Twisted Words

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

 

Why can’t we all just get along? Lately many people who don’t like our President have said very hateful things about him. The news media won’t even report on all the good things he has done which are many, and elected leaders march on existing it seems for sole purpose of discord and twisting the truth. Why oh why can’t we get along? 

Whenever I branch out into writing anything seemingly political I get hateful comments.  I happen to be on a 24-7 Prayer call many days solely for the purpose of lifting up our leaders, issues in society, trying to keep God in America, and prayer for the election. Many need to simply to turn off the news, period. Instead go to your knees in prayer and pray for all the discord and attacks to end and those lying tongues sowing discord to cease. The enemy is roaming around like a roaring lion for sure and has captured many innocent victims who believe the untruths and build up immense hatred in their hearts. 

As this political season approaches I urge you to vote asking the Holy Spirit to guide you. Don’t let a ‘dyed in the wool’ tradition or  attitude you have always held without facts to back it up, cause you to cast a vote the wrong way. There is good and there is evil. There is right and there is wrong. Look in the Bible and the truth is all there. Go have a blessed day. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord Jesus I lift up those political leaders who have been stirring up hate against our President. I pray for protection for people from attacks physical and verbal. I pray for the spirit of love to replace the spirit of division satan has been at work sowing in our country. I lift up those who are believing lies and not showing love. Help us to pray for those we disagree with and always show love. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Here’s The Scoop

“This is the verdict: Light had come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” – John 3:19

Thank goodness Halloween is over. There seems to be so much fascination with darkness. Why? The verse for the day says “men loved darkness instead of light” and when you see non stop evil and hate in this world you know Satanic warfare is in full force. 

During the weeks before Halloween it was difficult in my area to find an edifying family film. Most movies in theaters were highlighting evil, darkness, fright, and death. Yet masses support this darkness and even some believers. 

Why not work towards having a fascination with the ‘light’ and seek to do things to bring more of that ‘light’ not only into your life but into the world around you? When you see despicable acts of hatred pray for the person and ask the Holy Spirit to make Himself known to them. Let’s start giving the scoop that love, light and truth win out in the end. 

PRAYER:Lord Jesus use me to bring goodness and mercy to those around me. Help me not get angry at those spreading darkness but to pray for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s 🏆 Trophy

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

You may have never received any medals, trophies or other human accolades but did you know to the Almighty you are a prize indeed and worth more than rubies and gold. Maybe you grew up in a situation where you were mistreated or abandoned altogether. God will never abandon you my child. 

This title came to me in the oddest of ways. I was hiking at a local park when I looked down and saw a child’s play trophy laying on the ground. Now I took it as a sign from the Lord that he loved me and I was more valuable than a piece of metal. Many may say “whoa she has lost her marbles” but I say no because the Holy Spirit speaks to us in many ways. 

Do you feel valued today? Maybe you were never Homecoming Queen, Quarterback on the football team, Valedictorian, Boston Marathon winner, Oscar nominated, and a host of other things we humans think we need to feel good about ourselves but you my friend are loved so much beyond measure by God. Never forget that. He is your trophy. 

PRAYER: I am very thankful even when humans reject me or don’t reward me that it does not matter because you do. Thanks for all you do for me Lord and the ways you use me to impact others. Help me never strive for human greatness and if it comes to stay grounded. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Escaping From The Stronghold Of Wrong Thinking

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts  itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5

You may have heard the saying “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop” and there is some truth to that.  When you mind is not involved with fruitful activities, work, projects, and other meaningful things it can drift into places it has no business. ‘Stinking thinking’ as author and Bible teacher Joyce Meyer affectionately calls it. 

This wrong thinking is a real stronghold that needs to be broken before it breaks you. Anytime you catch yourself thinking wrong things or fabricated scenarios that don’t even exist, stop right there and ask God to help you break that stronghold which can damage relationships and even cause you to say or do things you will regret. 

Right now purpose in  your heart you will not go there. If this is a weak point for you the enemy knows it and you might struggle to break free but you CAN do it. Allow your thoughts to be on HIM. If your mind breaks into pity parties stop right there and tear up the invitation and don’t go to the party. Start reading scripture.get on your knees and pray. With God’s help you can crush this stronghold. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit I welcome you into my thoughts and my conversation. I thank you for giving me the mind of Christ and I choose to cast off wrong thoughts that could disable me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Staying Focused

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

The enemy is out to destroy Christians. He hates a Christian nation. He hates prayer. He hates righteous people and will put all sorts of stumbling blocks in their paths to get them discouraged.

Never get mad at people but get mad at Satan who uses people to do his work.  Pray for those people who are being deceived and doing evil. It is spiritual warfare, God and the devil. It has been that way since the beginning of time. Pray for those you know who are caught up in believing lies. 

Stay focused on ‘above’ no matter how much bad stuff you see around you. Right now we are in a battle for our Christian nation and it has greatly divided us. Brothers and sisters in other countries who read this please keep America in your prayers. Don’t become discouraged. Stay on your knees and keep looking up. 

PRAYER: They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. This love includes not stooping to the level of others with ugly social media posts or lashing back at others. Think about it. God versus the devil. Morality versus corruption. Lord we need you and we pray for strongholds to be broken in the minds of many who are captured by the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Who Is Being Tricked Anyway?

I will set no base or wicked thing before my eyes. I hate the work of them who turn aside [from the right path]; it shall not grasp hold of me.Psalm 101:3

Alas that long awaited odd holiday is upon us that being Halloween. In my day as a child it was innocent but now it is a multi million dollar business with free standing Halloween stores offering their wares anything from innocent Cinderella costumes to ghouls and bloody vampires. Sometimes it appears more celebrated than the saviors birth. There is no hard and fast scripture forbidding it per se but should a Christian be caught up in something that can lean more on dark than on light? 

Wizards, ghosts, witches, and slashers are all bordering on the dark side in my humble opinion. Should Christians retreat from celebrating this holiday or stand at the door giving treats? Oh it seems innocent enough giving out candy and looking at cute costumes but what about the darkness of it and should we be a part of this? Can we be in the world but not of the world? There was a saying once “so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.”

As a believer we are to be careful what goes into our mind so a steady diet of macabre evil movies during this time of year is probably not the best idea.  Many churches hold harvest celebrations where the environment can be more controlled. Do not stand in judgment or act holier than thou over a friend or family member that sees this holiday as pure fun. There is not a real scripture forbidding it but each individual has to listen to the Holy Spirit on what is best to do. Pray, decide then act. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for the beauty of fall and the beautiful autumn leaves and cooler weather. Help each person decide what is right or wrong for this secular holiday. I pray against any evil forces who use this day for ill intent. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Open Heart Surgery

I will  give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

How is your heart? I don’t mean do you have physical heart problems but how is it functioning as a believer? Is it tender, merciful, forgiving, loving, accepting or is it choked up with hatred, discord, judgmental attitudes, bickering, gossip and the like? 

Maybe it is time for a spiritual heart transplant of sorts. If your life is full of things that cause you to not show love and kindness to others perhaps today is the day to ask God to give you a new heart to love others. 

Do a word study and see how many times the word ‘heart’ is in the Bible. You will see the heart controls man. If yours is full of bad stuff maybe now is the time for that transplant. 

PRAYER: Jesus I need you every hour. I want to always have the kind of heart to show love and mercy and not judge or condemn others. I need the kind of heart to be merciful even when people don’t deserve it. Help me live with a renewed heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.