God’s Alarm Clock...Don’t Hit Snooze

Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

 

You probably like the snooze button on the alarm clock where you can lie in bed a little longer and grab a little more sleep. 

If God had an alarm clock I would not recommend hitting the snooze button. If he is calling you or speaking to you now is not the time to run away and hide. Many of those ‘called’ by God did not want to serve or did not feel qualified. At times God used the most unlikely people to do His kingdom work.

For decades it has been speculated that the ‘last days’ are upon us yet scripture clearly says “no man knows the day or the hour”(Mark 13:32) The thing is you don’t want to be coasting along and giving no thought to your spiritual life. All humans are said to be born with a God shaped vacuum in their heart. Only God can meet your deepest needs. You are either moving towards God or away from Him. Are you going to jump up and get going when God calls you?

 

PRAYER: Jesus I do need you and I confess many days I feel like I am okay on my own and life is pretty good. Help me Lord to stay focused on kingdom work and running the race to win. Help me guide others as well.In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stay Still And Be Alert

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'"2 Chronicles 20:17

What a year it has been! What is happening? Will normal ever return? 

In the midst of all the changes this pandemic has created there are glimmers of hope. Sure this disease has interfered with our lives and even caused the death of some, but what are you and I supposed to take away from all this when it is over? Many theories are swirling about  but believers need to stand on the word of God not engaging in social media debates. 

First stay focused on God. Next don’t forget that in order to focus on God it is necessary to be still long enough to have a quiet time and read scripture. Thirdly play some praise and worship music and just soak in the lyrics and lift your hands and burdens to the Lord, he will sustain you and bring you peace. Go now and try to bring a some joy to another persons life. 

PRAYER: Lord during this time and every day I need you in my life. Forgive me for many days when other things seem to shove you out. I pray for those I know who consider being a Christian only a title without any time with you Lord. I choose to make you really first before Oprah, Dr Phil, Wall Street Journal, TV news, or any other distractions that do nothing for my spirit. Help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for song:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=496B7A86EC2A46D737D2496B7A86EC2A46D737D2&shtp=Sms&shid=4e5fb5b9-6ff4-4672-9fc0-c1d27fe97504&shtk=SXQgaXMgd2VsbCB3aXRoIE15IFNvdWwgd2l0aCBseXJpY3M%3D&shdk=d29yc2hpcCwgaHltbiwgJ2l0aXMgd2VsbCB3aXRoIG15IHNvdWwnLCByZWJlY2NhIHN0IGphbWVz&shhk=LCfm9Gws3ErH0ravsmkBad2GhaAGA3aFADDOY1sw7No%3D&form=VDSHOT&shth=OSH.SpMhPepOhfTNAhnjBrPNCw

Move To The Junk Folder

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18

 

Is there anything in your life you should be ‘moving to the junk folder’ and forgetting about? Past mistakes, bad relationships, and just stuff in general that is weighing on your heart and if it had a smell would wreak like soured milk or rotten eggs. 

The time is now to truly release baggage  of the past that may be affecting present day relationships. Let go of wanting to get somebody back or prove your point. A follower of Christ is to walk in victory and truly try to take the high road. Try to be a light for Jesus not a tool in the hand of Satan. 

Once you have purged the things in your life that need to be deposited in the junk folder hit that delete button and move forward. Don’t hang around waiting for another battle. Let God fight your battles. 

PRAYER:At times I get rid of things I know are taking me away from you but alas there will be moments this stench of the past comes back. Help me have strength to keep my mind focused on ‘things above’ and use me to be a witness not a stumbling block. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Survive And Thrive In Shutdown



Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.Psalm 27:6

Hey there how you doing my friend?Hopefully you are being able to move forward even during this government shutdown most Americans find themselves in the midst of.

My suggestion is to find new creative things to do. Discover hidden talents. Be thinking about the day there will be no more mandatory masking and you can smile and get a smile in return. Do not under any circumstances let the enemy get you fixated on what you are missing or why is this happening.Choose to think positive thoughts and yes to do that you have to tune into God and the Bible and away from constant news flashes. 

Go with the flow and keep your chin lifted high. Most of us are not enjoying this time and I refuse to call it a new normal whether it is or not. I see it as a ‘time out’ for spiritual renewal. Take an inventory of your life. What can you do to make another persons life better? Don’t sit and mope but get up and get going. 

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for the gift of life, liberty and my family. I pray for anyone out there who does not have a peaceful family life and I pray for those people caught up in gloominess your lift them higher and help them find you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The ‘Eyes’ Have It



I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Ephesians 1:18

In our current environment the phrase “the eyes are the windows to the soul” could really be applicable. Smiles are what reflects a persons’ soul too.

You may have to hide your smile but you can still be smiling whether people see it or not. Open the eyes of your heart to see the needs around you. 

Do you feel the pain or hurt of another? Is there a tangible way you can bring a smile of hope to someone hurting deep inside? Go the distance and reach out in this foreign environment you find yourself in right now. Love one another. 

PRAYER: Jesus you alone are my hearts desire. I lift up my eyes to you for you are my strength my deliverer a light in the darkness. I pray for this time of having to hide our faces to soon be over. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Clamoring For A Photo

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.Isaiah 53:3

Recently when watching the 2020 CMA Music Fest on TV it just made me kind of laugh how humans react to normal people who happen to be rich and famous.Yours truly is guilty.  Keith Urban strolled through the crowded audience at the Nissan Stadium field in Nashville with bodyguards as cell phones went up and thousands were taking that picture of this famous guy.

Now if you or I step out on the street paparazzi aren’t stalking us because we are not well known. Basically all of us put our pants on the same way some just wear more expensive pants. Jesus wouldn’t have had drawn crowds because there are accounts he wasn’t one people cared about. Now Jesus’ followers would certainly be excited to see him like Zaccheus who climbed up in a tree to get a better look at him.

You and I are to have no other ‘gods’ before him it says in Exodus 20:3 and Deuteronomy 5:7. It is easy to get mesmerized by worldly things but as a follower of the most high God only He deserves the highest praise. Who or what is an idol in your life today? 

PRAYER: I am so grateful for all the wonderful things there are in life to enjoy and at times it may be easy to swoon over celebrities or put them on a pedestal. Help me Lord redirect my delight in you and help me to not put anything higher than you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Your Connection Has Temporarily Been Lost



“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:35

Is this not the most irritating message when you have important work to do to see today’s title flash across the screen? 

Did you know that you can never be separated from the love of God? He created you and he wants you to live for Him and love Him but sadly many go there own way and heaping up false teachers and idols and sort of kick Jesus under the bus. 

Where are you at today my friend? Do you get more excited about earthly endeavors than you do spending time with Jesus? Start now and make Jesus just as important as brushing your teeth and putting on deodorant. When you start the day meditating on God’s word you are putting on your spiritual armor. (See Ephesians 6). Reestablish your connection right now!

PRAYER: Lord I love you but there was a time I was only a ‘churched’ person or a ‘denominational’ believer and was not truly in love with you Lord. Use me to help draw others out of their stupor and into a relationship with the living God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.