ORANGE SUITS...PRAY DON'T CONDEMN

Most every state in America probably utilizes "good conduct" prisoners to pick up litter on the highway. When you drive by these males and females they usually are dressed in an orange jumpsuit and carry a large garbage sack. Is your first reaction to be scared? Perhaps you wrongly judge them? Maybe you are thinking they get what they deserve. Has anyone ever stopped to think maybe they need prayer?

These individuals could be incarcerated for a variety of reasons. We
know the break down of the family contributes to many crimes in
society today. But do you know a perfectly honorable person who may
never have done a bad thing in his or her life could end up there for
accidentally shooting someone or a vehicular homicide that was never
planned ? Maybe a mental health issue drove them to commit a crime.
Maybe a car wreck and someone sues. Not all are your typical hardened
criminals ending up at the mercy of the courts but those from
respectable families as well.

Next time you are going about your day and pass a group of these
individuals why not pray for them. Pray for the court system to be
fair. Pray for them to get necessary rehab or treatment. Pray for
healing in their family situation. Pray for them to come to know Jesus
in their heart. Pray for their life to be turned around. Pray also for
families they may have committed a crime against to be able to
forgive.

1 Corinthians 6:11(NIV) says 'And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.'

PRAYER: Father help me to not judge and condemn others but to truly have compassion for those who are locked up and pray their lives may be turned around. I know any person can find themselves in this situation so help me when I am driving down the road and see these prisoners to really say a prayer for them to come to know you as their savior. Keep me Lord on the right path of life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a song to start your day.

http://youtu.be/ipwEtvWL_3c


Book reading suggestion: When I Lay My Isaac Down by Carol Kent

NO MORE

There is good news for the sinner. We first of all are all sinners. It says in 1 John 1:9 (NIV) ' if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Isn't that nice to know? No more record. No more list. He has wiped our slate clean so to speak. It is only the enemy, Satan, who brings condemnation on us. Once you asked God for forgiveness then let it go. If constant thoughts come in your head then your mind needs to be renewed with a good dose of the word of God. Reading the word keeps the lies of Satan out. He said He remembers them NO MORE and He means NO MORE.

When you take a bath to wash dirt off your body the dirt is gone. You can take a spiritual "mind" bath as well and cleanse yourself from the filth of the world. Confessing sin is that "bath." When Jesus caught the woman in the act of adultery in John 8:11(KJV) he said 'Go and sin NO MORE.'

There you have it. Once you are forgiven you are to try to not fall back into sin but it says in Psalm 103:12 'As far as the East is from the West that is how far He has removed our sins from us!' Believe it my friend and go and 'Sin No More!'

PRAYER: Father sometimes it is easy to have things I did wrong to come back to my memory. I know you have forgiven me so I need to forgive myself. Help me Lord to do that and not dwell on faults and failures. I know Lord you are a righteous and forgiving God and full of compassion. Thank you for forgiving my sins. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/xPonvq5SbrA

JESUS LOVES SINNERS

 

We are all sinners and our righteousness is like filthy rags.(See Isaiah 64:6). Romans 3:23 reminds us that " All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Yes indeed we are all sinners saved by grace it says in Ephesians 2:8.

Here in the year 2012 many commit sin and do not think it is sin. For instance, two men or two women wanting to be married is not part of God's design. He created males and females to fall in love and reproduce but with the opposite sex. Satan has deluded men's minds to believe a lie. God did not intend for a man to be in love with another man or a woman with a woman. Mankind has become blinded and desensitized. Many Christians are caught in this trap of the enemy thinking they were born that way but that is a lie from the pit of hell. Also taking the life of an unborn child in the name of 'women's rights' is just not right. God created all life whether it is convenient or desired and all life is to be respected, not snuffed out at an abortion clinic. (Read Psalm 139). Sexual relations with your girlfriend or boyfriend before marriage is wrong. Looking at pornography is wrong and can have devastating consequences. Stealing is wrong even if it is something as innocent as an ink pen from work. Lying is wrong for Christians. Gossip is not right either. I am sure you can add to the list. The first four mentioned have more dire emotional consequences but all sin is wrong. One is not the 'worst' one. The good news is we can be set free and forgiven!!

God desires holiness. Ask yourself if what you are doing is holy.If God were to come to your home today would He be pleased with the TV shows you are watching or the books on your shelf? Would it be necessary to hide some magazines that were not appropriate for the King of Kings to look at? Perhaps you would have to go search for your Bible to make it look like you read it? Colossians 3:5 tells us to put to death the desires of the earthly nature.

Isaiah 5:20 says "Woe to them who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." In 2012 we find ourselves under attack from the enemy like never before. Many people coast along through life and do not see any danger. That makes Satan happy as he has them blinded and fooled. Many are not convicted of things happening in this world as being wrong. Another victory for Satan when this occurs.

Do not harden your heart towards God. If you are caught up in a sin and know you are, run to Jesus who can heal, deliver you and set you free. You can be forgiven. Do not allow the enemy to put thoughts in your head that you are okay and God is okay with what you are doing. Do not twist scriptures to justify an unholy life. Jesus can forgive so let Him!!

1 Corinthians 6:11 reminds us "And this is what some of you were, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God."

PRAYER: Lord God I know I am not perfect. Help me be alert to the enemies attacks in my life. keep me from believing a lie of the devil. Help me Lord to order my day so as to spend time with you. I pray for any friends or family members caught up in a lie as well. I want to stay on the path you have planned for me and resist Satan. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord with an awesome uplifting song.

http://youtu.be/ipwEtvWL_3c

WE ALL HAVE MESSED UP

Yes it is true. Even the seemingly most perfect individual on earth has messed up in some way one time or another. Remember only Jesus is perfect. You there in your 'holy huddle' thinking you are so wonderful as you trot off to church each week. Do you live for Christ when you exit the church doors or do you start gossiping, judging, backbiting, condemning, fault finding and all the rest? What good did church even do for you other than punch your religious obligation card if you act like a creature of the world when you leave?

We humans can be good at judging. Maybe it makes us feel better about ourselves but all of us have some sort of junk in our lives. No matter what it is God can restore, redeem, and rebuild a broken life. He is the God of restoration and second chances.The story is not over yet . He does not throw you out on a garbage pile and say "Well you did a horrible thing. Shame on you!" That is what Satan wants you to feel. Satan will condemn you and lie to you. But God loves you no matter what. He is standing with his arms open wide and saying "Come child". Matthew 11:28 tells us "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

1 Corinthians 6:11 says "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." God can heal broken lives and put the pieces back together  no matter what it is you have done. When you are at your lowest point and the world will not show mercy Gods' grace and mercy are there. You are not worthless and God has a plan for your life and He uses both the good and the bad to get you to where he wants you.  So when humans get in your face and judge you just say to yourself "I am redeemed, I am set free, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus" and finally "No weapon formed against me shall prosper".  (Isaiah 54:17).

PRAYER: Father I thank you for loving me and forgiving me when I have fallen short and messed up. Help me to not listen to the lies of the enemy when he tries to bring condemnation and guilt upon me. Father you have come into my life and set me free and for that I thank you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link and be blessed with a song of praise and worship.
http://youtu.be/ycknXVDCYQ0