Stay Outraged...Say What?

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. JAMES 1:19-20

Bumper stickers sure tell lots about people and at times you may fearful to come face to face with some of the drivers. Recently I saw a sticker declaring ‘Stay Outraged’ and thought “oh my goodness” this poor, angry hurting soul. To run around daily purposely being angry would take lots of energy. Much better to seek for peace, love, and cooperation.

Many things can agitate people but my advice would be to separate yourself from the source of the anger. Maybe that is to not watch news.  Christians especially should seek to be peaceful and loving and confess any anger they are feeling and ask the Lord to help you deal with it in a proper manner.

Anger breaks things, hurts people, and can even kill in worse case scenarios. Don’t be a person who is outraged. Pray asking God to take away any anger and  replace it with love, peace, joy, and forgiveness. Anger is a tool in the enemies arsenal so don’t fall prey to it. Run.

PRAYER: Daily Lord I seek you. I pray for those people in our world constantly trying to create trouble. I ask for your Holy Spirit to deliver those who walk purposely in anger. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Make God Great Again!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' Mark 12:30

There is a familiar political slogan ‘Make America Great Again’ but in addition to that how about we also make God Great Again?! Don’t make Him an after thought or a prayer in times of struggle but a regular awesome 24-7 part of your everyday existence. 

Now for those unfamiliar with loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind I might sound a tad overboard and what some would call a fanatic and my response “so be it, what’s the problem?” You are not on this planet to just be busy and take up space but each creation of God, that’s you and me, has a distinct reason he or she was born. 

Do you know there are a couple verses in the Bible that mention not being ashamed(see Mark 8:38) of God yet how many are even too embarrassed to offer grace in public? Do you want to love God with all your heart? It doesn’t mean you run off and become a monk but to simply really be devoted to him and growing in your Christian walk. Start each day with a prayer just simply talking to God. Next get into the Bible. Start with Psalms or Proverbs. Don’t do ‘religion’ but seek a relationship with Jesus. 

PRAYER: There was a time I was a church goer and that is where it ended. Then the lights came on. I pray for any reading this who don’t know you to run from worldly pursuits which make war with their soul and to run to you. I pray for each person to examine their hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Rejection Hurts Like Crazy

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Isaiah 53:3

Many of you have probably been the victim of rejection at either the hand of a spouse, employer, family member or friend. It down right hurts. Think about Jesus and his ultimate rejection. It does not make the sting of yours go away but let’s you know he gets it. 

There are those today who claim they believe in Jesus but yet reject him by their lack of time for him in their daily life. The world seems to grab their attention and love more than the Almighty. Hopefully no one reading has put Jesus on the shelf so to speak. If so why? 

What is more important than making time for the Lord? Don’t be captivated by the lust of the world and buy into enemies lie of you don’t need fellowship. Don’t reject Jesus. He loves you so why not live for Him daily. 

PRAYER: Oh how I love Jesus and how my heart is broken for those who don’t get it. I choose to embrace all you have for me Lord. Use me to help others come to want you in their lives again or for the very first time. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Embracing God’s Standards?

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
Today’s world in 2018 is very confusing. You have to stand for something or you will fall for anything. You can’t have good morals and character apart from God, it is impossible. Just because the government approved something doesn’t make it God’s way, remember that. 

Who do you listen to, modern culture and friends or the word of God? Many well meaning people who say they believe God’s word don’t even crack it open. You have to read it and have to believe it and apply it. Period. 

Who is setting your standards? Who is your heart sold out to? Have you left your first love and expect things to go well even when you ignore God’s knock at your heart? Set your standards high and don’t leave Jesus on the doorstep. It won’t work. 

PRAYER: Oh Father I want to keep my standards high. I want to show love not judgement to others. I pray for those I know who have drifted away. Draw them back to you so you can be their highest standard. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Forget Something??

Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

All of us have forgotten things. Keys are the biggie and there is a device you can buy called a Tile to place on key ring to help you locate them. Other things are glasses, debit card, address books, change of underwear or a fresh towel in a gym bag, brief case, or a badge to get in the office. We forget, it happens. 

One thing you never want to forget on a daily basis is to put on your ‘armor’ by this I mean your spiritual armor.  Reading God’s word daily helps protect you from the onslaught of the enemy, the devil and demonic forces which are out there in the world.

It does not take a rocket scientist, of which there are many in my area due to NASA being here, to make you aware that we are in a real battle when right is called wrong and vice versa. When laws are made to protect evil and sin, my goodness the battle rages on. Only the intervention of the Holy Spirit and God will help us turn back the darkness in our world and help the lost find their way to the foot of the cross. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus awaken me each day to not do anything else until I ‘hide’ some scripture in my heart. The morning news or paper may beckon but help me choose what is for eternity over the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for an awesome song of praise and worship:

https://youtu.be/SUvpBphq5og

Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk...Clean It Up

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness. Titus 2:7

Everyone reading no doubt has probably spilled milk, water, soda pop, coffee you name it it has tipped over and made a mess. Have you ever been in a public place and witnessed this? If so you could actually jump in and help the embarrassed person clean it up and perhaps be a good witness to people watching as well. Not so you get glory but to show a random act of kindness and brighten another’s day. 

Look around for ways you can help a down trodden person. Look at bad moments as opportunities to work for the kingdom of God. “Not to us but to your name goes the glory” it says in Psalm 115 verse one. You don’t need a medal or thank you note just do it for God. 

Be a servant not just in public places but in the quiet places of your home to your spouse and your children or to an extended family member. Do things that are not expected. Now go clean up that milk! 

PRAYER: Oh Lord I always want to have the attitude it may not be my job to help but I want to. Litter, spilled drinks, and other situations. I want you to get the glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for song of praise and may God be lifted up:

 https://binged.it/2MUUJad

Let There Be Light!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:14-15

When a light comes on in a dark place it is really noticeable. I was at Barnes and Noble Cafe early one morning when only the cafe was lit up. When the entire store was to open a short time later a flood of light came on. It was amazing the difference this made. 

Did you know as a Christian you are to be the light of the world like a city set on a hill that can not be hidden? You are not to try to slink away and not be noticed. If you are shining God’s light you will be noticed. You will have sort of a heavenly glow about you others can notice. Just like the Christian children’s song goes “under a bushel basket NO, I’m gonna let it shine” you too are to radiate for Jesus wherever you are. 

Can you let your  ‘little light shine shine shine” even if you are having an issue filled day? I guarantee you will feel better. Now go shine on!

PRAYER: I feel so much better when I am shining for you than when I am in a foul mood. I know I can help draw others to you when I let your light shine through me to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for a wonderful tune to brighten your day:

https://youtu.be/QCN893hzueQ