Freedom...A Gift From God

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

There are those veterans from World War II often still alive. Not too many of them but they are around. I was blessed a couple months ago to be arriving at Washington Reagan Airport at the same time an Honor Flight of WWII veterans from Kansas City was deplaning. What a sheer joy it was to witness this plane load of older gentleman who made it through the war and were in the nation's Capitol to see the Memorial in their memory and honor. This generation was known as 'The Greatest Generation' and indeed they were.

Our country and its' freedom were paid for by the blood of soldiers,sailors,airmen,and Marines who fought and died to protect us from tyranny, evil, and domination. Freedom is a gift from the Almighty God. Our Founders knew that and that is why this nation is so unique.  Evil though does not like freedom and so this nation,blessed by God, remains free because of the blessings of the Lord. When we start to turn our backs on Him and His word we are in trouble. 

Today we pay tribute to those courageous men and women whose lives were lost in Pearl Harbor on this day in 1941. We should never forget the sacrifices made for freedom and each of us who love America is responsible to help secure that freedom. 

PRAYER: Help me to never forget that this country is blessed because we were founded as a Christian nation. Satan lies to people to try to reeducate them to this part of history. We know it is true Lord and we thank you for how we were founded. May the people who wander in the darkness be made known to know the truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Times Up

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

I like to read obituary's. Some say this trait occurs when you get old but I find it fascinating to see the various ages of those who have passed away. I wonder how many died without knowing Jesus. My heart goes out to those who lost babies and children. I wonder how many died without Jesus.

No one can predict their life span. The average age according to scripture is 70 years(Psalm 90:10) but many live much longer and some much less. Death is nothing to fear yet many do. You could be sitting reading this and God calls you home. You just don't ever know. The key is to be sure you know beyond a shadow of a doubt where you are going. 

You are either for Christ or against Him. Have you asked Him into your heart to be your Lord and Savior and confessed your sins to Him? Now is the time for salvation as you are not promised tomorrow. 

PRAYER: I pray for those who do not know you as Lord and even those who mock your very existence. Give believers grace when witnessing to those who are not saved. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Incredibly Lucky....No.....A Miracle!

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19-20

 I was recently watching the television show 'So You Think You'd Survive' on the Weather Channel. There was a segment on a solo sky diver that fell 8000 feet into a recently plowed field between sharp grape vines in a vineyard and survived. One medical doctor commented that he was really lucky. You think?

 Why can't people who witness or hear about a true miracle say the word miracle?  Lucky, what is that supposed to mean. Fear of acknowledging that maybe a higher power had something to do with beyond the odds survival? Miracles happen even today. When someone defies human odds or medical odds and survives that indeed is a miracle and Jesus name is to be praised. No other explanation, think about it! Luck,no way. I hate the word luck. What does that imply? The person has been blessed,they are not lucky. 

When something that can not be explained happens why not just give God the glory! Great things He has done and is still doing!!

PRAYER: I praise your name for each and every day. I thank you for the skilled experts in the medical profession who work on the impossible then the people survive. Help me not say luck but call it what it is. A miracle. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Cast Your Care On Him

Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

I am not just preaching to the crowds here but I am writing this for myself right now. I have experienced my Google account being disabled and consequently as of 26 October 2015 had a break in the cycle of my blogs on blogspot and to my email recipients. I was able to copy and post what still showed up on my IPAD screen, but could not access it through my laptop. I was angry. I shed many tears. I did not act very grownup. I did not act like I trusted God to help me through. For the first time in 6 years I was unable to get my writing out nor was I able to check my email. Back to the 'Little House On The Prairie' days I went. It was as if an electronic pulse had shut down electronics. Life will go on and people will go on without my writing but would I survive the momentary lapse?  So truly the verse I gave today has to apply to me and I have to live it out.

Life gives us many tests and this temporary glitch was one of my little tiny trials to see how I handled it. Not so great at first to be honest, but as the day wore on and moved into two days, I came to the realization that life was going to go on one way or the other and fretting and fuming over it changed nothing. What do I tell others to do with similar issues in their life? Trust God and pray. Did I take my own medicine at first? No I did not. Then I made up my mind to resist the enemy and blow it off. Satan was not going to get the upper hand in this battle. 

Where are you today and what trials are you facing in your life? You may feel they will never end but really they will. Hang in there and hang on to God. Been there, done that, got the tee shirt. All things will be okay. 

PRAYER: There is a hymn that says "Only Trust Him, Only Trust Him, Only Trust Him Now" and that is what I intend to do. Help me when I am tempted to run for the hills so to speak to lean on you and know that this too shall pass. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Trimming Bad Branches

I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch on me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it may be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2

Every since we were married we have purchased a live Christmas tree. Whether you go to the woods and chop one down or buy it pre-cut at your local tree lot, you still need to get rid of straggly branches. These branches are trimmed to make the tree nice and neat. Live plants and bushes are likewise 'pruned' to help them grow better.

Our life at times needs to have some 'dead branches' cut off in order to make us grow better and thrive for God wherever we are placed. Sometimes this 'spiritual pruning' may hurt. It may be a lesson we have not grasped that we need to learn and often times is painful.  Things have to be 'cut off' that are holding us back from our full potential as believers. 

Can you think of a time in your life when you were pruned and did not understand it till much later? God's purposes will prevail. 

PRAYER: I know there are things in my life that need pruning at times to make me more Christlike. Help me not complain but realize it is for my own good. In Jesus' name. Amen.i

Overcoming And Bouncing Back

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

One of the most amazing stories of bouncing back is the story of Job in the book of Job. All the junk he went through and all the more reason to want to give up, yet he hung in there. How many of us when faced with crisis after crisis after crisis would have the will to continue? There are often times purpose in the pain. Nowhere are we promised a life of ease with no problems. Trials are used to grow us and shape us and more importantly to help patience take root. 

The ultimate goal of life is in fact living for Jesus and preparing for our heavenly kingdom. This earthly home is so very temporary yet how many people feel it is the end all. The very short duration of life here compares nothing to what lies ahead. Sometimes life is sprinkled with trouble, pain, grief, and heartaches. The key is to not let those consume you and realize you are in a training ground for heaven. 

Are you enduring something now you feel you can not take anymore?  There are lessons to be learned in suffering. Those who endure till the end have a crown of life for them if they have asked Jesus to be Lord of their life. Do you know the best is yet to come? 

PRAYER: Even in trials Lord I need to say thanks for the things I learn during the hard times. Help me to shine my light for you in good times and not so good times. I am aware Satan would have me give up and I do not plan to. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A Companion Of Fools

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

Did you know the Bible has much to say about the kind of people we choose to associate with? Now this does not mean you can not witness to folks and be a light around them,but it is saying to not get entrenched too deep with them lest you should learn their ways. 

1 Corinthians 15:33 lays it on the line when it says "Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Yes it does. You tend to become like who you hang out with. Parents will tell their children to "choose your friends wisely" but once they are grown up off in high school and later college, a parent has little control over this aspect. God does not want you sitting around worrying, but to pray and trust that your children will be wise. Prayer goes out for friends who build up not tear down. Of course also friends who are not drunks, drug users, or criminals who could drag them into this lifestyle. 

Even we adults need to be careful not to  hang out with those who are hot tempered, gossips, greedy, curse and take Lord's name in vain, liars, cheaters or else we may learn their ways. We are to associate with the lowly and try to win others to the Lord but just not become saturated and affected by a corrupt life. Don't catch yourself getting self righteous and starting to talk about bad people. Pray and pray hard. It is only by the grace of God we are where we are, just remember that. 

PRAYER: Thank you so much Lord for watching over me and guarding my steps. Thank you for rescuing me in my life when I did things that were stupid or far from you. Help me shine my light so others may have a change by coming to know you. In Jesus name. Amen.