Practice What You Preach

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

"Okay so I caved in, what of it?" Has this happened to you  where you know what to do and how to walk as a believer and you daily soak up the word so your heart does not run on empty for the day but yet stuff happens to put things to the test and voila you are tested. It happens. It will continue to happen. That is how God grows us. 

Are you faithful in prayer? I mean really. Do you tell someone you will pray then totally forget it and blow it off whether by accident or what? Does saying, "I will pray for you" become just a phrase that casually slips out of your mouth of do you in fact pray?Do you have and maintain hope amidst hard life situations even when it seems the outcome may not be what humanly you desire for now. What about being afflicted? 

Yes it can be tough to understand why certain things are happening and the tendency would be to blame God. Why are we in the midst of a global pandemic? Even though God does not cause it He can use it. Why? Why do bad things happen to good people? You know this life is very temporary and for those who asked Jesus into their hearts and live for Him a glorious home in Heaven awaits. Know that you are growing stronger through having to be patient so hang in there. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Forgive me when I whine and complain about my 'plight' knowing I really have it pretty good. Help me be faithful in prayer and talk to you throughout the day. Strengthen me to do your kingdom work. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

           #nationaldayofprayer2020   #Nationaldayofprayer

Running Of The Bulls

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

Now I have a bucket list but doing the running of the bulls in Spain is not on it.  This annual event which I think is just men running anyway reminded me of what it might be like when the confines of 'Shelter in Place' are lifted and you and I can finally go somewhere other than the gas station, restaurant drive thru line, or grocery store. I say Yippee! This scenario of bulls running was so appropriate as I thought of a stampede of joyful citizens ready to get out of their cages. 

Are you ready? There are still many so fearful that they can not fathom letting possible cooties float through society unchecked. But we in the United States are a free citizenry for the most part and staying in place for some has been a challenge.Granted many things have been learned during this time and I must admit it was not all that bad but I for one was ready to fly the coop. Release the kraken as they say!

But the time has come to test the freedom waters again and trust God to lead you and direct you. Fear is never the way to go it is the plan of the enemy to stifle you and keep you bound up and sick at heart. Go forth from this day forward and be a Christian witness to the world and use common sense learned during this time but go ahead and enjoy your life and share your joy with others. 

PRAYER: Lord God I am so grateful for the Covid 19 losing it's grip on society. I still pray for those researchers looking for a vaccine and a cure. But in the meantime freedom is what we are used to and I pray for those I may know who are too scared to do anything for fear of dying or ending up sick. The worse that can happen is you end up in Heaven, But Lord God I know you have a plan and you will watch over your creation when we use wisdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Distracted By Sin

"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” Hebrews 11:25
Many things can draw you into sinful behavior. The enemy often times makes sin appear attractive, modern, deceptive, and innocent. Even at times making it seem legal and accepted by society therefore okay. But anyone who is a student of the Bible knows first that ALL have sinned and fallen short of God's glory as it says in Romans 3:23. It is when a person knows he is doing wrong and continues, that problems ensue. 

Satan wants you and I to take the bait and compromise what we know to be right to trick us that what we are engaging in is not that bad.  Also never get into a self righteous attitude that so and so's sin is worse than yours. There is not some hierarchy of sin in the kingdom of God. Never get to the point you feel smug and think you have it made or you could just stumble into the pit, and the enemy lays out lots of traps for us. 

The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 serve as a guideline for living a virtuous moral Christian life. Follow them and you are pretty much in the right mindset.  A person who is being led by the Holy Spirit knows and is convicted of sin in his or her life. I don't need to list all the things here as you probably have somewhat of an idea. Each and every day ask for God to protect you from the tricks of the enemy and to convict you of any wrong thing you may be engaging in. Like the children's song "Be careful little eyes what you see" there is so much we adults can still gain from that. 

PRAYER: Father forgive me if I have ever acted in a haughty or self righteous manner like sin is far from me because the enemy is always spreading traps for believers and nonbelievers alike. I pray for my family members to recognize good from evil and run far and fast from anything that could take them away from fellowship with you. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Slipped Again...It’s Ok

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.1 Timothy 6:17

If you are blessed enough to have money invested in the stock market you probably have felt like singing the ‘blues’ these past couple months. Putting fear into the heart of mankind is a sure way to get the Wall Street in a panic. But God is way bigger than the New York Stock Exchange, who do you trust?

Instead of focusing on earthly news reports that has nothing to do with your walk with the Lord or future in Heaven why not seriously make a point to act like a child of God and know He is going to take care of you. He is your security. You don’t need to trust in man made things at all. God has your back.

Fear paralyzes people and makes them do things they otherwise would not. Guess who the author of fear is? Satan. He kills joy, steals peace, creates terror and panic. If you are feeling overwhelmed get back to the word of God which should be your only source during these strange times.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I admit to freaking out when I noticed all our savings in 401k taking a nose dive but then I realize you are the one I needed to trust in not the almighty bank or stocks. You are my provider. Thanks for peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Children Can Disappoint

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesians 1:3

As I walked a trail recently I observed an interaction between a toddler child having a mini tantrum  to her father. He was calm and dealt with this best he could in public but it made me think of our Heavenly Father. You spout off too sometimes and God doesn’t say “that’s it you are no longer my child” but loves you unconditionally. He is full of grace. 

Just think of the father child relationship. Some reading may have been wounded by fathers or had absentee dads or maybe never knew who your father even was. Fathers are so important in the development of a child’s well being and if you are a dad don’t take this role or responsibility lightly. 

Even though children may have their ‘moments’ in their development they sure are a huge blessing. Those who are blessed to be parents will attest to this I am sure. Even though times of discipline are bound to occur you as a believer are disciplined by your Heavenly Father in order to grow up to be fit for the kingdom. Your abba Father daddy loves you. 

PRAYER: I am grateful for things I learned when I was disciplined by my parents. I pray for those reading this today who may have been hurt by parents or a parent was not there when they needed them. Heal wounds and be their daddy. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I Am Essential...So Are You!

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.Matthew 19:29-31

Many new words have been added to our vocabulary during this current crisis. Social distancing, respiratory particles, shelter in place and essential people. Aren’t we all essential? In God’s eyes yes we are. 

Every person has worth and value in the kingdom of God. He has gifted each of you. Your purpose is not just to be born and suck up air and occupy space but to contribute. 

In a crisis there are all sorts of ways to be valuable but you can be essential with or without a pandemic in progress. Every body has a reason for being created. Do you know what yours is yet? 

PRAYER: I thank you that I was born. I want to use my gifts for the kingdom. Help me not feel like what I do is not essential as it is in the big scheme of things. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Fiery Furnace Is Ablaze...Ouch

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

Most everyone probably knows about the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego being thrown into a fiery furnace yet not harmed as God protected them. It is found in Daniel chapter 3. They refused to bow down to the king of Babylon so their punishment was the fire. No one expected to see not one hair on their bodies even harmed. 

Do you feel you are in a fiery furnace of sorts now with this lockdown, stay in place, Covid 19 thing? Granted you are not in a burning pit with flames surrounding you but it may seem you are being consumed with unreasonable restrictions. Maybe you wonder  what’s next and when can you have your freedom back. 

God has you and He has this situation. This is a good time to get closer to the Lord and not bemoan you’re temporary inconveniences. There is an end coming to this so your furnace will be extinguished sooner or later. Don’t get angry at God but trust Him in this confusion. 

PRAYER: This is not the same thing as the three guys in the furnace who refused to deny God so potentially faced their death but this is a big trial. Help me Lord succeed in keeping myself sane, stable, and secure in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.