You Rebel You!

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him. Daniel 9:9

Rebellion is not a good thing when it comes to we humans rebelling against God. Now rebellion can be a good thing when it means to rebel against a evil government. For the purposes of this writing it deals with we mere humans acting like we know more than God. Does Adam and Eve ring a bell?

Being rebellious is not a fruit of the spirit. It can often be a demonic influence. God hates rebellion against His authority. A person can be hard hearted and think they don't need God and in a sense that is displaying a rebellious attitude. 1 Samuel 15:23 says it is "as the sin of witchcraft" and I say "ouch" to that. 

How many of you reading have had rebellious children? Perhaps a spouse at times may have acted  in a rebellious way. Criminals rebel against police authority meant to keep us safe. Don't be a rebel. Turn from wickedness of any form and seek God continually.

PRAYER: Oh Lord your commands are meant for our good. Forgive me if I have ever rebelled against you in any way by sinning against you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Dying Will Happen

The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Isaiah 57:1

Several years ago in a Sunday school class there was a prayer spoken for someone's grandma to be healed who was approaching 100. Now of course selfishly we don't want to let our loved ones go, but there comes a time it will inevitably happen.

 I often think the prayer should be for comfort for the one dying and peace for the family members. No one says it is going to be fun, but if the deceased is a follower of Christ it is time for celebration, not sadness.

 Sometimes with young people prayers for healing go up but for some reason God calls them home. We don't know His plans, purposes, or ways we only need to trust Him. Just remember death is part of life and we all will die. It is nothing to fear if you have asked Jesus to be your Savior.

 PRAYER: Satan would love to keep me scared about dying. There is no need and it is wasted energy. What is to fear as long as I trust in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link and enjoy a song of praise and promise:

https://youtu.be/8TipLsmZgjI

Trust God In The Storms

  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

Here in my region of the United States, the spring severe storm season is upon us. As I wrote  this a few days ago  I was watching non stop coverage of tornado watches and warnings. My husband and I have been in our underground storm shelter once. When a possible tornado is bearing down on you possessions are the least of your concerns.

Storms can wipe out everything you have in a matter of minutes. Your hope needs not to be on your closet full of clothes, high definition TV, fancy car, or actual home. In times like this basically you pray and wait.

 Are you able to let go of Earthly possessions or would you be freaking out if they were destroyed? This is a real test of not being materialistic. Your hope in the storms of life is Jesus Christ. Why not trust Him?

PRAYER: I am very thankful Lord for the peace only you can provide. When the storms of life come whipping up destruction help me stay calm and trust you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Blocked By Man, Loved By God

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3

2016 is the year of a new form of rejection. Being blocked on Facebook and unliked, are two new forms of social shunning. It's enough to be left out and unwanted say back on the playground of the 60's when teams were being chosen for a fun game of baseball and you got picked last. Maybe it is in college when a sorority or fraternity does not give you a bid. You are overlooked for an expected promotion. A company you gave your all too lays you off. 

Jesus knew what it was like to be rejected and shunned. All the time this was occurring he did not fight back but stayed in peace. He was humiliated publicly as he was led to the cross to be crucified. 

I don't know what kind of rejection you have experienced but know that God cares for you. You have to keep your mind renewed in the word of God to keep the pain from surfacing and making you bitter. Pray for those who have hurt you like it says in Matthew 5:44. Never seek revenge. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the Holy Bible for within its' pages I find peace, joy, hope, and the promise of deliverance. Thank you for loving me when others have rejected me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Yank Up That Root Now!

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15

How often do you go to pull up a weed or root from an old plant and if you don't get it all, meaning down to the entire root, it will no doubt pop right back up and continue to grow? Sin is like that. It can grow and spread it's roots and has to be yanked up. If not anger, and a host of other things can be the result. 

Often times if there has been generational sin, or a sin that is deeply rooted and not dealt with,  it can continue to grow and affect your life and even possibly influence future generations. Sexual immorality, greed, hatred, lying, lust, addictions, and anger towards being rejected, need to be nipped in the bud, confessed, and dealt with. If you don't purge your life of certain things you will end up being bitter not better and hurt many people as a result.

If you identify with Christ and are His followers that does not mean you are perfect but it means you need to seek things above and walk a life pleasing to Him. If you are hanging on to junk in your life that separates you from Him deal with that before it does become an entrenched root. 

PRAYER: Lord I come to you warts and all. There are times I have done things or said things that have broken your heart. Bring to mind any thing I need to confess to get rid of any bad roots in my life in order to bloom with the fruits of the Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Things To Be Grateful For

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

Often times life gives us enough problems and frustrations you may tend to focus on the negative. This indeed is easier and more convenient at times than to stop and mentally make a list of blessings in your life. I heard somewhere that it takes 7 good things to outweigh 1 bad thing so in other words instead of griping all the time about something or someone try to find positive traits or qualities. Another idea would be to list the blessings in your life. Write them down.

Do that experiment right now. Write down 7 positive things about someone who may be rubbing you the wrong way. Next write down 7 positive elements to your life. I could say living in freedom. Having people who love me. Being free to write this devotion each day. 

Children born to me in my younger days. Sunshine and rain as both are needed. Birthdays. Ability to travel so much. Now you go and do it.

Make a conscious effort to try to be positive or as a local radio station here says "Positive and Encouraging" and indeed you will see your day will be much more pleasant. And you will start to radiate that love outwards to those you come in contact with. 

PRAYER: Help me Lord let things that could tend to bother me roll off me so to speak and instead when I coming on to start praising you for your goodness focusing on 'above' instead of getting drug down by negativity. In Jesus' name. Amen.

No Fooling.....Hell Is No Joke!

"And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”  Revelation 14:11

Seemingly for non believers the question is asked "How can a loving God send people to hell?" God does not wish any to perish but each person makes choices in life and some accept Jesus and others reject Him by continually sinning with seemingly no remorse. 

There is evil in society and there is good. Many are blinded to evil and embrace it. Our nation was founded upon the word of God and it's laws were written with the Holy Bible as a tool. Many of the government buildings in the nation's Capitol have scripture engraved upon them. Truly Satan does not like America or what we stand for. 

I am here on April Fool's day to say that Hell is not a concept but a real place no one wants to end up. How do you not end up there? By accepting Christ and following His teachings found in the word of God. Many a false teacher has come and tried to add to and subtract from the word of God. There is only ONE way to Heaven and that is following Jesus Christ. 2 Chronicles  7:14 says "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." First our own heart has to be 100% His. Keep praying and turn to Him if you have not already. 

PRAYER: Lord I know there is only one way to Heaven. I pray for those people who are bent on evil and misinterpreting scripture or denying you altogether. I pray for the heart of evil men and women to be turned to good and truth. Save us dear Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.