The Great One

And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household."Acts 16:31

Recently Billy Graham went to be with his Heavenly Father. He was a humble servant yet known the world over. He would probably not like all the hoopla surrounding his death because He would say that is not me in that pine coffin because I am in Heaven. He would reject the title of great, reverend, doctor because he was simply Billy.

Somehow we humans get hung up on worshipping and idolizing other humans. Fame is so fleeting yet what Mr. Graham had was an anointing from God to preach the gospel around the world. A simple message millions responded to. His message was straight from the word of God with no man made rules mankind often adds to it.

Do you know Jesus? Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if you breathed your last breath today you would be ushered into the Heavenly kingdom? Religion won’t save you. A denomination won’t save you. Baptism alone won’t save you but it is simple repentance and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you have not done that why not get on your knees and right now ask Jesus to be Lord of your life.

PRAYER: I am grateful for the blessing of humans like Billy Graham and pray His message continues that being the simple truth of salvation and repenting of your sins. I pray many come to know you Lord. So many don’t think hell is real but it is. Help me to share your news with as many as I can. I pray for those who don’t know you to come to a saving knowledge of you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Take Captive Wrong Thinking

"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” Luke 6:45

I know the drill. I am a former airline industry employee and am aware of the joys as well as pitfalls of standby travel. On a recent day I let it get the better of me. All sorts of wrong thoughts were popping into my head as I tried to ‘figure things out’ and not just sit patiently to find out if a standby seat was available for me on the airline my son works for. I allowed outside factors to control me and not my trust in God. I was literally beating myself up for not planning better. But that was never the problem. 

The issue here is trust and patience as well as being still. I have waited at airport before the entire day to get a seat or to be told try again tomorrow. It is maddening but you can’t let it get you in a slump like where I was headed if I didn’t recognize it and snap out of it. 

Worry, doubt, fear, inferiority complex, all these begin in your mind and can captivate you if you allow them too. When you control your thoughts intentionally, your day is much better. The more you think negative thoughts the more you become sad and depressed. It is necessary to get a handle on wrong thinking before it destroys you. 

PRAYER: I am indeed grateful for the ability to get your power to break strongholds in my life that attempt to consume me. No weapon formed against me will prosper. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Forgotten Savior

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. 1 Timothy 4:1

What causes people to turn their backs on Jesus and fall out of love with Him? Maybe they were not that in love with Him in first place or use lame excuses like blaming him for so and so dying and not  stepping in and preventing it. Perhaps they were just church members or baptized as a baby and no real relationship ever developed. It breaks my heart. Maybe they  found the wrong group of friends who led them away into more exciting things to do on Sunday and why on Earth would they waste a sunny weekend morning in church?

The only one who can lead a person to falling in love or back in love with Jesus is the Holy Spirit. What you love you do lots. If you love Jesus then naturally you would want to get to know Him better and that is through His word. Finding a dynamic church home that you like so much you look forward to Sunday is another thing. Like I said, only the Holy Spirit convicts. Not nagging wives, meddling mothers, or pushy friends. Deep down if a person ever had a real relationship that spark is there but the enemy tried to extinguish it.

If you know of a person like I have described be still and keep praying. Those type of people probably aren’t interested in devotions so won’t see things like this. Keep praying for them to answer that knock on their hearts door. Keep praying for conviction to be brought upon them. Pray that what breaks Jesus’ heart breaks theirs. More importantly keep loving and don’t lose hope!

PRAYER: Oh Father my heart aches for many people with adult children who walk away from their first love or people who never really loved you in the first place. Religion leads people astray but a relationship with you is what is important. I pray for patience for anyone waiting on someone to get excited about you again! In Jesus’ name.Amen. 

Click link for a song pf worship to go along with today's devotion:

https://youtu.be/Jo8dgK4RvWM

Oscar Who?

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Psalm 101:3

I love movies and tonight are the  Academy Awards. The movies that typically win are ones where Hollywood wants to push their idea of normal or their agenda or at least that has been the case the past few years. The whole event often turns in to a conservative Christian bashing so I really almost hate to watch as I don’t care for political agendas masquerading as the Oscars. Two wonderful historical films are nominated for which I hope don’t get ignored that being 'The Darkest Hour' and 'Dunkirk'. 

Just because society says something is good or award winning doesn’t mean anything. A person needs to use discretion in what they choose to put into their minds. An Oscar doesn’t necessarily mean worth viewing especially if values or morals are being compromised. Lately many films attempt to desensitize people to sin. Unless you stay grounded in God’s word you may believe a lie. 

Don’t follow the worlds ways but choose God’s ways. God’s way brings life and truth. The worlds' ways lead you astray and keep you away from things of God. Don’t purposely watch things you know would not please the Lord. Now go enjoy a good movie. There are many fine ones who never get an Oscar nod. 

PRAYER: Lord help me use discernment in the movies I view and not just watch stuff that deals with things I know are against God’s word. I pray for writers and others who create films to come to know you. I am thankful for good directors and writers who produce things to build up. I am also thankful for Pure Flix, Affirm Films, and The Kendrick Brothers for their quality filmmaking.  In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

State of Mind

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 10:5

There is a melody that’s says “I’m in a New York state of mind.” Your state of mind is rather important and what you fill your mind with even more so. Garbage in, garbage out the saying goes. 

Allowing violent video games, lewd movies and TV, inappropriate reading material can all lead to a depraved mind. The mind and heart go hand in hand and if you want a joyful heart your mind needs a good diet and a good portion of that should be Jesus. How many well meaning Christians are spiritually starving themselves. If talk shows, the newspaper, secular TV take up most of your day what do you suppose your mind is going to be like?
Now is the time to step back and take inventory of what you allow to enter your mind. Parents you are responsible to do the same for your children. Put God’s word into the hearts of those little ones even when they are lying in a crib. If you don’t fill their mind someone else will. Be careful to watch over your own as well. 

PRAYER: My mind is a powerful tool and I need to treat it with respect. Help me fill it with truth and your word and learn to recognize the lies of the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Strife

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! Psalm 133:1

Lately I have heard of many friends estranged from family members. Bitterness, strife,and hatred abound. The family  is important and many factors go into making a healthy functional one but let the enemy get a foothold he destroys the family. Siblings angry and refusing to reconcile. A parent who disowns their own flesh and blood. Just meanness when Satan gets his way. This is never what God wanted.

It could be a host of factors contributing to this breakdown but the underlying cause is the great divider and destroyer Satan. He destroys marriages, breaks up friendships, drives wedges in family relations. Until you realize this and want to do something it will remain the same. 

Every relationship and every person is redeemable. God Loves even jerks, believe it or not. Maybe you are reading this and have no issues but know of others who do. Lift them up to Jesus to be healed, restored, and  set free. Going through life bitter and full of strife was never God’s Plan. Forgive those who have hurt you even if you feel they are unworthy. No one is unworthy in God’s eyes. Don’t wish evil on others but ask God to heal and set them free. Then pray for your own heart to be healed. 

PRAYER: You desire unity and peace in relationships. I pray for those I know who are at odds with a family member. I pray for the family unit to be healed and restored as you intended it in the first place. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Upgraded

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.Matthew 23:12

First class treatment sure is nice. You should never feel entitled to it but when it does occur you feel special. It might be a first class seat on an airplane which is most common upgrade people relate to. The rental car companies occasionally may upgrade to a nicer snazzier vehicle for no extra charge and that too is special. Your hotel room may be upgraded to a suite from a studio. The feeling of luxury is what it is about.

Jesus never got upgraded yet He never complained. A humble servant born in a cattle stall lying in hay. Imagine the complaints today if a woman doesn’t get a private room at the hospital for her babies delivery. Oh my goodness feathers would fly. Be content in whatever circumstances you are in and if you surprisingly find yourself getting upgraded or promoted give God the glory. It is He who helps you find favor with those around you.

As you go about your day look for ways you can be an upgrade in a person’s life around you. Pay for the person behind you in the drive through is one idea that comes to mind. Be willing and ready to answer the call to upgrade those around you and not always think about yourself.

PRAYER:Thank you for upgrades in my life. Use me Lord to help another be upgraded. Show me creative ways to bless others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.