Rise Above The Clouds In Life

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

For anyone who has ever flown much you know occasionally there may be some bumps in the air on take off, landing, or along your route. Until you rise above that turbulence and get above the cloud layer it can be nerve racking. Not to worry. Trained pilots are at the helm and you simply need to take a breath and relax. 

Similarly in life there may be bumps along the way and unexpected turbulence when something happens to throw the course of a smooth life into chaos. It is how your react that matters the most.  You can be going along smoothly then there is a bad medical diagnosis, unexpected death, financial crisis, illness and if not properly grounded in the word of God you could take a nose dive in life.  

Always remember the clouds and rough air will go away and there is bright sunshine around the bend.

PRAYER: At times dwelling on negativity or what ifs of life can send me into a tailspin.  I know I need to live day to day and not be anxious about any possible storm clouds that may not even happen. Give me the ability to trust you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t Deny Me A Blessing

"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1
Have you ever attempted to be nice to someone by giving them an unexpected gift or shared something with them only either to have them not want to receive it or be apologetic?

Once I was on my lunch break from work at Fort Knox and eating with several co workers. I happened to comment on one persons huge bright red apple and he says “here take it” and I of course replied “I can’t”. He then says to me “if you don’t take it you will be denying me a blessing.” I have never forgotten that kind gesture which occurred in 1981.

Do you realize you can be a blessing to someone each and every day? A smile. An unexpected kindness. A positive word. A gift. Whatever it is God can and does use you to bless those around you. Go be blessed to be a blessing.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I am grateful the Holy Spirit shows me ways to bring a blessing to others. Help me not to ever toot my own horn because my blessing is in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Take Your Positions!

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'"2 Chronicles  20:17

We are in a battle of Good versus evil, God versus the devil. No in between. The enemy is tricky. He doesn’t like Christians, the Bible, prayer, crosses, or anything remotely righteous. His tactic is simple....kill, steal, deceive, and destroy. 

It is time for believers to man their battle stations and stand firm against the tactics of Satan. He has deceived many. We are not to fight against man, but demonic forces of darkness that have tricked people. 

You can be loving or you can be hateful. The fruit of a Christ follower is always about love and prayer. Pray for those who may have been under the powerful delusion of Satan to be set free. Take your battle stations by using the Word of God and prayer. 

PRAYER: Help me shine the love of God to those confused souls who may be under a strong delusion as the Bible calls it. Help me stay knowledgeable of the word so I am never deceived. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Read And Practice

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

No matter what it is in life you do in order to do it your best, practice is involved. An Olympic medalist did not get on the podium by simply reading a book but many hours of practice were involved to achieve his or her goals.

Similarly when you accept Jesus as Lord of your life that is NOT where it ends. If you want to intimately know Him and have fellowship it involves spending time in prayer and Bible reading and study. You don’t just accept Jesus and expect that is it. If you have a friend they would not be your friend long if you did not make an effort to get to know them better by spending time with them.

Jesus is not going to force himself on you but if you say you love Him why not show it by doing things to get to know Him better. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to have sweet fellowship daily. I know it grieves your heart when I ignore you. I choose to make quality time daily to know you better no matter what is going on around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bumpy Roads Sometimes Take Time To Fix

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7 

No one is immune to trouble in their lives. It could be you or a family member. And living for Jesus is no guarantee your live will always be smooth sailing. Some of you may want to shake your fist and say “why doesn’t God care?” He does care.

Standing strong in the midst of whatever storm you are currently encountering will indeed be good in the long run. You can’t see it now but all things you go through help shape you and make you a stronger person even able to perhaps help another with a struggle they may be encountering. 

As hard as it is try to praise God in the midst of the battle you are in. Don’t curse Him or leave your faith or stop going to church. Keep praying. Get in the Psalms and read some of the struggles King David endured. You are going to be okay or the person you are praying for so hang on to the rope.

PRAYER: Father give me words to help those who may be in a struggle right now. Help me learn when to speak and when to be silent and give supernatural strength to any who are feeling they can’t go on. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link below for an awesome song of worship:

https://youtu.be/DoqbKyeKOBI

For your info:

National Suicide Hotline 800-273-8255

24/7 Prayer from 700 Club 800-823-6053

Extreme Hate...Not From God

And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. Mark 3:25

Our country seems to be in a civil war of sorts. Those who name Jesus as Lord need to examine your hearts and if you have hatred confess it and ask the Holy Spirit to heal it.

The enemy is behind all the hatred, uprisings, agitated demonstrators and God’s will for this great nation is peace. Satan would love to eradicate our great democracy and we can not allow that to happen. Many are hearing and believing lies and division even among family members occurs. Once again this is spiritual warfare not a war against flesh and blood.

My intent is to pass on to all brothers and sisters in Christ that love should be your highest aim. Pray for troublemakers and people who are angry and deceived. An excerpt from President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address says “This nation under God will not perish from this Earth.”Christians need to seriously pray for our country and make it a priority. Don’t take freedom for granted.

PRAYER: Freedom is a gift from God. Tyrants, communists, and others who hate Christians would like to destroy our unique and blessed country. Wake your people up to pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fortune Cookie Faith

“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:31

Fortune cookies are a fun way to end an Asian meal but by no means should you take stock in fortunes, Palm readers, or the daily horoscope. Don’t follow mans made up stuff but follow the Holy Spirit. 

It is the Lord Jesus Christ you should seek out. Why are people so perplexed about the concept of going to the word of God for answers? The word is full of answers and you benefit from it and get closer to God. Messing with fortunes and the like is dabbling in the spirit world which is not of God.  

As the Halloween season approaches this may seem like a fun and innocent time and often it seems people decorate more for this day than on Christmas. The fascination with ghosts and the like may seem okay but you are also not closer to God are you when you do it? Even Christians fall into the trap of innocent fun with all sorts of things but ask the Holy Spirit before you go to that Halloween movie or dress your child like a witch or devil if you really should. I think you might already know the answer.

PRAYER: This world throws so much garbage at us and it is up to me Lord as a believer to stand my ground and to choose what not to participate in if it brings no glory to you. Help me be discerning and not dabble in anything bordering on witchcraft or Satanic  practices. In Jesus’ name. Amen.