Get Up, Get Going, Get Away!

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 NLT

I was thinking of this about how in the morning we need to first 'get up.' Try to do the joyfully and with anticipation. Next you need to 'get going'. Part of that get going should include time scheduled to be alone with God. Finally 'get away' or meaning push back from Facebook, social media, news, newspapers, and many other time wasters that do nothing at all to build you up.

How do you get up, get going and get away realistically speaking? Discipline first and self control second. The discipline to know what in life is truly important and the self control to say no to lesser things that have no eternal value or impact. Often times when writing I may be seen by some who do not understand as 'over the top' or a 'religious fanatic' when in fact I simply love Jesus and want to try to be more like him.

What are you here for anyway? It is not just to wake up and do your thing and go to work but to serve the Lord. If you have never committed your life to Him you can do that. If you are not excited about Jesus maybe it is time to find out where exactly your heart is. Being a Christian is not a club membership or a status in life but requires love and commitment. Open your heart to Him today.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me discipline my day to say no to distractions and lesser important things that have no eternal value. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Only You Lord

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

It is only the Lord who can work miracles. Some of these would be transforming Hollywood, changing the media, bringing the lost to Christ, delivering a prodigal and you can add to the list I am sure. 

Why is it many find it hard to believe God does miracles? A friend of mine once said "Believe receive, doubt do without." Oh how very accurate that statement is. Don't ever doubt the power of the almighty. Continue to believe and receive and abundance of blessings and answers to prayer. 

Instead of giving up all hope for whatever it is you are trusting God for continue to press on in heartfelt prayer.  Spend time alone with God daily. Don't just cry out when you have troubles. Your life will be much smoother and peace filled if you can daily go to Him in prayer and study His word the Bible. Am I a Jesus freak? Yes indeed and proud of it. Want to join me? Trust God today! 

PRAYER: Oh Lord how I want to trust you 100 % of the time yet sometimes I cave into anxiety. Help me hear your voice and know you have my back. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Relax, Be A Kid!

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

I was at my local park walking and noticed two young children on the playground running, jumping, swinging and having what appeared to be a glorious time. I thought to myself, why don't adults go swing on the monkey bars or teeter totter? Maybe office places need to install adult playgrounds.Probably help with adult obesity too.

Children don't have worries and concerns or they shouldn't let's say. They frolic, play, laugh, skip and just seem delighted by life. Now granted there are plenty of broken children out there but my point is childlikeness would be a good thing to try to incorporate into your life. Don't be afraid to laugh, have fun, do something crazy, try something new.

Whatever problems you have today try to let them go, pray and give them over to God. Then get in your car and go find a playground and swing for a few minutes. Might do you good.

PRAYER: Lord help me have childlike trust and faith and also childlike boldness to not be ashamed of you. Help me learn to laugh and play like a child to let my stresses go. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Note: I have attached a video from a gummy bear commercial on TV. Watch it and laugh. Click link below.

https://youtu.be/B2CRjcBGivc

It's Not About Me

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

One of my favorite movies with a message based on a true story is 'When the Game Stands Tall' the 2014 Hollywood movie about a California High School football team that was undefeated for 151 games then lost. The overlying theme of the movie is to remember it is not about the individual but about the team and not about winning necessarily. If you get a chance find it and watch it. You don't have to be a sports fanatic to enjoy it.

When it comes to anything in life the humble people are the ones who are more enjoyable to be around. Not the ones who gloat all the time. The coach in this movie had a chance to go coach at Stanford but he chose a lower salary and the joy of working with the high school players to build Godly character into their lives. Being humble is truly what God wants us to do. 

Are you able to die to self and truly put others best interests before your own? 

PRAYER: Thanks Lord Jesus for your example of being humble servant. I choose to make that my aim in life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Can Correct Your Wrong Turns

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Have you ever been driving and all of a sudden you realize you should be going a totally different direction? You wasted valuable time in the process.

This happens in life as well. You may second guess a decision because things are not going the way you thought. If you are really going to allow God to guide you and trust Him to open the right doors you just have to hang on and try to relax. Even if you did make an error God can restore and make necessary corrections.

So instead of fretting about what next just look to God and truly put Him first and your paths will be straight and your direction correct.

PRAYER: At times it is hard to know what to do in life.  Help me have more faith to trust you to lead me and guide me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Rough Patch? Get The Sandpaper.

Note: Forgot to post this devotion on Friday Feb 25,17.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

No ones life is immune from trouble of some sort. As much as you may not like to hear this, troubles actually make you stronger in the long run if you don't cave in to the enemy wanting you to get angry at God.

You are sort of being sanded or transformed into what God wants you to be. Sandpaper is not a fun thing to rub on your skin and I don't recommend it but you get the idea? A carpenter needs to sand wood to have a nice finished product that people will not end up getting splinters. So too our Heavenly Father 'sands' His creation. Us!

I realize many of these trials are the unimaginable kind but lean in on God and He can and will see you through.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus when I look back on the rough patches of my life I can see how you worked in me. I pray for those people going through being sanded now that you will transform their lives in a positive way. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Watch What You Say

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6

Years ago an acquaintance remarked to me about my constant use of the words 'holy cow', 'holy mackerel', 'holy Toledo'. She politely said to me "Only God is Holy" and she is/was right. But how do you break this seemingly innocent usage of slang speech? Now my opinion on this is I did not see it as wrong but if I am around an individual who does I would be careful. 

Speech is important. Youth today grow up hearing rap lyrics that would make you blush yet many are sucked into this culture giving it no thought. The F word is very bad and it is laced throughout many people's conversations and even if they don't say it may condone it's usage. For someone to say "God" all the time drives me insane as it is taking God's name in vain even though they did not say the D word after it. Instead of saying "God" why not use "gosh"? 

How are you doing with words? Do you speak as if Jesus Christ Himself were in your presence? It is something to ponder. Our words should reflect the Christlike character inside of us. Making a habit of constant intake of bad speech in movies such as the infamous F word which garners many movies an R rating, will eventually have you desensitized to it. Strive for excellent speech. 

PRAYER: Help me Lord with the words I say that I do not offend anyone or cause someone to stumble. Help kind words and loving words flow from my mouth. In Jesus' name. Amen.