Welcome Home __________!

Many  will say to me on that day, 'LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then  I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matthew 7:22-23

When a believer dies and passes from this temporary dwelling place on to  his or her Heavenly home there will be a a celebration in Heaven. In addition God will probably say “Welcome Home___________” and add your name.  In 2 Peter 3:9 it says “The LORD is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 

There are many people who probably think church membership is enough to get them into Heaven. Perhaps some denominations feel their way is the only way. You and I are called to repent of our sins and believe but with this should come a desire to spend time with the Lord. You do this by reading the Bible and praying. I also speculate there are those persons who feel that just being good and nice is their ticket to Heaven. 

Do you know that if you were to breathe your last breath today you would instantly be in Heaven? Think about that. No doubting but assurance. Heaven is not inherited but each person has to ask Jesus to come into their heart. Have you done so today?

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that I know this is only my temporary dwelling place and there awaits a glorious home in Heaven. Help me be able to share this with others and also I lift up those people who make fun of your word and your kingdom that they should come to repentance. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

F.A.T.

Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24

During the recent funeral of Billy Graham his brother Reverend Ned Graham used the acronym above for believers that we need to be faithful, available, and teachable. He did not expound on it so I will do so. 

First, faithful to be a follower of Christ. Next, available to go wherever God may send you to minister and serve. Finally, to be teachable and not think you have all the answers. Just tell yourself to be F.A.T. and see where and what God has for you. Don’t go hide like Jonah did  and get thrown overboard but be ready to answer the call. If God has a plan He finds you even if you try to hide.

Pray for courage to answer the call. Don’t equate busyness with being a great servant but rather a willing heart to do what He calls you to do. 

PRAYER: I realize answering your call does not mean packing up and moving around the world but then again it may. Help me not to be so busy that I can’t hear your voice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Straight Outta Romans

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1

Our society today is in a downfall when culture is listened to and referred to more than God’s word, and sometimes by Christians. It is shameful what is being approved as normal and accepted in society. We who dare speak up are threatened with loss of our First Amendment right to free speech and called hateful. But this is in the Bible.

Take some time and read Romans chapter 1 in the New Testament. All sorts of vile things are going on there and being sanctioned and approved. The ability to distinguish between right and wrong and good and evil should not be a Democrat thing or a Republican thing but a God thing. Killing babies in the womb oh my goodness. How can anyone think this is okay? If you do, I beg you to search your heart today. The sacred bond of marriage is from the Bible not about marrying whoever you love. I have people close to me confused about this issue yet I love and press on. 

There are many who truly are lost and don’t know the Lord and others who Satan has deceived and made to believe lies. Only the Holy Spirit brings conviction. Keep praying my friend and keep being a light in the darkness. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for helping me not despair or lose hope when I see the way the culture has shifted. This is what happens when Satan’s lies are believed but it is so sad when he grabs hold of a family member or friend and pulls them in. I will keep praying and keep sharing the truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is Your Light Shining?

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:16

If you have a light and hide it under a blanket it is useless for illuminating the space around it. Christians are called to be a ‘light’ yet how many of us are afraid to really shine? 

The Bible tells us in Mark 8:38 to “be not ashamed” yet in a Holy huddle it may be easy to shine but as a Lone Ranger a bit intimidating. Of course Satan does not want you to shine and he will get you concerned over what will people think and stuff like that. You need to be prepared to be able to share the reason for Hope that is in you. Don’t lead two lives but be conformed to the image of Christ and shine all over the place. 

Are you prepared today to shine for Jesus even when you emotionally or mentally may not feel up to it? Wherever you are today whether in a chemo infusion room, court, car pool, scene of a rear end collision, check out stand with slow clerk, on the phone with a telemarketer, remember to let Jesus love shine out of you no matter what you may be going through. Others will notice. 

PRAYER: I want to shine for you Lord but have to admit sometimes it is hard. I allow Satan to put garbage in my mind and then start getting fearful or just don’t feel like it. Give me strength to break through my feelings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus IS The Answer!

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

With the recent passing of evangelist Billy Graham, all of America, and the world, was focused on God whether they wanted to be or not. Billy preached for over 6 decades with the simple message of people need Jesus and at the revivals worldwide offered the opportunity to ask Jesus into your heart. 

Many,  if not all the problems our world faces today could be solved if only Jesus were part of the equation. The hatred, angry Facebook posts, murder of children in the womb, breakdown of the traditional family, living in sin, school shootings, lying, adultery, and much more. You take away prayer and try to get rid of the Bible and look out! Why are so many people not getting it? Because they don’t have Jesus in their heart and think the world holds the key to the problems. 

Satan wants to see America destroyed because of what we were founded on. He has confused the minds of many lots of times through higher educational institutions who many times claim to know more than God or parents. Also Satan uses the news media to trick people into believing certain things. Revival is needed. God is working though His people and His heart breaks for the evil and lies being perpetuated in our great land sometimes even sanctioned to appear ‘right’ due to being made a law. Brother and sister be in fervent prayer for those you may know being led astray and pray for a heart change for those in government trying to resist the elected government and create chaos. Above all pray for revival and awakening in this great nation. 

PRAYER: I know the truth sets people free and it is so easy to get led astray by the enemy if the word of God is not opened, read, and studied. Help me Lord be alert to evil spirits trying to tear apart our great land and pray for those who seek to undermine our President to come to know the truth and truth set them free.  Help people break away from Republican or Democrat and seek the truth in God’s word only!  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Where Is Your Dwelling Place?

Whoever  dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Think about that question for a moment. Where, in fact, do you ‘dwell’? You may answer your home, or wherever you hang out most. But for the purpose of this writing my question to you is, “do you dwell in the shadow of the Almighty?”

What does it mean to dwell anyway? I would say are you in His presence daily and desire to be? Do you make it a habit to live for Jesus and cast your concerns and burdens upon Him? If you go on to read the entire Chapter 91 which many use as a safety prayer of sorts you will see that God indeed should be the one who is your dwelling place. Sure you ‘dwell’ in an Earthly home built by man, but indeed if you are a Christian your ultimate dwelling is under the shadow of ‘God’s wings’ where in other words He ‘has’ you if you let Him have you.

So does that sort of make you think where in fact you do dwell? Do you stay under His wings or get out with no concern of where you ‘dwell’? Let Him be your dwelling place from now on.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven I know if I stay under your wings you are my protection from the storms of life. I choose to do this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Delete That!

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Colossians 3:8

Ever try to delete things from your mobile device only to find them still there later and the time wasted you were supposedly deleting? Bad habits and sin can keep popping up too. That is not a good thing. You know you are wrong and want to stop but there you go again repeating something you know is dragging you down hill. 

It could be judging others. Maybe it is coveting others possessions or not being happy with what God has blessed you with. Perhaps it viewing movies you know to be questionable and thus putting stuff in your mind and heart that have no business there. You catch yourself saying “I can’t stand her” when you know you are commanded to love. This is a partial list but the idea is these things need a big deletion.

No one is perfect and everyone slips up. Don’t let Satan lie to you to make you feel it is okay because in your heart you know it is not. Suggestion would be to make a daily habit of feeding on the word of God and purge wrong junk from your life. God can help you if you really want to. 

PRAYER: I can’t do anything with out your help Lord because the sinful nature wants to drag me into wrong thinking and behavior. I choose to run from this stronghold. In Jesus’ name. Amen.