Kerplunk

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been calledaccording to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Recently in northern Alabama sink holes developed on I-65 Northbound. Not sure if any cars or trucks wrecked as a result. Can you imagine if you were driving along then 'kerplunk' into the sinkhole you go. Hopefully it would not require an emergency room visit but still would be frightening and unexpected. 

In life we have 'sinkholes' of sorts that happen unexpectedly and send us to our 'emergency room' which is at the feet of Jesus. Unexpected events such as deaths, finding out a family member has a drug or alcohol problem, being fired or laid off, finding out your son or daughter is gay, being told by a parent he or she was remarrying after having just lost a spouse, being given a terminal diagnosis, failing to get into a school you had hoped for, being passed over for promotion when you clearly expected it to occur and many more things. Stuff just happens and life goes on. We deal with things the best way we know how. What do you do when life has unexpected events happening? The first thing is to not lose control but to pray and ask God what He wants you to gain from the journey you are now on. Don't try to figure things out but go to God. Pray. Search the scriptures daily and realize you are not alone.

Now is the time to not think God has forgotten you but to know He loves you and everything is going to be okay.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus when things around me seem to not go according to what the life was I envisioned I still trust you and know you love me and have a plan. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Listen to the following praise and worship song to help you start your day. Be blessed to be a blessing. 

http://youtu.be/zC1MgLr2LqE

Birthdays Are Great!

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures, yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass and we fly away. Psalm 90:10

Why is it people complain about getting older? What is wrong with growing up and becoming mature? Today is my younger sons' big 3-0 birthday but it is really no big deal. Turning 30 signifies old age for many, but once you get older you see it is nothing. Thirty years ago today was indeed a special and joyous day for my husband and I and our older son, who was now gaining a playmate. 

God blesses us with years of life to do things to serve the kingdom of God and impact the world we are in.  It is hard to understand why some die so young and others live to be 100 but the thing is we need to be living life to the fullest and honoring God each day we do have. Tomorrow is never promised.

What are you doing today and on your birthday to live for Christ? 

PRAYER: I am thankful Lord or each birthday you bless me with. I am thankful for of life you add to give me opportunities to serve you. Help me use my time wisely. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Fixated? Stop It Now!

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

What is your mind constantly fixated on? Is it something good or do you consistently dwell on things that drag you down and make you feel bad? Many in our world are fixated on celebrities some to the point of stalking them as was in the news recently with actress Sandra Bullock. Fixations can be on tragedies where perhaps you can not get enough of bad news about disasters. Maybe you are fixated on mistakes from your past and can not seem to forgive yourself even though Jesus forgave you. There are those fixated on conspiracy theories. Today's world sees a new fixation with Facebook, You Tube, and Twitter where some feel a need to know every detail of a person's life.

             In life it is necessary to strike a balance and not let your mind be saturated to the point where you can not think on anything else. For a believer, a great thing to keep your mind on would be 'things above' and the word of God. Whatever your mind dwells on is often what rules your life. If you have difficulty keeping your mind fixed on Jesus and things that are good and perfect as it refers to in Philippians 4:8. My recommendation would be to get away and let go of things you know causing you to fixate. Spend more time in prayer and Bible study. Basically things that build you up and not saturate you with meaningless activity. 

The challenge for reader's today is to check your life and see what it is you may be fixated on that  really does not bring you closer to God and turn that around to glorify Jesus.

PRAYER: Just as the verse in Philippians 4:8 says to think on good things, help me Lord to resist spending too much time on things that take me away from you and get me into a pit of despair. In Jesus' name. Amen.

I Blew It! Not With God!

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12

What have you done that you are really not proud of? Perhaps treated a stranger poorly such as a waitress at a restaurant or a clerk at a store. Maybe you hurt a family member or are dealing with resentment after being hurt. Anger might have gotten the best of you and you broke something or said something to someone you wish you could retract?  

Whatever it is that has you ashamed and concerned,God gives you a do over and a second chance. If you have been wronged even when the person who hurt you never asks to be forgiven you can still choose to let it go,move on, and forgive. If you spewed forth angry words you now regret, that too, can be forgiven. We beat up on ourselves so much when forgiveness is a prayer away. 

       Today's assignment is to trust that God has forgiven you and learn to forgive others and      have a pure heart. 

PRAYER: Your love for me is so very great. Satan wants me to condemn myself when I know your grace has set me free. I want to say thanks. In Jesus' name. Amen.

     

Little Baby Steps

          Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

          When I rededicated my life to Christ and became 'born again' on March 19, 1975 I did not become a spiritual giant all at once nor am I one now. Sometimes I have been kidded, since my passion is to write devotions, that I should go to seminary. Well I do not plan to go that route. I am simply being obedient to what I feel God called me to do. I did not instantly know scriptures but I am every thankful to The Navigators ministry who discipled me in Anniston, Alabama while I was assigned to Ft McClellan awaiting assignment  to Fort Lee, Virginia. It was through a wonderful book entitled 'Disciples Are Made Not Born' that I really started to learn to grow. I had a rough period when I kind of fell away a few months in Virginia until arriving at Fort Ord, California where I got involved with Officer's Christian Fellowship. 

When you accept Christ you have to stay connected to other believer's and try to find a good Bible study and a growing church. If you stagnate and compromise you can easily be led down the wrong path.  There is a verse in Colossians 2:8 which says "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."  Stay grounded in the word and it will be easier to be caught off guard by Satan. 

Take those little baby steps as they are important in growing but do not expect to know everything and take time growing in Christ on the journey He has you on.

PRAYER: Thank you that each and every day is a new challenge and new opportunities to grow in Christ and serve you Lord. Help me go out in love and know you are with me and will sustain me. Protect me from evil. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Links to the two ministries I mentioned are listed below:

http://www.navigators.org/Ministries

http://www.ocfusa.org/

 http://www.christianbook.com/disciples-are-made-not-born/walter-henrichsen/9780781438834/pd/61442

Suns Up! Begin Anew!

²⁴ The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:24

Yeah for new days! If the previous day left much to be desired the good news is that it is gone never to return. Whatever it is that is getting you down and keeping you in despair now you have another new chance to start again. Don't you just love fresh starts especially if you have messed up? God makes all things new and He is on our side. His desire is not for you to wake up and go "oh no not another day" but to get up out of bed and say to Him "thanks for being alive!"

Instead of complaining about having to go to work maybe thank God you have a job to go to. Start a new habit of waking up and instead of saying "I'm just not a morning person" try quoting the scripture above. The New King James Version translation is often more familiar and it says "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it."

    Now rise and shine and give God the glory and enjoy your day!

PRAYER: Each new day is a wonderful gift from you Lord. Help me to use it wisely and to shine your love today wherever I go. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Hey There Daddy!

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live. Hebrews 12:9 Today in America we celebrate Father's Day. For many this is not a happy day because of neglect, abuse, rejection, or the absence of their father. It brings hate in some people's heart of how they were treated and anger in others for the things their dad did. But many others have happy memories of good times with dad. Some folks lost their dad when they barely had time to make any memories. Sometimes step dads do the fathering but a "step" is a dad. I know many people where the 'step dad' was much better than the biological dad.  If you are one of the people having trouble with this day of remembrance or celebration, go to God and share your heart with Him. It is good to not harbor resentment and hate and even if your earthly dad never asked for forgiveness for whatever he did or said you can forgive never the less. It is hard to go on in life harboring bitterness in your heart.       Today think of a list of things you are thankful for your daddy did for you. If you have difficulty simply thank Him for using your dad to bring you into this world.  PRAYER: Fathers have a big responsibility. Typically they bear the huge job of earning an adequate income and providing for their family. Ideally they are the spiritual leaders. Help dads everywhere who know Christ accept this and perform it with your help. Thanks for the dad you blessed me with. In Jesus' name. Amen.