Freedom From Tyranny And Fear

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

America is in a battle of good versus evil more than Republican versus Democrat. Recently I spoke with a Mexican native now living in Alabama who feared every time he flew into his home country. Cartels, kidnapping, robbery. America to him was his safe haven. Many have flocked here for freedom.

There is a spiritual battle being waged in the heavenlies. Although America is not specifically referred to in scripture it is a country where we experience so many freedoms unheard of to many. Why would politicians disguised by a political party and favored by the media want to destroy this? Power and control mainly and also lack of love for Jesus and His people.

Make no mistake about it. Break away from the news media in 2020. Why do you need their ‘facts’ and ‘opinions’? Deep down you know what is right. Stop believing the lies of the devil and getting captivated by his schemes. Pray for those who verbally abuse our president and try anything they can to destroy him. I feel God is using him for such a time as this. God did use unlikely people to do his work. So stop fighting with your relatives and friends and get on your knees in prayer for this great land.

PRAYER: Almighty God you have placed certain people in authority. I pray for a revival in the ranks of the news media. I pray for people to break away from their addiction to nightly news and talk shows and lean on you and spend time in your word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do You Have Hallmark Channel Syndrome?

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.1 Peter 1:6-7

My sister coined this phrase and I thought how it would make a great devotion particularly for those addicted to ‘perfect life’ movies. Life is not a movie. Movies are good escapes to get away from your life for awhile and I love going to them.

Everything in life is not like a Lifetime or Hallmark movie. Things are not perfect and predictable. Life presents twists and turns. To live an airbrushed version of life is not a good thing. You have to realize that stuff happens and you can indeed bounce back. There isn’t a perfect anything. Families have issues, co workers can irritate, things break, and it is good to not make assumptions or fabricate ideas in your head as reality quickly sets in.  Get up and be thankful for your family, your friends, and even the ups and downs. God loves you hang on to that and charge ahead focusing on lifting up the name of Jesus.

Don’t set yourself up for disappointment and discouragement by patterning your day to day life on perfection or comparisons with others. Live for Jesus and let life fall into place. Wake up praising Him. Take time to pray which is simply a conversation with God. Read the word. Don’t base life on a fantasy that may never happen. Stay encouraged and thankful.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus it would be fun sometimes to have life like a Hallmark movie but reality is junk happens in life. It is the bouncing back that makes the story of life genuine. I pray for any  who struggle with issues and losses that in time their hearts may be healed. Help me guard against fabricating a fairy tale life. In Jesus’ life. Amen.

Wrong Reasons

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.Matthew  6:3-4

Over the Christmas season generosity was at it’s max. Pleas over network TV to fill boxes, kettles, and hearts. I assume giving can significantly be impacted the months following if people did it for the wrong reasons.

When you give you are not to sound a trumpet and holler out “hey look at me and what I am doing” and also you are not to give under duress or obligation(2 Corinthians 9:7;Matthew 6:2) but only if your heart is really in it. It is neat to be able to just be kind and ask God for opportunities to meet true needs. 

How about it? Want to feel good inside and make someone else feel good as well? Pray for open door to be a blessing without being a show off or tooting your horn or doing it just for tax write off. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for blessing me so I can be a blessing to others. Help me not get tempted to give only to prove something but do it from my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Happy, Happy, Happy New Year!

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

During the Christmas season everyone seems happy, generous, joyful and my thinking is I wish that feeling could permeate the halls of Congress in 2020 and remain the attitude for all people everywhere to have. The peace on Earth kind of feeling.

It’s up to you what attitude you choose. Yes you can make a decision to be joyful and then do a word study in the Bible on joy and news flash, the more you do for others the happier you will feel. It is so easy to get in a pity party where the only guest is yourself.

Start 2020 choosing joy. Get up, get going. If you feel yourself slipping grab that Bible and open it up to Psalms and start reading. Don’t allow the enemy to start 2020 off making you down in the dumps.

PRAYER: I am thankful for a new year, fresh start, ability to decide to do things differently and to choose joy. Give me strength on my joy journey and help use me to bring joy to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Heart Aches And Healing In 2020

”Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave  your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

2020 is a new start. Fresh beginning. Time to right wrongs. Time to get relational healing. 

What if the person you want to be reconciled to has zero desire to want to have peace with you? It hurts. You have to give it to God, keep your chin up and mouth closed, and march on. So very hard to do. 

My prayer for you in this new year is that God and The Holy Spirit can mend broken hearts, heal painful memories, loose bonds that need to be broken, and help you look to the future and keep positive as hard as it is. God loves you. Let Him shine His love through you even when you ache inside. 

PRAYER: Sometimes things make no sense and disagreements and brokenness that should have never occurred does. Help me Lord when I encounter this to look to you for strength, healing, courage, and the ability to pray and let it go. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

And Heaven And Nature Sing



You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

The second day of the new year. Whew. You made it. Time for new beginnings. Always a nice time to collect your thoughts and just relax. 

Today why not ponder God’s creation apart from all the man made things. Trees,mountains, oceans, streams, fish,birds, the sky, cattle, lions, and just go on and on praising God for what He did and how He spoke creation into being. If you are able take a hike and enjoy the beauty of creation keeping in mind we are not to worship creation but the Creator. 

God created the Earth and everything in it. He gifted you and I with certain abilities to fulfill His plans on Earth. He wants your praise. Before you start scheduling every last minute in 2020 sit back and relax and praise God. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord Jesus for the gift of life. Life also includes death and that is never something anyone looks forward to but it happens. I love you and I thank you for letting me breathe and have life! In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: I have attached a song of worship just click link and listen. 

https://binged.it/35NsPpY

New Year....Yippee!

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

This time of year is super. All the hassles of what was to be a birthday for Jesus are behind us and now the focus is on changes and new beginnings. Weight loss programs are a biggie, no pun intended, this time of year as the clock rolls around giving fresh starts for things you want to accomplish and hopefully get serious about. New goals are often set as well.

Is there something you desire  to accomplish that you just need a little push to get going? Keep on keeping on. Don't allow negativity to have a place in your life. Make up your mind in 2020 to kick Satan out and live for God and His kingdom.If you need to start finding Sunday fellowship by all means do that. This is a great time to get up and get going!

So what is it going to be? Lay around and let the things dragging you down continue or press on and not allow the enemy to steal your zeal for the Lord?

PRAYER: This is your world Lord and I am glad to be a part of it. I love new years and the chance to make positive changes. Help me run the race to win and use the gifts you have given me for good. In Jesus' name. Amen.