“Stay Cool...I’ve Got This!” God

May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Colossians 1:11

If you have been waiting for a breakthrough for a prayer you have been praying,  you may at times wonder what you are supposed to be learning and if God is really going to deliver the person you have been praying for or the situation you have been lifting up. 

It can be hard but you have to keep trusting, believing, praying and never entertain a shadow of doubt. It may seem a situation is impossible. Remember scripture says what is impossible with man is possible with God. (Luke 18:27)

Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy which cause you to doubt and give up. Press on my friend and believe for what you don’t yet see. 

PRAYER:Your steadfast love never cease and your mercies never come to an end. Break the strongholds in the life of those I pray for and give courage to those waiting on an answer to prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey On!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

We are all on a different spiritual journey. Sometimes during these journeys trials and tests come. Perhaps even the unthinkable, a death. No one is to feel they are mistreated by God. If you have done that understand God is not bringing tragedy on you but can use it in the big scheme of things and guess what? It is all for HIS glory.

No matter what journey you find yourself on press on with your shoulders back and head held high. Never forget to praise God even when in the midst of a storm. Easier said than done but remember God is a God of all comfort.

Once you accept Christ your journey begins. You may wonder why bad stuff seemingly happens but it will. All I can say is God has a way to use everything. Continue staying close to Him in good times and bad. He is on the throne.

PRAYER: I love you Lord and I know there may be a few bumps on the road on my spiritual journey but thank you for what you teach me through them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for a song of worship to go along with this devotion:

https://youtu.be/oYCcFtFwcxo

Blinded By The Lights

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not  looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

In the Hollywood blockbuster ‘The Greatest Showman’ the main character had let fame go to his head and forgot why he ever really wanted to do what he did. Not going to spoil it, so rent it. Anyway fame is like that. It can be ever so fleeting but yet those caught up in it, if not careful can lose sight of their real life before fame. 

Humility is greatly valued in the eyes of God. Not too many people like to hang out with braggarts. One boss I had in the Army used to say “let your virtues speak for themselves” and that is so true. Don’t get puffed up beyond measure. 

When you end up having good things happen to you don’t forget the ‘little people’ who helped you achieve your goals. No man is an island therefore it takes many people to bring glory to one. Please give credit where credit is due and first place would be to God. 

PRAYER: Dear Father I am sorry if  I have ever gotten too big for my britches. Help me Lord to stay humble and down to earth no matter how great an honor I receive. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Warning: Curves Ahead!

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

On interstate 65 near the exit to my town on both north and south bound lanes there are prominent signs warning drivers to slow to 65 because of a very bad curve.  Yet I still observe vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Recently I saw yet again the north bound guard rail smashed due to an accident. When will people learn? 

Your Bible is also a book of warnings that if you don’t heed them you can get totally off track and into a life God never intended. His commandments and teachings are not meant to bully you into submission but are a loving way to say “ if you do this then that won’t happen” but alas ever since the  days of creation mankind in his arrogance has seemingly known more than God. 

I have always heard there is a God shaped hole inside of every human who is born. It is what people choose to fill it up with that counts. Many may know they are doing things contrary to what God desires but yet keep on. The key is to stay in tune with God by reading and studying his word. Hide it in your heart if you will. You will soon see following the Lord makes the enemy very mad and God very glad. 

PRAYER: Father, daddy, I desire to please you just as I desire to please my earthly daddy. I thank you for forgiving me when I have turned my back on you. I pray for those I may know who don’t make time for you to be convicted of the truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tsunami Of Love

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12

The United States needs a love revolution. Angry factions have invaded and attempt to stir up strife and fear. This is not pleasing to God. 

Scripture tells us in Romans 12:21 to overcome evil with good. Lying, scheming, intentionally being disruptive is what I would say is evil. Certainly is not of God. 

What we need is a tsunami of love to sweep America. Pray for those people trying to be disruptive during this political season. Pray for revival to break forth in the hearts of men and women. Always stand for truth and don’t be fooled by the lies of the enemy. Love is from God so let’s live it! 

PRAYER: There is a song that says “They will know we are Christians by our love” so Lord help me always to remember that no matter what! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Following God? Really?

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46

Many people say they go to church, or are religious or something to that effect. You can go to church but do you truly love the Lord? Do you want to please Him or man? Do your daily actions, to include Facebook and other social media posts, and your thoughts and actions truly reflect that you are His follower? Ponder that for a while. 

Sometimes people equate being a Christian with simply being an American or getting baptized as an infant or being a certain denomination or even growing up in a ‘churched’ home. All four of those are no guarantee of your love for the Lord or even your desire to follow Him. You have to decide on your own that you will follow the Lord and have a desire to live for Him. 

After you do, you are on a journey and no one is perfect, but the main thing is in order to know Him better,  you must read His word, the Bible, to grow closer. If you are clueless where to begin start either in the book of John in New Testament or the Psalms or Proverbs. Make Jesus more of a habit than pursuing worldliness. Make sure wherever you go to show God’s love to people around you no matter how you may feel about them and ask God to help you love the unlovely. 

PRAYER: Give me a pure heart Lord. Help me never become haughty in my faith or walk with you. I desire to grow closer. Help me steer clear of stumbling blocks. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

99.9%

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

There are hand sanitizers, disinfectant sprays, dish washing liquids,  and laundry soaps that claim to kill 99.9% of the germs.This is probably a way to keep lawsuits away but I thought it was pretty clever.  If you give your heart to Jesus he doesn’t wash you whiter than snow only 99.9% but 100%.  But likewise when you give your heart to Jesus you don’t hold back and say you need an escape clause to lead your old life. 

When you truly come to know the Lord your old habits are no longer appealing to you. There may be a stronghold or two that needs intervention but basically you give Jesus 100% of your life. This does not mean you become a monk but you live life for Him trying to be an example for Him. Part of this involves saturating your mind with things that build up and not degrade.

Are you all in for Jesus or just 99.9%?

PRAYER: Saturate my mind Lord with you. Give me strength to resist roadblocks the enemy may try to set up and help me recognize them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for a song of worship: https://youtu.be/yj0QzV6Zmpo