Fighting The Battle

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.2 Corinthians 10:4-5

I don't know what struggle you have, but one of mine is imaginations. The enemy knows this so he tries to attack me in this area. Sometimes I allow him to, instead of fighting back with scripture. We who are Christians should be aware we are in a battle for our very souls. To be able to get a brother or sister in Christ imagining things and trying to figure things out is a specialty of the enemy. If you feel this occurring stop what you are doing and tell Satan to leave you alone. 

One example is that you think people are thinking something they are not. It is necessary to take every thought captive and focus on good things and not dwell on stuff that will make you start thinking wrong things. I am not saying this in a mentally ill sense but just the sheer area of controlling what your mind is allowed to dwell on. 

Wake up daily and grab your Bible and saturate your mind with good thoughts. Tell Satan he is to leave you alone because you are a child of the King. Then go enjoy a peace filled day. 

PRAYER: I choose this day to focus on things above and how I can add joy to someone's life around me. I cast down any wrong thinking. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Unforgiveness In Your Heart?

 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

I say I have no unforgiveness but I was wounded in my heart by a former friend and sometimes feel like just snubbing her. Is that right? Certainly not. I know when feelings like that crop up I have to rebuke the enemy for even making me think ungodly thoughts and press on to a loving and kind attitude.

The verse today indicates we are to forgive. Think of Jesus being mocked, spat upon, stripped, lashed with whips, cursed at, yet what did he say? "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." It is easy to hate but much harder to show true love especially  when the recipient may not care about you at all.

Who do you need to forgive today? Sometimes a person may be unaware they ever hurt you but you still have to move on and let the healing begin.

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord when I have had wrong thoughts about people. Help me remember to always pray and continue to love even when that love is not returned. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Can Use Imperfect Things

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

On my journey to have my first book published I basically did it all alone except for the help of my  editor who edited the actual devotions. Because of this and me not being a tech wiz, there was an alignment problem on a few pages. Most people are okay with it and understand, but to get to the big companies or church bookstores,  if I even could, it has to be pretty much perfect.

I thought to myself how God can use things that the world says are messed up. For instance the child born with Downs Syndrome is beautiful in God's eyes and His creation, yet how many expectant parents would abort a child that was not quote unquote, perfect?Maybe a suspension from work taught you things you needed to know. 

A medical set back maybe gave you time to regroup. You can probably think of things maybe in your own life that at first started out not so good but in the end God used them. 

Wrong turns in life often end up part of God's plan. What is perfect anyway?  There is a plan for everything. 

PRAYER: I thank you for the lessons I learn in every situation in life. You indeed are sovereign. I need not fret and stay thankful in ALL things. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Evil And Good

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the tragedy of the World Trade Center collapse, Pentagon tragedy, and Shanksville, PA. On that day pure evil people who did not like the United States or what we stand for did the unthinkable and flew commercial jets into both Tower 1 and Tower 2 then later into the side of the Pentagon and one failed attempt which was taken down by passengers crashed in a field near Shanksville, PA. Anyone who was alive older than 6 back then probably remembers this vividly. The images of survivors leaping from the World Trade Center towers won't leave us. 

This occurred because of evil forces. As former President George W Bush used to call it, the "axis of evil" and he was right. Right now in our nation we have had any attacks on our own soil by ISIS and probably more to come until we start closing borders and allowing refugees into the country without proper security checks. We are a special nation founded on Christian principles and many people don't like this even those within our own country. Naturally enemies will strike. 

What we can do is be alert, aware, and stay in an attitude of prayer. Don't cower in fearfulness because God is on the side of righteousness. Continue to pray for enemies who seek to destroy us some sad to say are in the government that is supposed to protect us. Lean on Jesus. You know who wins in the end. 

PRAYER: I thank you for the gift of freedom. I know there is evil around us trying to take this away. You have blessed this land and for that I say thank you. Help me do my part to help keep this land free. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Obadiah. Say What?

See I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised. Obadiah 2

Oh my goodness. What or who is Obadiah? It is a extremely short book in the Old Testament where Obadiah prophesies judgment against Edom for violence against Israel. Not a good idea to mess with God's chosen people. The outcome will never be good. 

Take some time and read this book which is one tiny chapter. There is much insight into what happens when people get high and mighty and think they know better than God or don't need Him. Worse yet when we diss Jewish folks that is really a no no.

Take time each day and read one of these smaller chapters found in the latter part of the Old Testament. Ask God to open your mind to what He wants to reveal to you. Challenge yourself to learn about some of those minor prophets. Your life could be enriched by it. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for my freedom I enjoy in the United States to freely worship you and openly have a Bible out. I pray for those Christians who rarely pick up their Bible. May the Holy Spirit convict those I know like this of their need for studying your word. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Too Busy For God?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Each day I bet you manage to do lots of things before you eventually depart from your home. Some may be checking Facebook posts, Twitter, Instagram, watching the morning news, reading the paper, but how much time do you allow for time for God, growing in Christ? Not asking to guilt you but to maybe have you change up your morning activities just a bit. 

Do you make time to get together with special friends and family members? Then why not make sure you make a daily appointment with God. The news is normally bad. Many shows on television glorify celebrity. What does running to Facebook first thing do for you anyway? Lots of these little things can wait. 

If Jesus is truly the number one priority in your life why not make sure what you do with your waking hours backs up that claim. 

PRAYER: There is nothing wrong with social media Lord but give me the discipline to make sure you are first in my day before all these other time wasters and distractions. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Stop And Breathe

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

Computer crash, messed up nail polish after you just had a manicure, unexpected automobile expenses, flat tire, dryer broken, and on the list of things goes. Sometimes in life you just have to stop what you are doing and let things go. Take a breath. Things will eventually be  okay. Even the unthinkable tragedy of the loss of a child or baby is something that no one can understand or know what to say. God does care.

All the fretting and getting angry and upset over something isn't going to change the situation but instead remaining cool headed and just trying to be still. Stop, pray, relax. Try to let the situation go. There is no one that hasn't had something unexpected happen at an inopportune time. If it is a death then that is an immense game changer. How to go on from that? God can help.

Sit at God's feet. Let Him have your burdens, your frustrations,your harried moments, and yes your sadness.

PRAYER: When the unexplainable happens or simply those moments I don't have time to deal with help me be strong. I know my strength comes from you and you alone. In Jesus' name. Amen.