YOUR EFFORT OR TRUST GOD?

When you feel God is not working or not working fast enough have you ever taken matters into your own hands? You probably know what the outcome of that will be. Many stories in the Bible of impatient people do not have good endings.

It is so difficult to wait and trust God. We pray, cry out to God, and yet nothing. Perhaps it is time to know God heard you and to try to put your focus somewhere else. Think of ways to help others. Write a letter to someone without access to a computer or without the knowledge of how to even use one. Find a project to get involved in. Volunteer your time somewhere. Pray for the needs of others as well. Clean your house. Go to the gym or out for a walk. These are just some ideas. I heard someone once say "Helping you is helping me" and as a matter of fact I think it might even be a book title. But it is very true. Focus on something else and do not try to play God. Bible teacher Joyce Meyer coined the term "Holy Spirit Junior" which I love and use lots.

Say you are waiting for your prayers to be answered for a family member. Maybe it is your spouse. You can not wait so you open up your mouth and say something you wish you had not. In other words tried to be his or her "Holy Spirit Junior". Not a good idea.

Today try to have your quiet time and lift up your concerns but then know you have given them to the Lord and He cares and He has as a plan. Trust Him.

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not unto your own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.' Proverbs 3:5-6(NIV)

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you hear my prayer. Thank you Lord for helping me to be patient. Forgive me Lord when all I do is worry. You want me to give my cares to you then let go. Help me as I seek to do that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: To insure you receive this email when I happen to be out of town and having computer issues you can sign up for it on my blogspot site at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com. Be blessed today!

COME ON CELEBRATE!

Celebrations are nice. We celebrate promotions, freedom, birthdays, holidays, victories, retirement,graduations,  Baptisms, new jobs, book releases, births, marriages, and even celebrate life at funerals instead of mourning the deceased. Yes we do like to celebrate.

When Jesus returns in all His  glory it will be the biggest and best celebration ever. I can not think of anyone that does not like an occasion to have a party and get together with friends.

Today marks the release of a book I have a very tiny part in but I am still super thrilled. It is a real "God thing" and I am today on my way back from Arizona where this past Sunday we prayed, dedicated,  and celebrated together with the author of the book my friend Kathe Wunnenberg and other contributors to this project. The name of the book is Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts.

I am so excited for her and this new book. It is a real thrill to know you had a teeny tiny little part that made it in. "To God Be The Glory" I say. God is so good.

He has a plan and purpose for each persons life and life indeed is to be celebrated. Just breathing each and every day is reason to celebrate. Being able to  have people who love you is reason to celebrate. Take time today and find something in your life to celebrate.

Psalm 118:24(NIV) says 'This is the day the Lord has made we shall rejoice and be glad in it.' Thank you Jesus!

PRAYER: Father I thank you for the opportunities I have each day to celebrate life and the gift of life. I thank you for the gifts and abilities you have placed within me. Help me never compare myself to someone else or get haughty if I feel what I do is more important. Keep me humble dear Lord. Thank you again Lord for another day to celebrate. In Jesus' name. Amen.

THE BIBLE IS FUNDAMENTAL

We have probably all heard the saying "Reading is Fundamental" which indeed it truly is. Without reading and knowing how to read you can not do too much else in life. The A B C's and teaching children to read from a very young age is critical to good child development.

This idea for this devotion came to me as I sat in the parking lot of the library at Redstone Arsenal. I observed parents and children there for the annual summer reading program. That is a fond memory of mine from childhood and we made certain our sons participated in things like that as well, or just did them at home with me.

Even more crucial is reading the Bible. If you are a parent reading this devotion today with babies or toddlers why not start from a very young age reading to them and read them Bible stories and the actual word of God? If you go to a baby shower why not tuck in a little book for babies and children from your local Christian bookstore? I even had a teddy bear that played the tune  "Jesus Loves Me". Take the opportunity to hide the word of God in the hearts of not only yourself but the younger generation.

2 Timothy 3:15(NIV) says 'And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.' There is not some "new parent" rule book that says that you only have to read nursery rhymes and things like that to them. I remember this one book we had about Noah's Ark I read to our two sons a great deal and it ended with "I'll never bring a flood again to cause all flesh to die and the symbol of my vow will be a rainbow in the sky." I am not sure if they still remember it, but I sure do!

What is more important? Storing nursery rhymes in your head or storing up God's word in your head. When little ones are in the church nursery what a great opportunity it would be to have the workers reading Bible stories to them. I know there are some that do.

Psalm 119:11(NIV) says 'I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.'

Start today and everyday and make sure the Bible is fundamental in your life and the life of your family. In Jesus' name. Amen.

PRAYER: Father in heaven I thank you for your word which is fundamental to good spiritual health. Every day put the desire within me to read it. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Note: Sorry for lateness of today's post but I am in Arizona and this is first chance I had today with Wi Fi. 

THE NUMBER YOU HAVE DIALED IS NOT IN SERVICE

I don't know about you, but it sure is frustrating to call a number on your phone only to receive the recorded message which says "the number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please try the number again or call your operator for assistance. This is a recording." The modern version probably does not say "dial" as today we "punch" in numbers and not "dial" them. Never the less the point is the same which basically is "sorry that person can not be reached". 

There is someone much higher and greater that can always be reached. He is never gone. He does not slumber or sleep. He is always ready day and night to come to your aid and that of course is Jesus. 

Psalm 121:3(NIV) says 'He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber.' Jesus is a 24/7 around the clock friend and counseling service. There is no toll free number you have to call to get Him. You simply call out to Him in prayer. He hears you. Hebrews 4:13(NIV) says 'Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.' Wow, isn't that great to know?

So call on God in good times and in bad times. Jeremiah 33:3(NIV) which is often called God's phone number says 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' God speaks to us through his word primarily. You can not "hear" Him if you do not make time to be still and listen for His voice. 

Today why not make it a point to get alone with God and read His word and listen to His voice. He is there waiting to hear from you.

PRAYER: Today Lord I cry out to you. I know you are waiting to hear from me each day. Sometimes I just get too busy and forget to sit down ad be still and "talk" to you in prayer but let other things squeeze you out. That makes Satan happy but you very sad. Forgive me Lord. thank you for hearing my prayers. In Jesus' name.Amen.

PRAY AS YOU GO

We all have probably heard the terminology, "pay as you go". That sort of rhymes with "pray as you go" which I find is a valuable topic to give insight on. We should be praying in season and out of season. 1 Thessalonians 5:17(NIV) reminds us to 'pray continually.' Luke 18:1(NIV) says  to 'pray and never give up.' 

Pray is simply "talking to God", that's it. No fancy language or "thee's" or " thous" are needed. Depending on what church background you were raised in you might find it difficult to "pray as you go". Maybe you are used to formally memorized and recited prayers. Try to just simply talk to God, praise His name, and give Him glory. Matthew 6:7(NIV) says 'and when you pray do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard for their many words.' In other words you do not need a theological degree to pray to God. He is our friend and He is waiting to hear from we His children around the clock. He is never off duty.

When you go about your day each day you need to try to be in an attitude of prayer. There is no need to wait till Sunday to pray in church but pray at all times. Pray driving down the road. Pray when you are walking about doing your errands. Pray when you work. Perhaps you can plan a "prayer walk" which is specifically set aside  to walk some area in need of prayer and pray quietly as walk along if you are somewhere you are able to and not draw attention to yourself. We are not to be doing is to say "Hey look at me! Aren't I great." 

How many of us tend to give up on God or get mad when things do not go as planned? Just keep doing life with God and keep praising Him and do not forget to thank Him for His answers. Jeremiah 33:3(NIV) often referred to as "God's phone number" says 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Make sure your heart is right because in Psalm 66:18(NIV) it says 'If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.' 

Is your heart right with God? Are you harboring hate, resentment, bitterness, jealously, or evil thoughts? Perhaps it is time to have a "come to Jesus moment" and get your heart right with Hi, then pray on wherever life takes you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord I love you and want to be able to not harbor bad stuff in my heart. I know sometimes there are things that crop up that Satan wants me to keep mulling over but I also know my heart needs to be right before you. Lord I confess my sin of _______________ (fill in the blank) and ask you to come into my heart and soften it and make me a new creation in Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE: There is a superb prayer ministry for ladies entitled Moms in Prayer(formerly Moms in Touch) which are moms and grandmoms praying for children and their schools, careers, or military. Check it out at www.momsinprayer.org. 

Men could no doubt benefit from their formula the Four Steps of Prayer. Check it out.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR?

Victory from an addiction? Recovery from a loss? Waiting for that military spouse or child to arrive safely home from a war zone? A prodigal child to return? Restoration of a damaged relationship? Gaining custody of a child or grandchild? Trying not to lose your home to foreclosure?

Many things in life at times make us feel hopeless. God is a hope giver. When you feel like you are hanging on to the end of your rope and just want to let go, cry out to Jesus! He cares. He loves you. He has a plan for you even though you may not feel like it at the time.

Many people are just worn out from waiting. Perhaps tired of life and wanting to give up. Satan, the enemy of our souls, would love you to give up and quit on life. He would love it if you had no desire to keep on waiting for your breakthrough.

In life things often are not easy. As an example if you are a divorced woman, through no fault of your own, all of a sudden forced to work to provide for yourself and perhaps children too, it can be very tiring. I know a few people in this situation. It is no fun for them and at the end of a day you just wish sometimes you could throw in the towel or maybe already be in paradise with Jesus.

Friend today is a new day with new hope. Lift your hands up to Jesus and praise Him for the good things in your life. Try for a moment to forget your "plight" and thank Him for what He has done and is going to do. Each day brings new hope in your life.

Psalm 147:11(NIV) says 'The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.'

PRAYER: Lord today I thank you for the good things in my life and there are many. Forgive me Lord when I have complained about things or let the enemy make me throw a pity party. I know Lord you are on my side and I have no reason to be disheartened or fear. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE: Please check out my friend author Kathe Wunnenberg's website about hope at www.hopelifters.com.

August 6 her newest book published by Zondervan will be in bookstores and is in pre sale now through Amazon. The title is Hopelifter: Creative Ways To Spread Hope When Life Hurts.

DON'T BE A FOOL!

Crazy world we are living in today. What is wrong is being called right and what is right is being called wrong. Speaking up against something in the Bible makes you "hateful". Since when did disagreeing with something imply that we hated a person? The enemy is alive and well on planet Earth my friends, doing some of his best work yet this time trying to distract Christians and have people called evil if they won't tolerate something they know is wrong. Even ministers of the gospel, rabbi's and priests may not publicly have the courage to say what is in God's word is true.

For those unaware this is occurring and think I am crazy, let me tell you, it is happening and many times endorsed by our own government. Very sad day indeed.

In an excerpt from Psalm 14:1(NIV) it says 'the fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Many movements are underway to try to get rid of "religion" or anything that has a cross or Bible verse on it. Philippians 3:18-19(ESV) says 'For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction,their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things." Does that remotely sound like today? It is going to get to a point if a Christian speaks up against evil or something that is wrong in God's eyes they may be arrested for being "hateful and intolerant'.

We know the "end of the story" so it is not necessary to sit around fearful and in a panic. We do need to be studying and equipping ourselves with knowledge of God's word. What if one day it got so bad Bibles were banned? It has happened in other places so why are we any different? Our Constitution is great only when it is obeyed and followed. Do you have enough of God's word stored up in your heart to help you through hard times that may come?

Psalm 119:11(NIV) says 'I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you.' If you are a parent, even of a newborn, you need to start now getting scripture into their tiny hearts. Every day read a Bible verse. 2 Timothy 3:15(NIV) says 'And how from infancy you have known the Holy scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.' Young moms and dads out there or grandmas and grandpas, let your children hear the word of God daily. Their life with God is more important than nursery rhymes or Sesame Street.

So do you want to be a fool or have great wisdom? I think the answer is evident. Start today and get serious about getting into the word of God.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you this day for all you have given me. Thank you for the privilege of worship and studying God's word. I pray for those who may be residing in countries where Christian radio, television, and expression is cause for arrest or even death. Lord Jesus use me as a light in the dark world around me and keep me from ever being a fool. In Jesus' name. Amen.