FREEDOM IS INDEED NOT FREE

Younger people in these United States may not quite grasp the meaning of this day, Pearl Harbor Day! The "greatest generation" as author Tom Brokaw referred to them in his book by same title. In this country we enjoy a unique freedom and prosperity like no other nation. There have always been enemies even within our own country trying to threaten to take this freedom away. This is occurring even now as that is what the creation of the grassroots Tea Party was all about.

The men and some women who gave their lives in not only World War II but in every major battle through the years did not give die so citizens could be controlled and dominated by a dictator. Our country is run "by the people" or so it is supposed to be. Even citizens have the right to speak up and to petition Congress. We are indeed blessed. Do not take this right for granted or the right to worship and read your Bible openly. If evil starts to take over and no one speaks out then we are in huge trouble. Our God does indeed reign and rule on high but we still need to do our duty to save this great nation.

Freedom is lost if citizens do not get on their knees and pray and also do their part to participate in their government while they still can. Galatians 5:1(NIV) says 'For freedom Christ has set us free;stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.' Slavery happens when the people do not stand up for the God given freedom we have in Christ. God is the one who allows certain people to be in power. We do not know why especially when it comes to those such as Hitler. Ultimately Jesus is Lord over all and He has a plan.

2 Chronicles 7:14(NIV) says 'if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' You may not be a soldier but you are a soldier for Christ so do your part for freedom.

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for the gift of freedom. Many countries are under domination by tyrants and dictators who try to control the people. We have let that seep in here somewhat so Lord lift us up and help your purposes occur. Help us to speak up against evil. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BAD JUNK

Do you often worry? Are you jealous? Do you feel anger or resentment? How about bitterness? Do you judge others? Do you often get your feelings hurt?  Maybe it is time to "put to death" the bad junk in your life and embrace the good side of life. The enemy, Satan, wants us to be all caught up with negative thinking and  negative emotions. How can  we possibly praise and glorfiy God when our hearts and minds are focused on bad junk? 

Put off and put on is what you have to do. Similar to dressing each day and undressing at end of day you put on and take off. As comedian Kevin Nealon so aptly put it in a comedy sketch "Harness the good, release the bad." Not bad advice from a secular comic. 

     Colossians 3:8-10(NIV) says  'But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.' Take off all that "bad junk" and replace it with godly things.

PRAYER: Today I choose to put on good things in my life and get rid and take off those things that keep me apart from you. Things like talking hateful, judging, condemnation and rudeness or gossip. Help me Lord as I seek to "dress" daily for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER

 

God's love, not the 1970's era singers "Captain and Tennille's" love is what keeps us together. They sang a catchy song "Love Will Keep Us Together". The true meaning of love, is not something conjured up by Hollywood or the music industry. Love is more than romance, although in a marriage that is extremely important to keep the marriage strong.

Love is selfless. Love is kind. Love thinks of others first. Love is giving. Love is sharing. Love is sacrifice. We can have love for a husband or wife or love for a friend or family member. Love forgives and forgets.

God's love for us is unconditional. In others words, no matter what you do or how you act He is there. As humans we too are to emulate this but sadly many marriages end up in a "rock pile" because God's love by both partners was not followed. Even many friendships falter when one friend is not willing to forgive and forget. Family relationships are fractured or the same reason.

Romans 5:8(NIV) says 'But God demonstrates His own love of us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'

Imagine that! Dying for others. That indeed is true love demonstrated to the utmost. Now go and make a point to show His love today.

PRAYER: It is my desire to love unconditionally and with a pure heart. The hardest time to love is when someone does not love back. Help me Lord to keep on showing love regardless. In Jesus' name. Amen.

MAINTAINING

 

Life requires maintenance. Our cars need regular care to run properly.Our bodies need proper food, rest, and exercise to stay healthy. Our spiritual life needs daily work to stay strong in The Lord. Marriages need to maintain that "in love" feeling by remembering what made you fall in love. It may be necessary to mend a garment of clothing before it falls apart. You get the idea.

In relationships time together is critical. Value each other, respect each other, forgive if necessary, put the other truly first, show honor, display kindness, and leave God in the equation. If you do these things your relationship should grow and you should become closer not further apart.

Colossians 3:14(ESV) says 'And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.' Love, selfless love, truly does want the best for the one they love. Being this kind of person will surely make for a relationship that is maintained by God above.

PRAYER: It is my desire to show your love to friends, family, the one I love and to those I daily make contact with. I choose to maintain myself by keeping you in the center. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: Finish reading all of Colossians chapter 3.

AH HA MOMENTS

 Ah ha moments, we probably have all had them. The time something finally "clicks" and you are able to grasp something or see its' purpose.

There may be many sitting in churches and synagogues week after week who do it simply out of duty or because that is what their families taught then was the "right" thing to do. Maybe they assume by doing their "church" duty weekly that when they die, off they will go to heaven. There really not been an "ah ha" spiritual moment in their lives. They are not really excited about Jesus or desire to get to know Him more by reading His word,The Bible. This person is content just going through the motions each Sunday then the other 6 days are normal. They may feel those who "do church" on other days are a little over the top.

My "ah ha" moment came on 19 March 1975 when I became "born again" and re dedicated my life to the Lord. It did not mean I would never have problems or sin but I asked Jesus to truly be Lord of my life and for once got excited about reading my Bible. If you have not had that "ah ha" moment I pray it comes for you.

Matthew 7:21( NIV) says 'Not everyone who says to me "Lord Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven but only the one who does the will of my Father which is in heaven.'

Where is your heart today? Church is not the gateway to heaven but knowing Jesus is. My prayer is all reading this make Jesus Lord of their lives. This may even mean changing churches to do so. Why not ask Him to be Lord of your life today?

PRAYER: Lord I need you every hour not just one hour on Sunday. Forgive me for not giving you first place in my heart and life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TAMING THE TONGUE, PART 100

Misunderstandings often occur in life as a result of words spoken at the wrong time or misunderstood. Perhaps words are said that would have been left best unspoken. Indeed the tongue is "full of poison" like it says in James Chapter 3. Maybe you do not have a problem in this area but take a moment and read it anyway.

Words can make us or break us. All of life basically proceeds out of the mouth. The tongue can cause problems if it lies, talks back, meddles, gossips, betrays, hurts, or speaks out in anger. The mouth we have should be used to bless, not curse. It should praise, not condemn. It should speak truth, not lies.

A couple of the fruits of the spirit(Galatians 5:22-23) come into play in controlling the tongue and they are patience and self control. Patience, to think and wait before you speak and self control, in discipline of your thoughts and mouth.

Psalm 19:14(KJV) is a good verse to end with. It simply says "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight oh Lord my strength and my redeemer.'

PRAYER: Father God it is my desire to please you in all areas of life. The tongue is one of the hardest things to tame. It is so easy to speak without thinking of how it will affect people. Forgive me when I have hurt someone and help me forgive others who have hurt me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LEARNING AND GROWING

 The other day I was testing my knowledge and skills on an new ap on my IPAD. Typically when people start to get older they often do not want to embrace technology and stay stuck in a rut of sorts. In the ever changing world it is good to keep up with things so you can relate to the world and to the younger generation.

It is God who gifts us with the capacity to learn and think. He has given us a wonderful gift. That is our brain. Each person is gifted in different ways. Even those who some feel the world "short changed" due to mental deficiencies have a plan and purpose in God's kingdom.

God does not want us to fear things and that includes learning new things. Often in life those over 60 may feel their days of learning are over. To stay young keep reaching ahead and keep trying new things. Make positive thoughts a part of each day. Count your blessings not your kidney stones. Do not awaken and start "confessing" how sick you are or how old you are but instead get up and start the day by saying Phillipians 4:13(NIV) which says 'I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." That skydiving trip still is on my bucket list. What is on yours?

PRAYER: The opportunity to learn and achieve and grow is never ending. I thank you that at any age there are many things to enjoy and try. I thank you Lord for those people you place in my path, both young and older, to teach me new things. I choose to be positive and seek to look to you for help in moving up and moving on. In Jesus' name.Amen.