Good Vibes Only

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

One day in my travels I saw a unique sign on the front door of house that read ‘Good Vibes Only’ meaning I guess if you are in a foul mood go elsewhere. I thought it was a excellent way for the homeowner/occupants of the house to let those who entered know they wanted ‘happy’ to prevail if at all possible. No grumps in other words. 

Sometimes in life it is hard to remain joyful and happy. Things in life may have gone haywire and you are trying to “give thanks in all things” but it can be tough. But alas a gloomy outlook won’t help anyone least of all yourself. Confess positive affirmative things on a regular basis whether they are occurring or not. Stay in prayer. Don’t lose hope. The enemy tries to get weapons from his tool box like suicide, anger, divorce, hopelessness, but you just have to pause and push through and recognize stuff like this is not from God, I repeat,NOT from God but straight from the pit of hell. 

No matter what you are facing today give it to God. Try to think on something that makes you smile. Call a friend who is an encourager. Above all never stop praying.

PRAYER: Oh Lord many times in life unexplainable stuff happens and makes me feel there is no way out but there is a way out and I need to hang on. Thanks for the word of God which always brings hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Feeling Unimportant?

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Every once in a while I get a case of the blues. Have you been there? I think if you are honest we can say we all have been. It may not even be for something dire happening in your life but simply a down feeling. Usually this is a sign the enemy is creeping in trying to get your self worth scale to plummet to zero. One day I just wish I was carrying a brief case managing clients in an office. Crazy I know. 

Anyway when this feeling comes over you it is necessary to nip it in the bud and quickly. You can not be very effective for the kingdom of God if you are beating up on yourself. Any wrong thinking has to be cast off and your mind has to be renewed and this is done by getting into the word of God. 

God does not make junk. There will always be people who probably don’t like you no matter how much you try to get them to. You don’t have to have a job in a corporate office or a title to be special. God thinks you’re special. Whatever it is that has got you down today tell Satan out loud that you are a child of God and He made you special so take that devil! 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for my life. I thank you for those people you have placed in my life over the years some still there and some not. I thank you for each experience for from them comes wisdom and knowledge and strength. Help me be a shining light for you and keep my chin up. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Standing In The Gap

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1

What does it mean to stand in the gap for someone in prayer??  Through a ministry I have been a part of for over 22 years now, Moms in Prayer,  I first heard this term. The ladies in the ministry ‘stand in the gap’ in prayer for our children. The word gap could mean ‘God Answers Prayer’ it was said by one of their leaders in a new book being released 7 August.

The gap could be the chasm between the real world of daily problems and God’s provision  in the lives of those you are lifting up in prayer. At times you may feel God has abandoned you or the requests you have made to him on behalf of loved ones but He has not. He hears your prayers. Keep on praying even when you do not see results.

Stand in the gap on behalf of those you love. Cry out to God. Praise him when answers come and even when there is no evidence of an answer yet. Never lose hope.

PRAYER:Your word brings me comfort Lord and I love how I can apply it when I pray for my family members. I know you are working Lord so I will faithfully continue to stand in the gap. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

#startwithpraise

Love God's Word

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

The word of God, the best selling book of all time. But it is way more than a symbol, coffee table decoration, good luck charm, or book of nice moral readings. It is life! In this book we learn what we need to do to stay on the course that God has prepared for us.

If the Bible were not so powerful why do so many atheists liberal groups try to banish it from the public square, the military, the school house, and hotel rooms? I will tell you why! It has the power to change lives and whether they want to admit it or not they must know something is up with it or these folks would not try so hard to do away with it.

God’s word is powerful. This country was founded on it. Our currency proudly displays ‘In God We Trust.’ Satan has people in his court who are trying to destroy the fabric of this great land and one of the things they do is to go after scripture. Love the word. Read the word. Memorize the word. You never know when you won’t be able to find a copy. Don’t take it for granted.

PRAYER: I love to hide the word in my heart so I can call it up in my memory banks when I don’t have a copy of the Bible with me. Forgive me for ever just letting it sit and gather dust. I pray for all believers to make reading it daily a priority even if only a verse or two. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don't Dwell There

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Has something ever captivated your thoughts so much you can’t seem to shake it and let it go? Worry over a loved one. Fear of future. Feeling of rejection. Your imagination can go wild and conjure up all sorts of junk to drag you down. You have to take control.

Don’t dwell on negative thoughts. Negative thinking is irrational at best and can really keep you defeated in your walk with the Lord. Once you have prayed and trusted God believe He has the situation and is working it out and stop fretting. Stay occupied with something else.

Today get going with positive thinking as your mantra. Choose good thoughts. Feed your mind with scripture and don’t allow the enemy to pull you into his pit.

PRAYER: I know I need to let things go that I often dwell on. I know that will not do anything but drag me into an abyss of negativity. I choose to focus on things above. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stop Throwing Rocks

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7

It is easy to find fault with others but maybe not see our own. Similar to this story in Bible about woman caught in act of adultery, and Jesus response. Who are you throwing stones at? 

We humans have a way of classifying sins. Such and such sin is really bad but say maybe the sin of  lying is minor. Ouch. All sin is sin, period. And some sin has been made legal by the laws of government but it is still sin in God’s eyes. You must be careful to stop pointing a finger at others remembering three are pointed right back at you. 

Pray for others instead of judging them. Mind your own business as meddling is never good. Let the Holy Spirit bring conviction. Ask God to even reveal sinful areas in your life you may not be aware of. Remember Romans 3:23 says “We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” Don’t be a stone thrower. 

PRAYER:Bring to mind things in my own life Lord that maybe separate me from you, a bad thought or habit or a sin. Help me confess these and get right with you. If I need to forgive someone help me do that as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

GPS/God's Positioning System

Lord, you have examined me and know all about me.You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them.You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. Psalm 139:1-3
I believe it was Pastor Kerry Shook who I heard talking recently about never being off God’s GPS. You can get lost or misdirected in your car by faulty directions from a manmade GPS but with God he always has you. That is a great word picture. 

The verses for today expound on this. Take time read the entire chapter. There is comfort in knowing God knew us even in our mother’s womb. There are no accidents. He has a plan and purpose for every soul whether they acknowledge Him or not.

Even now wherever you are sitting or standing God is watching you. Naysayers would blow that comment off but it is true. He is the Almighty after all. You are in His thoughts and He loves you immensely. Just think about that today as you go hither and thither doing things you have to do. God is right there and you are not lost. 

PRAYER: I am thankful for being on your GPS Lord and that you care about me even if I feel the world abandoned me. I choose to press forward and trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.