Time For God?

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30(NIV) 

How does your day begin? Maybe grab the newspaper or turn on the news. Next hop in the shower, check Facebook, then eat and off you go. Is time alone with God in there anywhere? Why is it it is so easy to do everything else but the one thing to help us grow spiritually we neglect. Many are great church members but after that one or two hours each Sunday sort of put God on the shelf for the next six days. This makes Satan so gleeful as he can trick you into thinking Sunday is enough. Believe me, there are many people who go to church who are no different than the world. There are many in church who do not really know Jesus. Perhaps they have been tricked into believing Sunday church attendance is the thing to do. Oh my goodness, doing anything else is fanatical.

 I am happy to say I am a fanatic! I wasn't always. I too was like that. I thought my childhood baptism and joining church was enough. I found out otherwise and on 19 March 1975 became a "new creature" and born again. Do you want to grow closer to Christ! Spend time with Him. He is there waiting for you. 

PRAYER: I need you in my life not just on Sunday but 24/7 around the clock. Forgive me for making excuses. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Love Wins

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12(NIV)

A few days ago I saw a bumper sticker that simply said "Love Wins". What a great topic to write about I thought! Much wisdom can come from both church signs and some bumper stickers. Love, in fact, does win in the end. Songs sing about "what the world needs now is love, sweet love" and indeed we would be much better off if everyone could truly love like Jesus loved.

Since the fall of man there has been hatred and evil. It is found everywhere. Believers in Christ are to help combat that in our world but some of us get sucked in to hating, backbiting, gossiping, judging, condemning, and a host of other unloving activities. Why? Because of a sin nature. But, if each day we rise up out of bed and say "Lord help me to show your love to all I meet today" then things might improve. In Romans 12:21(NIV) we are told 'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.'  When someone hurts you and you feel like getting back at them instead try to love.

PRAYER: Love can lift a person out of despair. I know there are those who need some of your love Lord. Use me to show this love to others. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Help Me Lord!

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.Psalm 34:18

Some hurts feel like they will never go away. Death of a loved one, rejection by a friend, being fired, divorce, regrets,  betrayal, estrangement from a family member, failure at a task. Whatever it is you are dealing with God does care. The rejection by a friend is an issue I have had to deal with and it is very hurtful and confusing. I know people cut off from a family member who refuses to let then into their life. I can not even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child but have had friends who have walked that awful path. 

At times many blame God on their hurts. Guess what? That is the enemies mind game making you feel God could have stepped in, after all he is God. All I know is God can work through situations and bring you hope for tomorrow. If you have shut Him out of your life why not ask Him to forgive you. God is not responsible for the bad junk in your life. Get on your knees and cry out to Him. Ask Him to help you mend your broken heart. He will.

PRAYER: Another day is here and another day to experience comfort only you can give. Thank you for hearing my cries and being there at all times. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Famous Faces

  And all we who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His image with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is The Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17(NIV)

A few weeks ago while waiting on a flight in Huntsville I thought I saw a gentleman who looked like actor Ricky Gervais. For those who do not know him he is in the upcoming Muppet movie releasing this spring. This is only little old Huntsville, Alabama but it is possible a celebrity could be in our midst. I saw his face and it turned out to not be him but he could have been his stunt double.

Why are some people so caught up by "famous people"? Concert halls are packed out to see Taylor Swift or Tim McGraw. Why aren't we as excited about the King of kings and Lord of lords? He is the most famous ever. These people who are mega talented got their gifts from God and still put their pants on the same way we do. We are not to be idolizing them, but we do. Look at the sales of celebrity magazines. Why do we care? 

I challenge you to turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face!

PRAYER: It is my desire to start looking to you more than to look up to "famous people". Forgive me when I give more attention to fame than to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Rich Man?

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17(NIV)

Money worries can consume a person. The cure for some is to get a credit card or play the lottery. That certainly will end problems. Not! Some get desperate and go to illegal measures to obtain wealth. You can always be sure your sins will indeed find you out. 

The Bible speaks allot about money. It tells us not to trust in riches. Many times a person may feel secure then a job loss, unexpected medical bill, or stock market crash can cause them to lose it all. If you rely on wealth for security what happens when the cash is not there?  God indeed takes care of the "birds of the air" so He will provide for us. We are not to be desirous of another’s riches but to work hard to get our own. Somewhere the Bible talks about not being lazy and providing for your own household as well. 

Be able to get to a point where you have true joy whether in a mansion or a tent.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the many blessings in my life. Help me not complain about things I do not have as I have you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Potholes

Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12(NIV)

 In life there will be bumps in the road where maybe you just feel you are not doing the right thing. You try and try and things seem to not change. When I am driving and do not see a pothole up ahead then all of a sudden, kerplunk, I crash right into it, I feel a sense of frustration at myself. Why can't the road crews do a better job fixing these things you might think. This is often how we might feel when things are not going the way we wish they would. It is like life is one big "pothole" and we keep driving right into it.

God is there beside you all the way, even when you fall into these little holes. He wants you to be strong in these situations and uses them in a way to prepare you for even more things that may happen. He is not bringing these bad things into your life but in the end they can indeed strengthen you.

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord when I have whined and complained about bad things that may happen to me. Help me to be able to praise you no matter what because I know you are with me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Never Underestimate The Power of Tomorrow

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4:25(NIV)

Has there ever been a  time in your life when you just simply were overwhelmed? I know there have been many times for me. A project is due and you may feel there is just no way you can have it done. Often times in college I felt that way especially if I had waited until the very last moment to do a paper. This  feeling can overcome housewives, Fortune 500 executives, students, ministers, and everyone in between. Our enemy,satan, likes to take advantage of moments like this when we allow circumstances or others opinions to get us fixated on defeat or failure. We must not allow him to get our thoughts captivated on the past or things that are in the future.

A simple message on a church sign gave me today's title. It makes a lot of sense. Tomorrow there is always a new start. Old stuff has passed away and we are to leave it alone. Continuing to worry and allowing pressure to come in on us robs us of trusting in Jesus to see us through.

PRAYER: Today let me concentrate on today. I know with your help I can do all things as it says that in your word. In Jesus' name. Amen.