The Four Men

He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them "Mankind" when they were created. Genesis 5:2

When I arrived at my doctor appointment for a follow up visit a few days ago I was the only female in the office. There were four men in the waiting room and everyone that came in was also male. I decided to silently pray for these men that they would be the men of God that He wanted them to be. I prayed that their families were thriving and intact. I prayed that they would be the spiritual head of their home or ask Jesus to be Lord of their life.

In our world today,men are often the butt of jokes in commercials or television shows. Sometimes they are made to look like bumbling idiots. This is wrong because God designed the man to be the strong one,the provider,the head of the house and so it goes. Many liberated women do not like this scenario but it is the way God intended it from the Garden of Eden. I did not make it up. This does not mean men are better or are to lord over women like they do in the Muslim culture, but that they are designed by God to do certain things. 

Many of the problems of our world we see on nightly news are a result of the breakdown of the family or the absence of a father figure in the home. Dads, you are important. Your kids need you regardless of their age. They need your imprint in their lives.  Your are important. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus you designed a perfect creation. It is only mankind that has messed it up. You want man to be head of the house. We know this does not mean they are better but this is plan for a good life. Help me not resent this and bring honor and respect to those men in my life and for men praying this prayer help them to be the men you called them to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

You Have Need Of Patience

Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

As I sat gazing at a lady in her van at a coffee shop, myself being inside by the register, as we both waited and waited and waited some more for our order, I simply smiled at her and shrugged. Why get upset? Our world is so much for instant everything. That is not God's way. When things don't happen fast or according to our time table it is easy to give up or get mad.

This is not what God wants. Throughout the Bible are stories of waiting. Man's way is always rushing and getting things now. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, God does not operate according to our rules. I know I am thankful for that! His plan is better and sometimes it involves waiting.

Do you have a problem with trusting God and waiting? Just as a farmer waits for a crop or lady  waits for her newborn baby, we too need to develop patience so as to not wreck God's plan.

PRAYER:Lord I am thankful for the times I learned to wait and want to forget the times I messed things up by not. Thanks for guiding me along the way. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Love People, Period!

He answered, "Love the Lord your of with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27

'Love'  is a pretty simple command but how many of us really do it? Love those who hate you. Love those who are different. Love those who don't love Jesus. Love when you don't feel like it. Love indeed, does come from a pure heart. Love is from God.

When we don't show love to those around us we are giving our enemy Satan, more fuel for his tiny little fire. He loves it when there are arguments, contentions, and disagreements. It is easy to fight and bicker but hard to forget self, be humble and show true love to all those you come in contact with.

If you are tempted to argue with someone stop for a moment, say a silent prayer, and show love when you don't feel like or. Love wins in the end.

PRAYER: I know your command is to love one another. I choose to do this even when it is hard. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Unconditional Love...Just Live It!

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7

It is so easy to love people when they are nice to us, but when we are mistreated by someone, sometimes even a family member, it is difficult to act Christlike. But guess what? We are supposed to do just that.  Sometimes when I am confronted with a situation that requires unconditional love I think to myself 'be kind Becky and overcome evil with good.' Then there is the standard 'what would Jesus do' response which is often helpful as well. 

Make up your mind that you are going to love like Jesus' loves. If you catch yourself thinking mean or revengeful thoughts pause and pray and ask for God's strength to show His love to those you are dealing with.  This could be co workers, your children, your spouse, a friend, or a total stranger.  

God's way is always the way of love. 

PRAYER: When I feel upset or angry Lord I know you understand but I know you want me to be loving and be a good example and not fuel the fires of meanness. Give me strength. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

One Boss

 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5

 How many church denominations are there in the Christian faith and why can't we all just get along? When we arrive in heaven some day we all will be one, finally! I am not sure how there ended up being so many differences within the Christian faith but thank goodness there will not be sections dividing us in heaven. We all basically are serving the same God, Jesus Christ. There is only one of Him. He is not Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and a host of others. So we have one boss so to speak, no disrespect intended.

On Earth we need to be learning to work together towards the common goal of defeating Satan and standing strong in the Lord. Satan is delighted when he can get one denomination feeling superior to others and then not even worrying about fighting spiritual warfare.  Also if the enemy can get us complacent and thinking we should not go to church as it is hypocritical then he wins again. Don't let him. My recommendation is to find a good non denominational church, and many exist in larger communities, and go and check them out. Now denominational readers do not get mad at me. Sometimes people need to go where they feel they are not being judged by a certain "religion".

No one church is better than the other. Our mission is to serve God, love God, get into the Bible, and run from Satan as he is the one causing all the division in the first place.

 PRAYER: I love you Lord and am thankful for the Christian church in the world. I thank you for being able to worship freely, at least here in America. Help me shine your love to helpless others to know you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Half Full??

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8

What kind of person are you? Do you consider the cup half full or half empty? I love Hampton Inn's encouraging words on paper cups, elevator doors and elsewhere throughout the hotel chain. This is what made me think of half full as that is what their drinking cups in rooms said. Their hotel chain has words of encouragement throughout their hotel.

A half full person is more of a positive sort and looks at things in a more promising way than say a half empty one who tends to think the worst of things and be on the doubting negative side. Even when things tend to not look hopeful I want to keep my mind positive and uplifted knowing the story is not over yet. There is always hope.

What do you need to adjust in your life to make you become a half full person?

PRAYER: Today and everyday I want to start out the day being positive and to try to turn conversations around that get negative or condemning. Help me Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.