No God Bubble...Problems Happen

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 1:2

Somehow there are those out there who believe if you love Jesus nothing bad  is going to happen to you. Also others I have heard think it is stupid to pray because they know of those who prayed and still really bad junk happened. All I know is if you follow God he is shaping you into the vessel he wants you to be. 

God does help you endure and get through things but some things are for your own good even though it may not seem so at the time. If you keep in mind that our time on earth is so very short then you realize you are on a journey. 

Your prayers are important and loving God is too. You may not understand everything but what is the alternative? A life separated from God for eternity. My friend God loves you and he loves it when you talk to him in prayer each day. Sometimes tough times do bring you closer if you can just hang on to hope. 

PRAYER: Lord I pray for those people who have had tragedy in their life and don’t understand it to not run away from you. Help those who are sad and forlorn to run harder to the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: I got the idea for title from a Church by the Glades sermon. 

No Man Or Woman Can Control The Tongue

But  no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8

If only there was a way to control the mouth. So much conflict, discord, misunderstanding and hurt could be avoided. The tongue is full of poison as it says in the scripture above. 

Tips on speaking would be to think before you speak. Don’t try to get the last word it does not really matter. Use your mouth to be kind, loving and even say things like “I am sorry” and “you were right”. Also try praising people instead of condemning them. When you want to say an ugly comment pray instead. 

As your momma probably once said “if you can’t find something good to say say nothing at all” is probably a good thing to remember on a regular basis whether with friends, strangers, or at work. Remember to let your words bring joy not pain and anger to others. 

PRAYER: Thank you for the gift of being able to talk. What a blessing it is and there are some who can’t. Forgive me when I have said something I wish I had not. Give me wisdom in my communication with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do Overs Available

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18

Wow do you ever have one of those days you wish you had a time machine and could go back into yesterday and make all things right such as taking back stupid hurtful words or actions?

God is a God of second chances, third chances and so forth. It is the devil who seeks to hurt, destroy, guilt you and make you guilt others. The past is just that, the past. Over, done with, gone! So rehashing it can only create problems and tensions. Let it go and move on.

 Move forward to a new day with new chances to do things right. Be able to say “this is your day Lord, use me and help my words bring joy to others” then march on trusting God to keep you squarely on the path of righteousness.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for another glorious day in your Creation. Guide my steps today and help keep a watch over my lips that all I say builds up and not tears down. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Getting Along With Difficult People

We love because he first loved us. Whoever  claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And  he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.1 John 4:19-21

Each and every day you will encounter all sorts of personalities. Depending on what is going on in a person’s life may be how they react to things. You as a follower of God need to be ready with a healing or kind word to help diffuse situations which could get heated and ugly.

Believers are called to be salt and light in other words to season the world around you and to light the path of an otherwise dark world. You don’t do this by acting superior, hateful, or judgmental but by being gracious to others and listening to them.

If you have slipped up and lost your cool or acted less than loving God can and does forgive and set your feet to dancing again so to speak. It is the enemy who wants to crush your spirit and get you acting less than Christlike. Stand firm, stay in the word, and run to Him.

PRAYER: Lord help me be kind and understanding to those who may rebuke me, hurt me, get hateful for no good reason. Help me remember in all circumstances I represent you and the Kingdom of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Refreshing Others

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.Proverbs 11:25

Refreshing is not about getting and thinking of only yourself but it is seeing what you can do to help make someone else feel better and have joy and feel ‘refreshed’. 

You don’t necessarily need to go to a spa for a refreshing experience but simply sit down and read the book of Psalms and Proverbs and get good thoughts into your head. Turn on praise music or symphony music. Make a phone call to a friend or family member you have not spoken to in a while. Give an unexpected gift. Send a card. 

When you are having a lousy day or a pity party why not stop and think of how you can send refreshment to someone else and cheer them up?

PRAYER: Lord I want to serve you and serve those around me. Use me to bring joy to those you put in my path. Stir my heart to think of creative ways to refresh another person. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Wilderness Can Kill You Or Make You Stronger

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13

I like to watch outdoor shows about survival and adventure. One thing you quickly learn is you have to have survival skills and common sense to survive the wilderness and its’ elements. Likewise in your life you need spiritual skills to survive the wilderness ‘experiences’ that the evil one, Satan, hopes you will succumb to.

If you are a believer you have the Holy Spirit living inside you. That is that still small voice of right versus wrong which is being muddled by the present darkness of the world of today. Don’t live by feelings, by the worlds view of right and wrong.

The Bible is truth and following it will keep you from the enemies traps which are often well laid like a land mine of sorts to try to destroy your life. Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church says “you can’t  have victory without a battle” and how very true that is. But recognize the battles as stumbling blocks from the devil and keep running the race straight into the arms of Jesus. Whatever lies the enemy has you believing that are being made to seem normal by culture reject them, pray, and run far and fast out of that wilderness.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help those I know and love who are succumbing to the lies of the enemy have their strongholds broken. Father reveal truth that Satan tries to mask. Help me let the Holy Spirit do the convicting as I pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Green Eyed Monster

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

Jealousy stinks and should have no place in a believers life yet it is so easy to fall into. It is because the enemy likes division and he gets people comparing and feeling left out. 

It could be various scenarios such as envy of someone’s life and what they own. It could be between in-laws comparing time they get to spend with grown children and grandchildren. It could be trying to read someone’s mind and overreacting to something that is not even real. Possibly a family member seems to have it better than you and you covet their life. Another person has a better job and you feel your life is measly in comparison. Jealousy and comparison are carnal reactions from the bowels of Hell. 

Replace the urge to feel jealous with gratitude, love, joy, peace, mercy, grace, and your life will be much better. Understand Satan comes to tear people’s lives apart and when you start to feel jealous of another stop right then and ask God to show you love instead and say “Satan get away from my mind and heart in Jesus name”. Now go be happy for the person you seemingly were envious of. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I am indeed grateful for what I have and where I am in life. I ask forgiveness for the times I have overreacted and acted jealous and even verbalized it to another. Help me Lord to always be grateful and to show love to those I would tend to be jealous of. In Jesus’ name. Amen.