evil being in the world. I can not recall the exact verse, but it prompted me to write on good and evil as when I finally got up I was thinking "overcome evil with good." I can not recall ever waking up to a Bible verse like that before. It indeed was rather bizarre.

So I can thank that annoying house fly for giving me an idea. The housefly itself reminded me of the pesky annoyance of bad junk in our lives. It kind of reminds me of Hebrews 12:1(NIV) which says '

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.' Some versions use the word "beset" in place of entangle, but that word "entangle" really is a word picture. A person can get all tangled up in sin until they are trapped. Think of being in a jungle or in a bunch of weeds and with no clear path how easy it would be to get stuck or "entangled" in a the underbrush. I have prayed the prayer before that Jesus would help "detangle" a situation someone was in as only Jesus can, and I have seen Him do it. I believe is was my friend Stephanie who I first heard coin this creative word. Jesus can indeed "detangle" a person from a trap that the enemy has laid for them. Do you need a fly to wake you up to give you a reminder about something? Can you recognize and run away from evil or sin that has kept you "tangled" up? Turn to God. He is the great "detangler" and indeed can help you run your race to win. PRAYER: Lord Jesus I know the enemy sets traps he wants me to fall into it. I will keep my eyes on you so I am not tripped up. Keep my eyes wide own to the schemes of the evil one as I focus only on you. In Jesus' name. Amen. Click on link for awesome song of praise: http://youtu.be/BJ4jOX6f_1s

MARKETING GIMMICKS

Have you ever heard the saying "if something seems too good to be true
it probably is." Advertising giants prey, it seems, on glowing words
and fancy packaging. It is not always women who get sucked into this
trap as men can fall victim to sleek ads as well. One thing I always
try to remember to ask myself is "Want or need" or in other words do you really need what it is someone is trying to sell. The shopping networks on television have non stop
"too good to be true" ads. It takes determination and self control to resist these sales pitches.

Satan is a good one at throwing things at you too and making you feel like nothing bad will happen or no one is going to find out. He is a trickster and a deceiver. He wraps sin in pretty packages and does not include in these packages what to do in case of an emergency, or in case of a life led astray.

2 Corinthians 11:14(NIV) says 'And no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.' He lures you then traps you in a web of sin. In order to break free it is necessary to know the word of God and claim its' promises such as in Isaiah 54:17(NKJV) which says 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment,You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.'

Isaiah 5:20(NLT) says 'What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.'

Are you discerning and wise or easily led into sin traps? Start today and make it a practice to start your day with prayer and Bible reading asking God to go before you and make your path straight.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for convicting me of sin in my life. Forgive me Lord when I have allowed Satan to enter my thoughts. I know my true strength and power to resist is from you and you alone. In Jesus' name. Amen.

HOME RUN FOR JESUS

 

With the recent April and May release of the awesome movie "Home Run" I was thinking of how in baseball it is so exciting when someone hits a home run. Out of the park it flies. The crowds go wild with excitement as they cheer their favorite team on. I have lived in three big baseball cities those being Cincinnati, St Louis, and Phoenix. I had the pleasure to go to several games and it is quite fun and thrilling.

Living for Jesus we are working to hit a "home run" too. Our "home run" is living for the Lord and going to heaven is the ultimate "home run". Our "Home Run" is conquering struggles in our life through the power of Jesus.

Are you presently living for Jesus and trying to grow closer to Him or is He only a passing thought in your day? Does your day start with prayer and Bible reading? Are you in a growing dynamic church that brings you closer to the Lord or is Sunday "your day" for relaxation? Do you just go to church because you "have to"? Are you doing those things in life to help you hit a "home run" for Jesus? Are you trying to fight battles on your own power?

2 Timothy 2:15(NASB) says 'Be diligent to present yourself to God, as one approved, a workmen who need not be ashamed, and who correctly handles the word of truth.' Study God's word. Know that He can rescue and set you free from whatever it is in life that has you stuck in a rut. He loves you more than anything.

PRAYER: Come into my heart today Lord Jesus. I am tired of fighting battles alone and living a defeated life. I know with your power inside of me I can stand strong against anything the enemy throws my way. I choose to hit a "home run" for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below and find out if Home Run is showing in your area.

www.homerunthemovie.com/

This link below can help you get on the right road to recovery.

Www.celebraterecovery.com

A NOTE TO REMEMBER

A few days ago while taking a walk in a park I looked down and saw a
scrap of paper and was going to be a good citizen to pick it up and
throw it in a trash can. Being curious, I first glanced at this little

note and it simply said "nice butt. Look but don't touch". Now I hope
I have not offended anyone reading this but I found it rather comical
that maybe some young man had been out there on the walking path and
had a reminder to himself in order to not let temptation get the best
of him. Since I was on the "love month" I decided to use this as a

opportunity to speak of what love was not. Was this one of those "God
things"? Who knows.

Love is not lusting after someone. This little reminder I found that

was written on a post it note was probably someone dealing with a

temptation or an addiction perhaps. It is hard to say, but in the
Bible in Matthew 5:28(NIV) it says 'But I tell you whoever looks at a

woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his
heart.' Adult magazines should be treated like poison to include the
type that make a homosexual man lust after other men, which is totally
not okay either. This is a real problem and unfortunately Christians
are not exempt so need to be on their guard. If you suffer from this

problem ask God to help you. Get into Christian counseling or find a
trusted accountability partner to confide in. There are filters for
your computer such as "Covenant Eyes" which would be a good investment
for someone with this temptation that is so strong they can not
control it.

The enemy can have a hey day in 2013 with quick access to online porn,
adult movie channels in hotel rooms, adult magazines and even more
acceptable magazines such as "Sports Illustrated Annual Swimsuit"
issue which still has nudity inside it's pages. If you subscribe to

"Sports Illustrated" for your preteen and teen children or husband my

recommendation would be to keep an eye out for this issue. Satan puts
all types of "eye candy" out there to lead people astray. You do not
hear that much about women and these sort of problems, but they aren't
exempt. 1 Peter 5:8(NIV) says 'Be self controlled and alert because
your enemy the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking
someone to devour.'Satan is constantly scheming of ways to destroy

Christians and this lust issue is a big one. Just look at TV today and
the movies. "Plugged In Online" is a good resource for seeking good
entertainment choices for the family.

Amos 5:14(NLT) says 'Do what is good and run from evil, that you may
live! Then the Lord God Almighty will truly be your helper just as you
have claimed He is!'. In Proverbs 5:18(NIV) speaking to men it says
'May your fountain be blessed and may you rejoice in the wife of your
youth.' Plainly put, love your wife and keep your eyes from

wandering.Run from anything that is evil before Satan snares you in
its' trap.

Let me end with this verse from 1 Corinthians 10:13(NIV) which says
'No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is
faithful and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted He will also provide a way of out so you can
stand up under it.' God is able to help so just call on Him.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus you created all things and among those are the
beauty of mankind. Help me Lord stay away from TV shows, movies,
books, magazines or anything that would entice lust within me. I can
do all things with your help. In Jesus name. Amen.

EVIL AND GOOD/RIGHT AND WRONG

Today in our world many are getting mixed up, to include Christians.
We are to be set apart and stand for righteousness and truth. The
Bible is being twisted to justify blatant sins. Take homosexual
marriage for instance. It is wrong. Marriage is a man and a woman.
That is God's design. But a few states have legalized same sex unions.
The traditional family is the backbone of our society. We are to pray
for deliverance for those persons caught up in this lie from the
enemy. We are not to hate and judge.

Isaiah 5:20(NIV) says 'Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put butters for
sweet and sweet for bitter."

Have you ever heard the saying " If you are not part of the solution,
you are part of the problem"? Simply put if you see or hear of God's
word being trampled on in the public square it is your moral duty to
speak up in love and say something. Another familiar phrase is "Evil
triumphs when good men do nothing." (Sir Edmund Burke). When you see
something wrong do you just say 'oh well this is the 21st century' or
do you speak out against the immoral evils in our world today?

Irreverent, coarse, vulgar humor is readily accepted and sometimes
even by Christians. The recent blockbuster motion picture release
"Lincoln" did not have crude humor in it but it did have the actor
portraying President Lincoln taking the Lord's name in vain numerous
times. Why? Les Miserables is a wonderful musical but why did they
have to add implied sex scenes? Part of the story you say? Some of
today's most popular comedians make it a practice to "push the
envelope" and perhaps see nothing wrong with some of the things they

say. Prayer is needed for our movie and TV industry and many of its'

personnel. (www.mastermediaintl.org). We as Christians do not need to
run around like a monk or self righteous but we need to be lights in
the darkness around us. Satan is a great deceiver who has tricked
many. He hates the freedom we have here in our United States and has
infiltrated the government to try to eradicate it and any mention of
Jesus. He hates Christian nations.

Our nation and it's people are becoming desensitized to evil and
sinful behavior. What is wrong is being called right and what is right
is being called wrong. Today is your day to make a difference. It is a
new year, a new beginning, and new day to start standing up for what
is in God's word and to set yourself apart from evil. Pray for
discernment and opportunities to be a light for Him.

PRAYER: Lord I choose to be a light for you in the world around me.
Give me a holy boldness to speak the truth in love. I ask for
protection from the tricks of the enemy. I pray for your name to be

lifted high in America and in the entire world. In Jesus name, Amen.

 Reading Assignment: 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2

DO LOVE JESUS AND DO HATE SIN

If you happen to have children, no matter what their age, there is a prayer that can be prayed for them. Pray that they love the things Jesus loves and hate the things He hates. Jesus loves the sinner but hates the sin. In this world we have many opportunities to fall into sin and the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. That is why it is essential that if you claim to know the Lord to stay rooted and grounded in the word of God. Pray this same prayer for yourself saying "Lord help my heart be broken by what breaks yours. Convict me of my sin."

Lately many seem to be writing their own rules for sin. A certain part of the Bible rubs you the wrong way then simply ignore it. For instance in the Bible it clearly states marriage is between one man and one woman and yet many, some even in Christian circles, choose to believe otherwise, and do not seek to learn the truth or be set free if they are caught in Satan's deceptive trap.

Others who claim to love the Lord may see nothing wrong with killing innocent babies in the mother's wombs in the name of "choice". What about the babies choice? Isn't it God's creation you are snuffing out? Killing a baby is not health care or a choice. It is murder!

We are told to not lust yet how many regularly attend movies with half naked women which insight lust? We are to use pure speech but once again the type of entertainment you may regularly choose to attend may take the Lord's name in vain or spew forth cursing like you would never repeat or should not repeat.

The thing is, we can not lead a "double agent" life for the Lord. Is what you are doing Holy? Really truly ask yourself that. Do not be so deceived by the lies Satan throws out that you can not clearly see right from wrong and good from evil. Satan is a master at warping minds and deceiving the masses. Would you be ashamed if the Lord were to walk in on your activity? Think about that because guess what? He is with you all the time. Sin is sin, there is no compromise. But there is forgiveness and redemption. There is a saying 'the ground is level at the foot of the cross' meaning no matter how vile the sin God has not classified them into a "sin scale".

Luke 10:27(NIV) reminds us' Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.' When you love someone you seek to please them and bring joy to them? Does your life bring joy or sorrow to our Lord?

Today if you know you are caught in a trap of deception that Satan has laid out for you stop right now and call out to Jesus. He is there to set you free.

PRAYER: Lord God forgive me for secret sins and those not so secret. Help me to learn to run the race to win and casting off works of darkness. Help me to not think to myself, 'I am not so bad'. Father I choose this day to truly seek to lead a life that pleases you and to not judge others. That is our job. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for a powerful song of redemption and freedom.
http://youtu.be/-08YZF87OBQ

COMPLACENCY 101

 Freedoms of all sorts are being threatened in our wonderful nation today. You name the freedom and there is a plot of sorts or talk about the government running it and controlling us. When we sit back in our cushy homes, driving our fancy cars, eating out in nice restaurants, going out to plays and movies, and shopping at the mall it is hard to possibly fathom this could happen. But it can. Think of the Germany of World War 2. Enough said.

 Freedom is a gift from God. Even the freedom to worship God and read our Bibles out in the open is taken for granted I am sad to say. In many nations Christians have to smuggle the word of God in and risk death for saying the name of Jesus. You say, "that can't happen here" oh but it can. Especially those who enjoy the freedom to go to church each week should not be silent. You can speak up in love to your representative and voice your opinion and concern. On some college campuses today Christian clubs are being banned and the students First Amendment rights are being violated. You do not just sit there and expect someone else to call or write the letter. There is a saying "evil happens when good men do nothing."

 Other examples would be trying to get questionable pornographic magazines off the shelves of stores or at least require them to be behind the counter so innocent eyes do not gaze upon the nudity on the cover. Speak up when a hotel chain decides to not carry the Holy Bible which Gideon's places at no charge. Let your voice be heard when unacceptable things are on prime time television. Call a billboard company to protest a inappropriate billboard. I am sure you can think of many more examples.Sad to say many seem to get to the point immorality does not even seem to phase them. Seemingly we are so used to the junk on TV, in magazines, and at the movies that we become hypnotized and desensitized. It is time for all of us to wake up.I do not know if this verse applies or not but I still think it is good. I 'accidentally' came across it in my quiet time. In Isaiah 3:12 it says " O my people! Can't you see what fools your rulers are? Weak as women! Foolish as little children playing king. True leaders? No misleaders! Leading you down the garden path to destruction." Look to the Lord and look to him only.

 The latest buzzword is 'tolerance'. We are supposed to tolerate things that are against our beliefs but yet others seemingly want us to put up with things that go against what the Bible teaches. The latest push to normalize homosexual and lesbian behavior and marriage goes totally against the Bible. Yet this push to accept it and even force some ministers to marry same sex couples or be sued, is afoot. According to my Bible God never intended for two men to get married or two women. Others say" well they love each other so why not?" What is next, normalizing pedophilia? When Christians speak up, those on the opposing side throw around the word 'hate' and claim we hate those engaged in certain lifestyles. There is not hatred but there is immense concern. Keep in mind what Romans 3:23 says and that is " all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." That  is right, all of us!! We are to show love and grace in all situations. And be careful to think you will never slip and fall so to speak because we are all born with a sin nature.

The point is, do not say getting involved or speaking up is someone elses job. It is sad when people become lethargic in a sense and just coast through life with hardly a care when things are not going that well around them. Many Christians simply go to church and get in their holy social circles and do nothing more. The world around them is in a moral free fall and crumbling yet  it apparently  does not bother them.

Proverbs 14:34 says "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." The trouble is we have justified sin and not heeded what is in God's word. Where are you at today? Are you concerned about America? Do you spend time in God's word and know the truth? Do you speak up against evils in society? Are you praying for this nation and its' leaders? It is time for all of us to wake up and not be sucked into a immoral cesspool. Satan is having a hey day when evil is so readily accepted and condoned in this nation. It is time for all Christians to do their part.

1 Peter 1:13-16 says "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,   set your hope   on the grace to be brought to you   when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.   As obedient   children, do not conform   to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.   But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;   for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy."

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me not turn my head and ignore evils in society. Help me speak up in love to combat what is wrong and against your word. Help me not just be a Sunday Christian but to lead a life pleasing to you being Christlike in all I say and do. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link to worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/1ceVSyfNkkk








YouTube - Videos from this email

CONFESS AND REPENT

When we have done something wrong or sinful, in our time of prayer we need to confess that to God or else our line of communication for prayers will become muddled and disconnected.

Confess means to say you did something wrong and repent is a turning away and running from that sin. Get away from what is dragging you down and keeping you from a closer walk with Jesus. Inside of everyone is a little voice, the Holy Spirit, convicting us of what is wrong. Some choose to go their own way foolishly ignoring that conviction of sin. Scripture says "there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end is death."( Proverbs 14:12).

Psalm 66:18 tells us "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened". This verse speaks loud and clear. If you are hanging on to some sin, and cherishing it, then the prayers  you utter may be falling on deaf ears. You can not sin willfully and expect God to just say "Well okay".

We all have sinned. (See Romans 3:23). Sin is sin, period! Do not start feeling you are better because your sin "is not as bad as his sin". Watch out having a haughty attitude like that. Pray that you not be led into temptation in the first place. (Mark 14:38). We all will mess up sometime in our lives and God is there ready to listen to your prayers and your cry for forgiveness. Proverbs 28:13 says "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Here once again we see that if we are intentionally hiding sin then we lose communication with God.

 Running the race to win includes running away from things that so easily beset us as scripture says in Hebrews 12:1. Turn away, ask God to forgive you, then if necessary do a lifestyle change or a friend change to get away from what is pulling you down. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says "wicked friends lead to evil."

It is hard in the world we live in as we are bombarded by so much and even our own government, which was originally set up using the Bible as a guide, has turned its back on some sins and made them acceptable and penalizes those who do not agree or accept them. I am referring to same sex marriage and abortion. God will not continue to bring his blessings on this land unless we turn away from sin and turn back to Him. Many within the church turn a deaf ear to sins they feel are 'okay'.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says "if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven will forgive their sin and heal their land."

It is time in our personal life that we ask God to give us strength to stay on his path and turn away from influences that tear us away from Him.

 PRAYER: Lord I am sorry when I do things I know does not please you. Even things as simple as gossip, small 'white lies', judging others, holding resentment or anger in my heart, are all not pleasing to you. I choose this day to stay on the path of godliness and I pray for those in my family not listening to you to recognize it and run from evil. Help me be a good witness for you and be alert to sin. In Jesus Name.Amen.

Click on link and worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/tcuiuIwtpa4