Conditioned....To What?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Sometimes in life,  if you always did something a certain way even though a need for change is staring you in the face or better yet the Holy Spirit is bringing conviction on you, you still continue to operate as you always have due to conditioning. Maybe deep down you know what it right but mental conditioning has kept you in a rut.

It could be voting for a political  party that does not hold to Christian values even though you know you should change. It could be leading a lifestyle that you know does not please the Lord. It could be being saturated with too many morning shows only because you have always grown up that way. These are examples.

Let the Holy Spirit recondition your heart to love, pray, care, hear God’s voice, and not judge others. The only person you should care about what they think is God. How are you doing? Ponder that for a while.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus convict those people who have been stuck in a habit of doing things a certain way of the need to change if what they are doing or believing does not glorify you. Help me stay sensitive to the truth in your word so I do not stumble. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Someone Is Watching

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

About to say an ugly comment to your spouse? Maybe tell off a clerk at a store? Become rude to a telemarketer? Did you know you should not be concerned as much about setting a horrible Christlike example as you should breaking God’s heart? He is ALWAYS watching so public opinion is not the main reason for self control in situations where you want to spout off. 

What prompted me to write this subject was observing a couple in a waiting room seemingly in the midst of a disagreement. The wife had a horrible scowl on her face and the husband seemed gentle natured. Granted I don’t know where they stood with the Lord but it made me think about how I as a believer needed to let my light shine around others so I could bring glory to Jesus.

Today before you start your day you may not feel good inside but try if you can to smile and start your day thanking God for allowing you to be alive  and giving Him praise and glory. You never know who will be watching. 

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for the gift of life. At times things have irritated me but if I speak help me remember I am an example for the kingdom of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Jesus Tour 2018!

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13

Isn’t it funny how humans can get all excited about musicians or a Broadway tour? Tee shirts and other souvenirs fly off the shelves to prove ‘we were there’! 

Why don’t we brothers and sisters in Christ go on a ‘tour’ of our own sorts spreading His love wherever we go. Work, playgrounds, schools, barber or beauty shop, nail salon, movie theaters, restaurants and a host of other places. It is exciting to be salt and light don’t you think? 

You can be on ‘tour’ 24-7 pumped up for bringing others into the kingdom. Can you make it your mission statement to be kind and loving and let The Holy Spirit use you however He will to bring others into eternal life. 

PRAYER: I am so very grateful to be able to look at my daily life as being an active witness for you Lord. Guide my thoughts and my words to always help show your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: got the idea for today’s devotion title from Dino Rizzo, Missions Director, Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, AL.

My Stuff

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But  store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. Matthew 6:17-21

Our time on Earth many times is spent acquiring earthly possessions some necessary and some not so much. The continual need for ‘stuff’ results in packed attics, cluttered homes, crowded closets, and overflow in storage units. Ask yourself why are you keeping this ‘stuff’. Much of what we have is totally unnecessary. 

Hopefully when you get to a certain age you will begin  to realize it is time to downsize. I used to ask myself  “want or need” before a purchase and go from there. Many of us have way too many things in our own closets so that is a good starting point. 

When you are doing this project to purge, just think about how good it will feel to clean clutter out. Don’t be afraid to give away or throw away. The day you start your project,  pray and ask God for wisdom and strength to do what is needed for a clutter free life. 

PRAYER: I thank you for the blessing of earthly possessions but I never want them to own me or get to the point I am a cluttered mess. Help me Lord to see the need for organization in life and start from there. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Connectivity

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

In the society we live in today electronic connectivity is extremely crucial to business and other aspects of life. Use of the cell phone nonstop has even created a new condition called ‘text neck’. To be able to use our devices it is necessary to get a good wireless signal wherever you are. At times it can be maddening.

Aren’t you glad that you don’t need a wireless connection or modem to connect to the Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth? He never leaves us, never forsakes us, and He is Good all the time. 

Try something when you are able. Go somewhere and leave you phone and other hand held devices at home. You may think you need them but much of the usage of them is an addiction. How about establishing a new greater addiction and that is to quietness and a paper Bible. Give it a try. Now go and have a blessed day. 

PRAYER: Quietness is a wonderful thing. It is hard to hear your voice Lord when I over-schedule my day. Your voice comes from reading the word of God daily. Many who call themselves Christians fail to get their strength from it daily I included. Help me Lord not to let other mundane unimportant things squeeze you out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Broken Hearted But Hanging On

The  LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

A broken heart hurts. Not necessarily the kind of broken heart from a relationship break up but the brokenness of your spirit and soul groaning over an issue in your life or a close family member where God has not shown up yet. The waiting period is tough. 

During your time of waiting you have to hang on to God’s rope and not give the devil an opportunity to drag you into despair. No matter what you see, hear, or feel, keep praying and believing God has got whatever situation it is. 

My friend Satan roars around tricking, deceiving, lying to the masses but when it hits home it may be much harder when you have to personalize your spiritual warfare against him. Keep looking up and trusting God for victory. 

PRAYER: Lord how magnificent you are and you care deeply for those crushed and wounded in spirit. Whatever the battle you are there to comfort and I am grateful for that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fear/Peace/Trust

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.Isaiah 26:3

I love to fly and I am not normally a white knuckle flyer but every now and then when an unusual bump occurs it gets my heart racing for sure. When I was in Alaska hiking on a island inhabited by black bears I didn’t think about being scared till we saw one. 

So what gets you scared? Do you know you can not live life petrified and tensed up all the time?Not only will it give you high blood pressure but will rob you of joy and peace. Trust and faith are the necessary components. 

Whether going in for medical tests, worrying about getting rear ended by a tractor trailer, or encountering an alligator in the Everglades you need God’s perfect peace. Where are you at today? 

PRAYER: Father I know you care for the smallest of creatures and I am no exception. Some fear may be normal but give me strength when I encounter situations like above to be still. In Jesus’ name. Amen.