Dramathons

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Psalm 107:29-30

Ever had one of those miscommunications that only seems to get worse especially on text message? As I affectionately call it a ‘dramathon’. When you keep texting back and forth much is lost in translation.

Too much drama is often the way things get talked to death or played up to be more than they actually are. Sometimes it triggers emotions that should never have surfaced and probably wouldn’t have if mouths had been kept closed and last words did not have to be spoken.

If you can identify with this in any way welcome to the club of many. Maybe females more than the guys and sadly our new way of communicating through social media only perpetuates this problem. If you have issues in this area first and foremost pray.Next let things go and let them rest. Don’t keep stirring the pot! Finally rest in the Lord and wait 24 hours before you respond to something you have doubts about. There you have it!

PRAYER: Father I am sorry for the times I have overreacted and spoken words I wish I could retrieve. I pray for healing in the lives of anyone who is going through this drama trauma. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Messed Up...Oh Yeah..Got The Tee Shirt

Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One. Philippians 4:6-7

I am sure you have messed up in something or regretted saying something or texting something. I know the feeling all too well. Many “hey I messed up” tee shirts are in my closet how about yours? 

The good thing is you get a second chance, a third chance, as many chances as you need cause God loves you. People can get angry and irritated with you and may treat you poorly or snub you but God will never do that. 

Pray for those people who may not like you or who are mad at you. Even ask God to bless them, yes you heard me right. The more you do this the more healing in your heart you will receive. 

PRAYER:Father I hate it when I mess up and have conflict with someone or am misunderstood and can’t seem to gain ground being welcomed back into the fold so to speak. I know you are with me when I have goofed up and you love me. I I pray for those in my life who may not have understanding and kind hearts  to be blessed. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are You Thirsty?

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." John 4:10

My title today asks a simple straight forward question. Are you thirsty? I mean thirsty not for a drink of fresh clean water but for living water, the word of God. Sadly many are not and  maybe some people you love dearly are not. 

No one can force a person to be sold out to Jesus. Many are quite content saying “I am a Christian” yet do nothing more than make the statement. I mean Jesus doesn’t require you do a bunch of manmade things but He would like to talk to you sometime or want you to grow closer and hang out with like minded people in a place of worship. 

If you love Jesus you thirst for Him, truly thirst for Him. That means wanting to be with people who love the things of the Lord. You may think you can be a secret service Christ follower but if you don’t get into fellowship and grow in Christ the things of the world will soon captivate you and take you away from things that matter for eternity. Don’t wait till your death bed to cry out for Jesus. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus use me to help draw people to you and not away from you. I pray for those who think saying they are a Christian is enough and don’t hunger for you regularly. Make them hungry and thirsty Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Turn TV Off, Turn To God!

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” Hebrews 2:1

I have many friends who either don’t have a TV or don’t take cable. More power to them for avoiding this object that can be a major time waster and monopolize family time. I guess you could add the small screens in your life as well as they are time wasters as well. True both can be used to watch Christian things but my point being is how much time do you give to The Lord each day?

Now not meaning to guilt anyone. Was told recently I do guilt over things at times and never intend to intentionally. Just wanting you to take inventory of things you do in your life and their value for eternity. Not wanting to make your day into the type of day you feel obligated to give Jesus time but to hope your heart is changed and you truly want to. 

Perhaps you don’t know where to begin and the Bible seems overwhelming. My recommendation is to read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of of the week it is since there are 31 days. Whatever you do just know God is not there standing over you saying “that is not enough” but just loves to have your attention. Do yourself a favor and make tomorrow the day you put King Jesus first.

PRAYER:This is the day you have made and often I forget to even say thank you for all my blessings. May the Holy Spirt convict my heart daily and regularly about giving you first place. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessed To Be Free

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

As I one on a flight one day the flight attendant seeing there was an empty seat in first class moved a soldier up to the front. Those serving our country are humble and do it expecting nothing in return.

As I watched this occur I was thinking of all the freedoms we Americans enjoy because of the selfless sacrifice of men and women past, present, and future just like this young officer. America is unique and what we have is special that is why so many emigrated here years ago and still want to.

Freedom is always in jeopardy depending who you and I elect to govern this democracy. Many politicians who get elected may cut funds for these brave men and women and defund programs critical to national security. Elections have consequences and in America’s case it is keeping us free from tyranny, socialism, and communism and securing freedom of religion. When you get a chance thank a vet and those serving now. Freedom truly is not free!

PRAYER: America America God has shed His grace on thee. I am thankful to have been born here. Many are not. I pray for those serving for safety and for those leading to do the right thing. Root out those in public office who somehow got elected but don’t put America first.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Mind Tends To Wander

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3

If and when you and I could tame both our minds and our tongues we would almost be perfect people. But alas that is a pretty tall order but it can be worked on and achieved with discipline and lots of it. 

Stinking thinking is a term I heard years ago from Joyce Meyer and when your mind tends to ‘go south’, sorry Southern friends, then you have to snap out of it and realize the enemy loves to try to capture your thoughts on the wrong things. For instance If you constantly feed your mind on news media who obviously hate our sitting President for no good reason, then your mind will be come tainted with untruths. The enemy has worked overtime on this one and some of you no doubt have family members you are trying to pull from the pit of lies and hate by constantly praying. 

Never give up on anyone. It is necessary for each of us to be careful what we take into our minds. Let’s say you go to the movie theater and the only choices are slasher films, horror movies, and other R rated delicacies perhaps you should go home instead and read a book. Ask God to lead you to the truth. Ask Him to keep your words gracious and your thoughts loving and pure. Now go have a jolly good day. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for the gift of speech, thinking, and all the rest you have made for humans to e able to communicate and get along in this world. These gifts are miracles. Help me to be a good steward of my mind and my words. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reality Check

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Life is a journey. Personalities are different. Lives are different. Here is a checklist of things to do to stay in tune with God and in reality.

Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Do your part to bring joy to those around you.
Forgive those who have hurt you or misunderstood you.
Talk to God daily.
Let go of grudges.
Don’t seek revenge.
Pray for your enemies.
Help those you can.
Stop gossiping.
Stop hating.
Read your Bible daily.
Don’t be Holy Spirit junior.
Take a walk in a park and get away from media.
Exercise.
Do an unexpected good deed.
Smile.
Be thankful.
Call your mom if she is still alive. 

This is just a short sampling of ways you can stay in the moment, be kind, live real, and find the joy of the Lord. 

PRAYER: Lord it is my consuming desire to not allow the enemy and his demons to touch me or my family. We are covered with the blood of Jesus and none of Satan’s weapons will prosper against us. Help me live to make a difference and spread love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.