I Just Like Smiling...Do You?

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Sometimes it can be easy to slump into a pity party. Your thinking is messed up or as Bible teacher Joyce Meyer calls it, ‘stinking thinking’ and you can easily get into a rut. I have the perfect solution. Start smiling! Yes you heard me. 

There is always someone worse off than you are and not that makes your situation any less hurtful but smiling can certainly make you feel better and those who you happen to give a smile too. I sat recently at Kroger’s in my local community at the Starbucks watching employees getting off their shift. I just kept smiling at them as they left. Maybe some thought I had a mental illness but I would say yes, I am mentally happy and have the joy of the Lord. The man or woman who cleans the bathrooms probably doesn’t feel much joy so lift them up with a smile. Do what you can to make people’s jobs easier. 

Smiling is a gift from God and He never intends us to stay bowed down and depressed. Junk happens to make people sad and it is a normal emotion but for those of us not going through horrendous losses and hurt right now why not crack a smile on that beautiful or handsome face God created and and make someone’s day a little more happy. 

PRAYER: I am thankful for emotions. I have had rough days and others have lifted me up so help me to remember the simple gesture of a smile might change someone’s day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Kindergarten Rules For Adults

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God likealittle childwill never enter it." Luke 18:17

Years ago there was a book called All I Really_Need to_Know I_Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum which has so much truth within its’ pages. Hopefully kindergarteners of today are still learning basic life skills about being courteous, sharing, not cutting in line and the rest. Many of the so called things they learn have a Biblical base to them. Morals and kindness can not be separate from a Biblical worldview. 

Many people today could probably stand to return to the basics of kindergarten hopefully with a dose of The Ten Commandments not banned and thrown in to make it extra helpful.  There are so many mean vindictive souls out there who really seem lost. Maybe they were not loved as a child or grew up not knowing how to be kind because of the environment they grew up in. 

Be nice to those people who you feel need kindergarten lessons again. Pray for them. Show kindness to people who are mean. Again pray for them and pray some more. Don’t judge and reach out to help if the opportunity presents itself. Kindness can change the world. 

PRAYER: Father my heart aches for those adults in society who were not loved during developmental years or who had a lopsided upbringing. Satan wants to divide and he loves broken homes and the products of them because he is a thief and wants to steal joy and wreck lives. Jesus you are more powerful and I pray for healed lives and restoration for those who need a healing touch of kindergarten love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Being Still In A Frantic World

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

Recently I awakened to right jaw pain and mild chest pain, searching frantically for my Bayer baby aspirin I keep with me at all times for episodes such as this. I got a tad freaked out then I sat and rested and was fine.

As much as a person with chest and jaw pain fears a heart attack and searches for their ‘calm pill’ so much more you and I need to search for God and dive deeper into a relationship with him. The world and its distractions can wait. What if you gave as much time being with the Lord as you do mundane things that are not important for eternity.

Sit and be still. Take a breath. Breathe in, breathe out. Clear your mind. Stay off social media. Relax. Grab your Bible. Read Psalms. Now don’t you feel better?
Now go out and make a difference in the world around you. 

PRAYER: Thank you for the many ways I can achieve peace in a chaotic world. Sitting by a stream, going to the countryside, taking a walk, watching birds, your creation abounds with peaceful scenarios which you created. Give me the ability to be still when the world wants me to go crazy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Moving Beyond Social Media...Have You Been Hurt?

Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

In 2019 there is a new kind of hurt and pain and it is caused by social media. Even family and seemingly once close friends have fallen victim to this curse. Have you? I heard someone say that a new kind of therapy will no doubt be introduced and that is loss due to social media. It seems silly but rejection is painful. 

I feel Satan is a great divider of families and friends through mostly politics and religion these days. Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy it tells us in John 10:10. Recognizing this dark force permeating our lives is necessary so you know how to conquer it and come out victorious. Words are misunderstood through texting and such and often times allowing Satan to get control leads to loss of once valuable relationships.

Today stand firm against the tricks of the enemy. Don’t be mad at people who have hurt you through their insensitivity but be angry at the prince of darkness the devil whose main job it is to destroy relationships. Start asking God to help you be released from the need to look at Facebook and such every day. Forgive those who hurt you even though they may not realize it. Start running towards a higher call and that is your status with The Almighty. You are five stars in His eyes and nothing else matters.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I pray for those people hurt by others through social media. I pray for those people who need to be able to let it go and let God. I pray for families with young children to right now be able to nip this in the bud by managing screen time. Give me the ability Lord to let things go and move on. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Grumpy Is As Grumpy Does

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.John 14:27

Recently on an early morning flight and in process of conversing with the female passenger in seat beside me an irritated woman in the row behind us asked us to not talk so loud then went on to say out loud “I guess I need my ear plugs” which floored both myself and girl I was next to.

There are different personality types and everyone is not going to be your best friend. Some folks are not people persons so chattering at any time irritates them. Not hearing that well, but think the girl next to me said “we need to pray” as apparently this was a first for her as well. Instantly a devotion on getting along with others came to mind.

By no means should we intentionally irritate someone and in this case even though no rule was being broken during this pre flight scenario at o dark thirty, I felt it my Christian duty to settle down and let lady have her way. Particularly since I was a standby and in a round about way represented the airline. It is our job to diffuse anger and not let it boil over. Even in your personal life you may have situations where you feel like putting on the boxing gloves and going at it but my friend it is essential you be still. So today if you encounter an angry person be the bigger person and be still.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I know at times I do things to irritate others so help me learn from mistakes and move on. Help me be kind to others who may be bothered by me and simply pray for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Is Hanging In Your Spiritual Closet?

 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.Colossians 3:12

Each of you probably has a room for your clothes. A room known as a closet. There you stuff many things you may have not worn in years. 

You also should have a spiritual closet where the gifts of the spirit are that you should don each and every day if you are walking with the Lord. Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, self control, compassion, forgiveness, grace should be in your ‘Jesus wardrobe’ and daily you need to remember to intentionally put them on. 

Don’t go out into your day spiritually naked unprepared for the battles that are sure to come. Put on that armor and those spiritual clothes in order to deal with the enemy head on. 

PRAYER: Lord I need you every moment of my day. Often times I confess I get caught up in the pleasures of this present world and forget why I am here and that is to make a difference for the Kingdom of God letting go of any hindrance and running my race with the spiritual dressing you have given me if I only call on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s Brushstrokes

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Did you know you are on God’s easel and he is designing you brush stroke by brush stroke into the person of God you are to be? A stroke here, a dab there, and voila.

You are made in the image of God. All mankind is made in His image although many choose to go their own way and not acknowledge the goodness and glory of the Lord most high.

You are very special to God. He designs and gifts each of his creations with a special purpose and gifting and each person is unique. If you don’t feel unique then stop listening to the voice of the enemy. God’s painting the very special life He wants you to lead and then positively effect those around you each and every day. Stay on the easel and don’t go your own way.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus thank you for making me just like you did. I know you are still working on me as I am a work in progress. Help me learn to flourish in the gifting you have blessed me with and shine your light on others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.