It’s Coming!Are You Ready?

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke10:41-42

You probably think I mean Christmas but I am referring to Thanksgiving which to me is a much more relaxed pleasant peaceful holiday celebration. Even though Christmas seems to get people worked up into a frenzy is it for the right reasons? Of course the answer is no. Are you one of those people who say each year you are not going to get caught up and stressed out then voila it happens again?

Start thinking just what it is that you are truly thankful for. Maybe instead of gobbling down food until a fork lift needs to remove you from the  dining table stop and ponder what this upcoming day really means? What does being thankful mean to you every other day as well.

Stop and take a breath. Ask yourself what is really important. In all this craziness be sure to stop each day and spend time alone with God. You give thanks to him so don’t forget him.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for each day of life you have given me. Thank you just for the blessing of having a roof over my head as many do not, or food on the table. Help slow me down from expectations and enjoy life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Breathe, Relax, Breathe, Pray

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Our world is in chaos. A president gets elected Who is not a politician and opposition increases to destroy him. People who stand for the truth have their character shredded. Free speech other than Christian free speech is welcome Christians being called hateful. Oh my but Satan is doing a job isn’t he?  Nice people post ugly hateful things on Social media then still claim to love Jesus. What are we becoming my friend? 

We are not to be in allegiance to a skin color, political party, television station, newspaper, but are to be in allegiance to the Red, white and blue if you live here in these United States and more importantly to our savior and Lord Jesus Christ. He isn’t sitting around screaming, saying mean things, and worried about the future. He is the future.

Satan continues to lie and deceive many people. If you catch yourself getting angry or border-lining on posting ugly comments on social media step back, go get your Bible and pray. 

PRAYER: Freedom is indeed not free. We have come close a few times in being tricked into losing our freedoms. Open the eyes of every man and woman regardless of political persuasion to get on their knees and pray. I pray for those who do not love you Lord and who need you in their life to be witnessed to by someone who crosses their path. I thank you for the godly people surrounding our President with prayer daily. Help us to love and not hate. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Banging People Over The Head With Bible..Not A Great Idea

"What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs--beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity. Matthew 23:27

For people who are not frequent church goers many may have the idea of Christians being ‘religious’ or ‘Bible thumpers’ or worst yet ‘banging people over the head with their Bibles’. Hopefully no one reading this fits in to any of these three categories. To win people to the Lord it does not take screaming at them or condemning them but instead kindness. After all Jesus was kind wasn’t he?

The woman caught in adultery was told to go and sin no more. Zacheus the tax collector had Jesus eat a meal at his house. The thieves hanging on the two crosses next to Him were forgiven. No hatred, anger, berating, acting self righteous but a show of kindness and mercy. 

When you act like you are perfect or better than someone obviously you are not. Feeling smug and sinless is not a good way to be. But how many people do you know who are won to Christ by being condemned or screamed at? Not too many I would suppose. Go and let your everyday journey be a witness to God’s love and be ready to share if someone asks you about the hope you have inside of you. 

PRAYER: Your steadfast love never ceases. I pray for the ability to share your love with kindness and grace should anyone approach me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Where Is The Manger?

 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8

Recently as I walked my town park track there amidst the Christmas decorations on the grassy area inside the track, I noted there was nothing to make it be called a ‘Christmas’ scene. Elves, reindeer, toy soldiers, helicopter, tractor, Santa, merry go round, candy canes, but no Christ child. Now this park had him last year but this year so far there is no manger.

What have we become as a country founded on Christian principles and the word when we ignore His existence? After all, whose birthday is it? It certainly is not Santa’s! Jesus is indeed the reason for this season but why do so many people forget him?

The Christ child was born into the world to save us from our sins. Why is it so many have ignored him or even played the church or religious game but then pay homage to Santa instead? I urge you as this season is upon us to make sure you do the right thing and envelope yourself and your family in the true meaning of this special day.

PRAYER: Father it is fun for children at Christmas but help parents to realize that teaching about the babe in the manger far overshadows anything else. I pray for those who do not understand and for those cities and towns that won’t acknowledge him on his birthday. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Update: This park finally added the baby. (:

Tuning Into God

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. Colossians 2:2-4

Your  day has started. Rush, rush, rush already. Busy, busy, busy. When on earth can you possibly slow your pace to tune in to the still small voice yearning to spend time with you? I am speaking of God. 

So many things try to get your attention and in today’s wired society you must be creative to carve out time alone with God. This should be the first thing you WANT to do not an after thought. So set your alarm earlier. If a mom with small children, do it with them. On your lunch break at work, go find a place alone to pray and hear God’s voice through the Word. Make it happen. Desire it to happen. 

So much of what you may think is necessary is truly not. Off goes the news, off goes the morning show, off goes the Facebook updates. If you truly desire to do this then you can! 

PRAYER: It happened again. I rushed around and forgot to even say hi to you Lord or thank you. I am ashamed of myself. The enemy throws out excuses so I choose to sit down and be still with you. Convict me of this need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don't Worry...Be Happy!

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

Such a catchy tune a few years back but do you apply its meaning to your everyday life? Is it possible to live a worry free life?

If you are honest you will say you have indeed worried. Probably everyone has but why? It doesn’t change things. As the character of a Russian prisoner in the movie ‘Bridge Of Spies’ said to his court appointed attorney played by actor Tom Hanks when asked if he was worried, he replied “would it help?” 

 When a fisherman casts his line into the water to catch fish he doesn’t jump in the water to grab it back as that would be self defeating and he would not catch fish. Similarly we are told in scripture to cast our cares on Him. Don’t go in and continually take them back. When you give your worries and concerns to God leave them then start focusing on uplifting things and let them go. 

PRAYER: Father God I don’t like to worry or fret but sometimes I find myself caving. Help me Lord to fully trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Is First Thing You Reach For In Morning?

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Mobile device? Computer?  News paper? Remote control? Basically the point I am trying to make is what do you make time for and what habits have you developed? At the end of these habits is there any time to spend with Jesus in His word? It is only by spending time that we develop God’s character.

It may require discipline for you to stop grabbing your mobile device and checking into Facebook daily. Sure there are Christian things on Facebook, I get that. My devotion is posted there after all. The thing is your heart is where your first love is. Do you just really want to barely get by as a Christian or do you want to be filled with power to face your battles daily?

Maybe today is the day you need to develop a new Plan A and insure you are making time for our Lord and Savior.  Don’t do it out of obligation then it rarely will affect you. If you know you are weak in this area talk to God and ask Him to help you reorder your earthly priorities. You will be glad you did!

PRAYER: Father I want to hunger and thirst for you but often times I barely even take a nibble. Shame on me. I want to have self control to spend time where it counts. Please help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.