Yikes! Look At The Dow Jones!

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

The past couple weeks the New York Stock Exchange has gone haywire plunging to record lows several days in a row. Our reaction, for those of us blessed enough to have 401k and retirement funds, has probably been one of fear and concern for the future. Riches and wealth are only temporary. We are not to trust in our money, for one stock market plunge or depression could send it right into the toilet so to speak. 

God is our source of being able to attain wealth and even maintain it. When we are blessed with abundance we are not to forget to help others too. Not in a socialistic government grab  but we should want to in our hearts. The government is not God nor should they play God. Every person has to decide on their own what and how to give. Scripture tells us those who give are also blessed. Do a word search on money, giving and other similar words in the Bible and you will find a host of valuable promises. 

In the meantime do not sit around worrying or bury your money underneath your house. Continue to give to the kingdom of God and to share when you are able and God will take care of you. It tells us that in Matthew 6:30-32. Give it a read.

PRAYER: Thank you for the abundance in my life. I know it is humanly easy to fear when we see savings accounts going down the tubes but I know in fact my hope and trust is ultimately in you, not in money. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Not Just About Sunday

 "If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own word, Then you will take delight in the LORD, And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Welcome to Sunday! A day of rest for many. The day traditionally to go to church. Mind you, not to punch an attendance card, but to go out of love and devotion for the Lord. We are not under the 'law' anymore but those who love Jesus should want to attend worship this day. If you have been in a rut over church because you just don't like going there, then ask God to open the door to a new vibrant church where God's word comes alive to you. Also ask Him to change your heart and your attitude. 

Once Sunday has passed and Monday rolls around it is not time to put away anything related to Jesus. We need to keep the 'armor of God' on each and every day because our enemy, Satan,  is not taking a vacation the other six days. (Read Ephesians 6:10-18). If you are not prepared for spiritual battle by studying and meditating on God's word daily how will you stand up to the enemy? In physical combat soldiers train ahead of time before they meet their enemy. We too as believers need to be doing likewise. 

Does Christ hold first place in your life? I I am not saying this to bring guilt or condemnation but only to ask you to search your heart. Maybe it is time to have your spirit renewed and come alive again. 

PRAYER: I desire to delight myself in you. I know the sprit of complacency and disinterest is not from you Lord. Give me a renewed sense of joy each and every day and not just on Sundays. Convict those Lord who do not care to spend anytime with you of their need for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Extremist? For God, For Sure!

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Here in the United States we are called 'United' but the past almost 7 years we have had a sitting President trying his best to divide us. It saddens me. Our media also divides us. If we are those people who stand for truth, the Bible, the flag, patriotism, and the Constitution we are labeled as extremist. The word 'hate' is thrown out so much to try to brainwash those who hear it to think maybe yeah if we disagree we are extreme and we do hate. 

I beg to differ. Christians who stand up for truth and stand for our country remaining the land of liberty are doing what the Founding Fathers intended. We are a nation founded one nation under God. There is a standard of truth for Christians and that is the Holy Bible. There is not supposed to be a Democrat Bible, a Republican Bible, or a Independent  Bible, but just the word of God, period.  Our government was constructed using the Word of God as a standard too. Satan and his evil forces do not like Americans and  what we stand for and are working through people to destroy us. We believers are to love, pray, speak the truth in love. When you get angry at being called extreme simply pray for those who think that. 

We have to stand together for truth or we will fall. A nation divided can not remain. Now is the time to be 'extreme' for what the Bible says and start living it out in our world. 

PRAYER: I love you Lord. I confess my anger at those who try to destroy this great nation. I pray for those who are blinded and do not see it happening mainly due to a political persuasion. I pray for revival in this great land. I pray for the truth of Jesus to be spread throughout the world and no weapon formed against us shall ever prosper as it says in Isaiah 54:17. I pray for unity among the races as well. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Make A Difference

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16

What have you done recently to make a difference in someone's life? Think on that for awhile.  We are meant to be able to not be self centered but to be God and others centered. Of course this world we live in does nothing through advertising to make you think that but it is all about me, myself, and I. When you can go beyond self for a change and help someone in need it is a good feeling. When you do something there is no need to boast about it as God knows and He is only one who matters.

Look around you and see what needs are out there that you are able to help with. Perhaps just a listening ear or making time for a friend. Treating someone to coffee or lunch. Sending a note or card to an elderly relative. Praying for your enemies is a good one and does not require much. Donate money to a friend in need. Help with someone's medical bills. Give a gift for no reason. Visit a nursing home. Volunteer to help someone pack up if they are moving and seek help. Volunteer time at a shelter. Do hospital or prison ministry if this is an area you are drawn to. Make a meal for someone who has had death in family or just needs a friend. Remember to help widows especially if they have no family around. 

When you do things do not expect rewards for it but do it because you truly want to. Resist the urge to tell others as well. God is your true rewarder. 

PRAYER: Lord make me aware of needs around me. Thank you for providing things in my life so I in turn can bless someone else. Help me never be selfish with my money or my time. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Evil In Our Midst!

The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. Proverbs 21:10

There is good and evil. Right and wrong. Wicked, bad, wrong, and immoral is how the dictionary defines the word evil. Satan is evil. God is good. You are either for God or against Him. You are either doing God's work or being sucked into the world's system. Satan is called the 'prince of the power of the air' in Ephesians 2:2. Many people may be serving him and assisting him without being aware of it because he is sneaky, deceiving, and subtle. And oh yes, did I mention, evil?

In these United States right now evil seems to be winning out when a government tries to dictate rules and behaviors to its' formerly freedom loving people. Guess what? God is still on the throne.  Psalm 37:1 reminds us not to fret because of evil doers and we in fact should not. We as believers need to pray we are not taken captive slowly by things of the world that can get us believing wrong or acting wrong. Stay in God's word and do not change it to be politically correct but instead insure it is 'God correct'.  Because of immoral laws passed by a Supreme Court who is only supposed to interpret laws we as Christians stand up against a society accepting of evil practices and may soon find ourselves ostracized for standing up for the truth.

Do not fear but make it your daily aim to get into God's word and know right from wrong. God and His laws and truth will win out over any evil in the end.

PRAYER: I am very thankful for my Bible. Many countries believers can be jailed or killed for speaking out for Christ. May we never get to that point here. Help those I know stand on guard against deception often masquerading as something that is okay. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Restoration! It Can Happen.

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10

Restored relationships with friends, a parent, a sibling, or a spouse are indeed possible. Different things drive wedges in relationships and sometimes human nature takes over and forgets the 'God nature' and gets selfish. Often times other factors enter in that we can speculate about but have no true knowledge of. Recently I had a friendship restored with a long time friend who I knew in one of many places I have lived. Out of the blue this friend wrote me through messaging on Facebook and asked for forgiveness. Oh my goodness what an extreme surprise and joy this was.

I know of people waiting for healed relationships between siblings. This might be healing of a step family situation. Being rejected hurts no matter who it is that has done it to you. If a family member, I can imagine the wound would be very deep. Once again, hope is held out for restoration. Many situations can separate people and if you have been hurt, you need to keep praying and to also be willing to forgive.

Start today and give your painful situations to the Lord. Don't ever hate or seek revenge. Just keep praying and wait and see what God does. 

PRAYER: I am thankful for the gift of love. I am thankful for people who choose to forgive and love when treated poorly. Help me Lord to keep looking to you for restoring relationships that may have gone bad. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Too Far Gone? But God!

Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Psalm 119:116

Have you ever heard someone say such and such a person was too far gone and there was no hope? Maybe you yourself have uttered those words. No matter what, there is always hope. Whatever you are believing God for,  do not cave in to doubt, fear, or a time table. God has His own time and His own purposes for the deliverance of our loved ones. It is the enemy, Satan, who puts lies into your head that there is no way this individual will ever change. Don't believe it!

I was thinking about the word hope and how we do not need to be around nay sayers who feed the negative aspect of the waiting game for God's miracle. He answers in His time and in His way. Praying is what you need to keep doing and never give up. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 simply says "pray continually"! No matter how seemingly earthly impossible it seems or how far gone a person appears to be, God is the God of miracles. 

Do you have a situation in your life or the loved of a family member that seems like it will never change? Guess what, it can change. Keep praying and keep believing.

PRAYER: I believe in hope Lord and I believe in prayer. I know you work things out in your time and maybe it is me who needs to grow through this entire process. Help keep me patient while I am waiting. In Jesus' name. Amen.

More of God's Lemonade Stand devotions can be viewed at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com