Do You Take Your Walk With Christ Seriously?? Seriously??

Do  not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
I am in the process of reading an awesome book by a member of my church, Taylor Edge, entitled ‘More Than A Believer. A Practical Guide To A Transformed Life’ and I highly recommend it! (Purchase on Amazon). So many good points in his writing. I got this idea today from the book. So do you take your walk with the Lord seriously? Some say they do but when questions are presented then it is evident many are going through the motions and living a religious church member only life with little desire beyond Sunday for being transformed. Sort of like a membership in a country club.

Only the Holy Spirit can bring about a desire for ‘more’ and when it happens you will know it. In the meantime go easy on family members or a spouse who many be aloof to drawing closer even though they may go to a dynamic church like mine and hear the messages about reading Bible daily and making Christ first. You say “yes I am” but then examine your heart and see if you really are. If you want to have more ask God. Stand back and watch the transformation expect some ‘friends’ who knew you before your transformation to think you are  ‘religious’ a word I despise. I love the Lord and I hope you do too.

PRAYER: I want to be more like you daily. I want my family to desire to grow daily and stand firm when attacks of the enemy occur. Help me not make excuses for why I don’t have time for a quiet time when everything else seems to get done. Help me make it a priority. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I Have Had Enough!!

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Have you ever experienced the feeling of life is just not worth it and wish you could ‘check out’ so to speak? You feel beat up, discouraged, hopeless, worn down, afraid, torn, battle weary, unloved? First let me say those things are not from the Lord but are faulty thinking from the enemy and his band of demonic spirits. 

Recently during our churches’ 21 Days of Prayer I read a few prayer cards where some folks were just sad and felt they could not function and wish things were different. These my friend are momentary trials that when you come out on other end, and you will, you have been strengthened by the storm. 

If you are feeling down or a case of the blues and starting to pity yourself first stop right there and say “I rebuke this wrong thinking in Jesus’ name” then grab your Bible and read the book of John in the New Testament the first few chapters. Next get some good praise music going to lift your spirits. At the end of this devotion I have included a link to listen to a mighty song. Let it sink deep down in your soul and lift those arms and thank the Lord for making you and using you as it is the devil who tries to make you feel worthless and you are NOT! 

PRAYER: Oh Lord I ache for those whose hearts are so broken that they think life is not worth living and even contemplated suicide. I bind Satan and his deceit and lies from affecting those I know with any wrong thoughts like those. I ask you to strengthen those whose life is spiraling out of control and bring Christians across their path to give comfort. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link to worship God in song.               

https://youtu.be/n4XWfwLHeLM

Some important links for the distraught:

CALL 1-800-RUNAWAY

CLICK 1800RUNAWAY.org

TEXT 66008

Bethany Christian Services Crisis Pregnancy Hotline 

8002384269

Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

800-273-TALK

National Crisis Hotline simply dial 988

Become Sheeplike

 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:19
Have you ever witnessed a field full of sheep? They follow the leader, the master,  even to the point of if they were guided off a cliff. They are devoted followers of the Master.

God is the shepherd or the ‘sheep herder’ and we as ‘followers’ of Him follow Him. If we don’t follow Him we fail miserably on our own and get caught up in briar patches, weeds, and maybe even subject to a wolf or coyote attack not literally but in spiritual sense. Our wolves are the world and its’ tricks and sin instituted by the father of sin and lies that being Satan.

Satan has blinded so many to the truth. He has made them believe lies, caused pain, hurt, division, and self centered attitudes. He works sometimes through unsuspecting people who never knowingly would outright worship the devil. Be on your guard. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion seeking a sheep like you to destroy. Don’t allow it.

PRAYER: I am so glad I know the truth found in your word. I hate the devil and he has no claim over me or my family and he  will not cause me to stumble. I ask you bring joy and deliverance to many caught in the trap of hate, deception, lies and all else and set them free. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Evil Does Not Get The Final Voice

Though  they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed. Psalm 21:11

The word evil is the dark side, Satan, hell and all that entails. Evil is a strong word but it wreaks havoc and messes people up when they start to cave to it.

It does not take a genius to recognize wrong from right, good and evil, truth and lies but the devil, comes to deceive and confuse and get people following the wrong things and believing lies. In order to keep yourself pure and your heart in tune with the truth it is necessary to turn off distracting voices in such forms  as constant bombardment of news and secular TV and radio. Immerse yourself in the word of God. Find a dynamic church home.

Edmund Burke uttered the famous quote “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph  is for good men to do nothing” and how true that is. Are you willing to take a stand for the truth? Are you able to love the unlovely and pray for those who are caught up in wrong evil thinking? Don’t argue, simply love and pray for yourself as well not to be deceived. Also lift up men and women who are caught up in lies and  deceit to be set free.

PRAYER: I love you Lord. I hate the schemes of the evil one who is working now to try to destroy America. I pray for men and women who love you to be witnesses far and wide. I pray for those whose hearts are bent on evil to be set free. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 23 For The Living

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5

Even people who don’t know the Bible very well know Psalm 23 or so it seems. It is usually what funeral homes traditionally put on the little program handed out at memorial services and funerals. I am not sure how it became the ‘go to’ verse for the deceased because it has so much more to say to those still alive.

Get your Bible and read the entire short chapter. The verse I highlighted for today says to me that God watches over us and cares for us in the presence of those who would attack us, ridicule us, put us down, unfriend us, belittle us, make fun of our faith, and further states that we are anointed so blessed in other words. And the best part, our cup overflows. How good is that?

As you read it look at all the things God does for those of us still alive. Maybe it is used  for funerals because it seems comforting but the deceased does not need comfort as they are not here in physical form anymore. Don’t harden your heart friend. If you have not become familiar with the Bible get yourself a modern version of it and start reading and getting excited to walk with the Lord. Then some day when you breathe your last breath there can be a celebration of life and those who come to see your body laying in a casket can know you are with Jesus for eternity.

PRAYER: Part of life is death. It is not to be feared. I pray for those people who are far from you or who are wandering. I pray for atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, agnostics, and all those who have been deceived by the enemy into having no desire for you. Lift the blinders from their eyes and help them be set free to live a life for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be Thwarted Devil

 For  the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:27

The definition of thwart used as an action verb is prevent (someone) from accomplishing something. Indeed followers of Jesus Christ want to thwart the enemy and stop him in his tracks. People really not that serious about a relationship with Jesus 24-7 may simply laugh off spiritual attacks but I would caution you and urge you not to.

The enemy tries to thwart followers of Christ and get them discouraged and overwhelmed so they feel like God is absent and does not care. It is necessary to take captive any wrong thoughts that lead to thinking such a thing!

So when life is swirling out of control around you and the daily news is getting you down you have the power living in you to combat that if you accepted Christ and follow Him. Discipline yourself to stop taking in things that cause negativity and fear, like turn off the news. In America for some reason I think people think it is something required to do daily but many of these same people probably aren’t even looking at the Bible and soaking in its’ truths. Examine your life and make changes in order to take control over the devil.

PRAYER: Lord I love you. I don’t want to be worldly and caught up in the present day culture which in many areas is far from God. Give me strength daily to REALLY put you first, keep news off and tithe my daily time so you get at least 10% of it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

20/20 Vision In 2020

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

What a perfect time to speak of having clear vision in the year of 2020. To see things more clearly, follow Christ more seriously. A time for looking ahead and not in your rear view mirror.

There was a song several years ago the lyrics of which said “turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of hIs glory and grace” and oh my if that is not speaking a ton of truth.

This world will certainly not give you peace. Look at the daily news mostly bad reports of crime, death, political fighting, terror, ugliness and hate. It is essential for believers to stay laser focused on God. This world is NOT your home if you are a Christ follower. Why be infatuated with People magazine, fashion trends, fitting in, and the most popular TV show. This world is passing away. Run full force and be a champion for Christ and let your light and the peace you have as a result be evident.

PRAYER:Use me Lord each and every day as I go about my normal day and whoever I encounter may I be able to spread hope and joy. I realize many suffer on a daily basis and may not feel joyful. I pray for changed hearts and peace to come to those I know through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.