Word Of Mouth

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

What's the best way to get news out? Some may say the internet but really if you have good news to share, word of mouth is best. For instance in the recent movie release of the Christian film 'Risen' when asked "where are  Jesus' disciples" the answer given was "everywhere"!  In our Moms in Prayer International ministry the best method for getting new ladies into groups was sharing about it and handing them a brochure. 

When a person is saved some  may have a dramatic testimony of their former carnal life whereas others may have just come in to the fold with nothing dramatic. Sharing these stories helps to testify to the saving grace of Jesus. Sharing about the love of Christ and miracles in life is often done one on one.

Of course we are blessed to have so many forms of communication to get the preaching of the cross out worldwide but when it comes down to it, friendship evangelism is a very workable thing. 

PRAYER: Help me Lord not neglect sharing the good news of Christ with those I come into contact with. Help me never be ashamed. Also thank you for all the communication tools at our disposal to also use. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Oh My Oh My. So Many Decisions.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Yours truly is just about to publish my first ever book, a devotion book,  and am right there except for the illusive cover. Have you ever thought you had the right choice made but just did not have peace? Well that is as of this writing where I am. One of my faults is that I am super impulsive and often do not think things through for as thoroughly as I should. 

For women who are married I find it is essential to get your husbands support in your endeavors. Not permission like a child to a parent, but his backing and endorsement so to speak. A Bible study leader I had back in the mid 80's called it "staying under your husbands umbrella". This 'umbrella' of sorts is your protection from the storms of life. Man is under God's umbrella, and woman is under both God's and man's. If she steps out on her own in rebellion she is on her own. The women's lib movement would have me tarred and feathered for what they may feel is old fashioned. 

In any decision make sure you pray. Weigh all the facts. I remembered when my son was trying to decide on colleges my husband laid out an engineer flow chart of sorts with pros and cons of each impending choice and ultimately he chose the one he later met his future wife at. Decisions are not always fun but they are a part of life. Just pray and trust God to open doors that need opened and shut doors that should be closed. 

PRAYER: I know Lord I could choose unwisely and suffer repercussions from bad choices so help me be still, think, take time, and weigh the facts. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Standing Up Jesus

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Revelation 2:4

For anyone who is an adult single or used to be, you may have had the unfortunate experience of being stood up or standing someone up. It is hurtful. There could always been a good explanation but never the less it happened. 

How do you think Jesus feels when His children stand Him up on a daily and weekly basis? That's what you do you know when everything else takes priority over Him and you just give Him token love maybe on Sunday. He yearns to spend time with you yet you go on day after day and never sit down long enough to give Him quality and quantity time. In effect you 'stand Him up'. 

You know the feeling of not being wanted or needed? Well that is how our Lord feels when you want nothing to do with Him. Sure you say grace and pop into church for an hour, maybe, but nothing more. Why not decide now to never stand Him up again. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for being a loving and patient God. You yearn for me to want to be with you and sit at your feet. Satan loves it when I neglect you. Help me to be able to say no to distractions. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Read The Word. Changes Ahead!

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

How many of you may own a Bible, maybe many Bibles? Do you read it on a daily basis? Why or why not? Did you know God's word is the best weapon against the enemy, Satan? How many Christians rush into their day with little more than a quick prayer and maybe don't even take time for reading some of the Bible? Lots of questions I know. I just want you to realize what a magnificent tool is at your disposal if only you would open it up. 

Satan of course will use all sorts of tactics to keep you complacent , bored, busy, or disinterested in reading and studying it. The Holy Spirit has to convict people individually on their need for salvation and not just church membership. This means maybe you have to change churches in some cases. 

Today instead of starting your day checking on how many 'likes' you have on Facebook or seeing who is ahead in the Presidential races or watching the morning show,commit to not doing anything else till you give the Lord some quality time. If you do not know where to begin, start in the Psalms or Proverbs. Believe me you will start to feel different if you do this daily. 

PRAYER: Help me discipline myself in many areas Lord but especially when it comes to getting into the Bible. Direct my steps to do things that are pleasing to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Are You Shoving Jesus Down Someone's Throat?

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

The Holy Spirit is the one who has to enter a person's life and convict them of their sin and of right and wrong. Satan blinds the minds of many so they can not hear the truth.  God continually can knock on the door of a person's heart but they have to be the one to say "Come on in Lord".

You know the saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink"? The same is true of trying to shove Jesus down a person's throat, so to speak. Trying to force feed someone the truth may often backfire. Bible teacher Joyce Meyer reminds us to not be 'Holy Spirit Junior' in a friend of family member's life. Once the Holy Spirit enters a person then they indeed see the error of their ways.

If there is someone you are close to that you are praying for them to get on the right path with God and Jesus, don't give up praying, but be careful to not force feed them as it may backfire. Speak the truth in love and plant the seeds and believe you eventually will see an increase. Trust God to bring this person to a saving knowledge of Jesus and want to live a fruit bearing life. 

PRAYER: Use me Lord in the lives of those in my life who may not know you or who may know you but have gotten away from you and are doing their own thing. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Frustrations And Annoyances

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Back in the day when computers were fairly new there may have been many problems trying to get connected. Today things are somewhat easier but for a person still not using them all the time it can seem mind boggling. Ever so often it may be hard for we who use them on a regular basis to get a wireless signal and is very annoying and frustrating. 

This happened to me recently in a coffee shop I have purposely not gone to very much as each time I could not break the code so to speak and figure out how to connect to Wi Fi. On this day I realized I needed to stay cool and not get mad as I represent Christ wherever I go. Now there is not a huge flashing sign hanging over me saying "Follower of Christ" but certainly I want to bring Him glory in my words and deeds. 

Does the peace of God rule in your heart that you can take a deep breath and let things go that would normally upset you? Setbacks and problems can be issues that would cause one to get angry but our job as a believer is to try to represent Him and in a good way. How are you doing today when your patience is tried? 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father you are good and glorious. You have seen me and my problems and yet you love me and are patient with me. Give me strength to conquer any area of my life that would normally cause me to explode. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Politics.....Bah Humbug!

Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 2 Timothy 2:14

Of all the election years this one has gotten really dicey for Christians. If a person isn't for certain a believer many scream to not vote for them. Rumors are rampant. Hatred is flying. What is a person to do? People say such and such can't be a Christian just look how they act. 

I'll tell you what to do. Don't argue with people. Don't force your opinion on others. Pray for the opposition and the candidates on your side you don't particularly care for. Don't judge someone just because you think they might have voted for someone who doesn't love Jesus. All of us need to mind our own business and display the love of Christ pure, plain, and simple.

Whoever gets on the final ballot in November from both parties has to be prayed for. Our country and the freedom we have enjoyed is at stake. Financial stability, integrity, morality, and military strength is in jeopardy. The enemy can deceive. Pray you won't be a victim of deception. 

PRAYER: We can not help but be involved in politics. It is a right and a privilege. Give me discernment Lord and wisdom. No matter what happens help me continue to love friends even with differing opinions. This election is on your hands. We know you have a plan. In Jesus' name. Amen.