Make This A Great Day!

 

Why should you be like a man astonished, like a mighty one who cannot save? Yet you O Lord are in our midst, and we are called by your name, do not leave us!Jeremiah 14:9 NKJV

How are you doing today so far? So many factors can make you answer in certain ways. You can make it good if you have the right attitude.

Keeping your mind focused on good things is the key ingredient to a good day. Starting to slump and have a pity party will end up with a very bad day. Everyone has both good and bad days, it is your attitude that matters. 

What is on your agenda for today? Work, school, babysitting, cleaning house, job hunting, shopping, dealing with Covid restrictions? Whatever it is, stop first and foremost and make yourself spend time alone with God. If I might suggest start reading in the book of Psalms chapter 1. Reading God's word helps renew your mind so do it daily. If you can wake up each day and just say "thanks Lord for another day of Life" you will be amazed at how your attitude may change for the better.

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for the gift of life. I thank you for having friends and family who love me. I pray for those today who may not be so fortunate and have the weight of the world bearing down upon them. Bring people across their path to help instill joy and make it a much happier day. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Living For Self And Staying On Vacation

And [Christ] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. – 2 Corinthians 5:15

It is nice to stay in a comfort zone to let others be in charge and do the work and you can be a helper. Maybe you have stepped down from responsibility and just want to start coasting downhill from here on out but is that what God wants you to do?

You say it is not my giftedness, I don't have time, maybe God is calling someone else. I am too old and perhaps let a younger person do this.Whatever the excuse God can and will use you at any time and at any stage of life. Excuses are a dime a dozen and maybe you feel like you don't want to be in charge, again, but my friend God may be speaking to you to use your gift to reach others and not stay in a cozy comfort zone of peace and contentment. That is not what life is about. 

Are you making a difference in the life of someone, anyone? Maybe it is your family which is where you should have a huge impact but beyond those doors of the home does your life help change someone else's life for the better? Are you using the gifts God gave you as a stay home mom, play group coordinator, grandma, grandpa, teacher, nurse, doctor, counselor, day cay worker, military member, government employee you get the picture. God opens a door for you sometimes pretty clearly and maybe it is time to pray then step on through to help bring others to the Lord. 

PRAYER: Jesus you are my best friend. I often let the enemy keep me procrastinating and making excuses but help me to bloom where I am planted Lord and to listen to wise counsel of those you have placed in my life. Thanks for opportunities to make a difference in my neighborhood, at restaurants, on vacation, at the gym, in the park, at the grocery store .Yes even in pandemic there are ways to reach out. Open my eyes to what you want me to do and use me for your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Setbacks Can Be Opportunities

 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Imagine you are freely coasting along in life whether during Covid or non Covid times and you get notified you are being laid off. You try to not overreact but your mind is going in a thousand directions. 

During the first few months of Coronavirus many people in the restaurant, fitness, hotel, assembly lines, and other service jobs were told to not come to work. Airlines were having trouble and normally bustling major airports started resembling ghost towns. Churches were not allowed to meet either so that was a huge challenge. 

Have you heard the saying “When God closes a door He opens a window” and many times that is truly the case. If you are going through a furlough, threat of a lay-off or total job loss and just are at wits end , try to hang in there knowing God has this. After it is all said and done and you look back there indeed could be that silver lining and that wonderful door that opened to even greater opportunities. Some may meet spouses during this time or gain ideas for new ways to do things thus using creativity you never knew you had. God will take care of you. Stay energized. Stay motivated. Stay away from negativity of any kind. Surround yourself with positive friends and family. Now go shine and anticipate good things!! 

PRAYER: I am so grateful for life, good health, freedom, and the ability to be able to cheer someone up having a bad day or week or month. Open my eyes to needs around me I can help fill and give me encouraging words for those struggling. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Blow It Off

 

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the LORD forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.Colossians 3:12-14

All of us occasionally get our feelings hurt. You are wrongly accused of something you had no part in. A person talks about you behind your back. You get blocked and unfriended on social media? Someone jumps to conclusions and blames you for something. 

As a dear friend of mine used to tell me,”blow it off” and for sure don’t fight back and try to prove your innocence or defend your character. The enemy works overtime to stoke fires of anger, discontent, gossip and loves feuds. Your emotions may get the best of you so hold your tongue and be still when people accuse you of things. 

Ask God to take away any upset feeling you may have toward any individual who wrongly blamed you for something. Forgive and let it go. Running your race to win means you have to give up wanting to nurse hurt feelings or argue and be strong in the Lord.Blow it off, pray, and let it go.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for the gift of emotions. Help me learn how to react when I am hurt by someone a stranger or someone close to me. Help me also keep a guard on my mouth so I don’t say something I would regret. In Jesus’ name.Amen. 

Kindness Pays Off

 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.Ephesians 4:32

Oh if everyone could just take a chill pill and be nice to each  another. But in this world we have evil, tribulation, different personalities and thus things aren’t always ‘peachy’. 

There is a scripture that says to be kind to your enemies(see Matthew 5) and to overcome evil with good(Romans 12:21) and indeed all of us that name the name of Jesus should be trying to do that and to diffuse hate with love. This means ignoring the urge to share your point of view in an online political debate. There are no winners. The bigger person stays still and quiet and let’s God that take care of stuff. 

Why not delight yourself in the goodness and glory of the Lord and ask yourself if your actions, posts, and words draw people closer to Jesus or keep them away. 

PRAYER: It is so tempting to be ugly, condescending, judgmental, and hateful so I pray any brother or sister in Christ reading this might look to the Lord for strength to be still and not agitate or try to prove things to others. Help me Lord to try to bring people closer to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Rioters And Looters Need Jesus

 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Oh how sad I  find it these past months in an America stoked by a false narrative of an unjust America. This junk is from Satan’s playbook and these young people trashing, looting, and burning cities need to find the peace that only Jesus can give. Their anger has gone to the boiling point as those who like this sort of chaos stand in the wings smiling.

America is a land of opportunity for all. As Edmund Burke had said, much more than 100 years ago: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil was that good men should do nothing.” The good men are those law abiding citizens and policemen who want to help. 

Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. The enemies would be those who are intentionally creating scenarios to cause this chaos. May God touch their hearts and souls for healing and positive change. May the Spirit of the Almighty God penetrate the toughest situations and bring a peaceful change. May the hearts of both men and women be able to hear and follow the voice of truth. 

PRAYER: Father I pray for the violence permeating several cities to be replaced with revival in the hearts of men. I pray workers are raised up to reach these anarchists wanting to simply destroy. I ask that a major move of the Holy Spirit come and bring restoration, deliverance, and healing. Keep my heart sensitive and open to the truth found only in your word. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Wrapped In Love

 

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.Psalm 17:8-9 As I lay in bed one morning wrapped in one of the many quilts my maternal grandma had made for me over the years prior to her death in 1999 I wondered if when she was making them if she prayed over her grandchildren or others whom she may give them to. It as if the Lord is giving me a big hug thinking about that.  You never know who came before you that lifted up prayers on your behalf. I know I have prayed many prayers for my children even when in the womb. They are now adults in their 30’s. Perhaps you said you did do this but they went astray and chose a way of life far from God. All I know is God hears your prayers and you are never to quit. Do you want to be wrapped in the secure loving arms of your Heavenly Father?  He loves you my friend no matter who you are, what you have done, what political affiliation you are, whether gay or straight, rich or poor, or even surprisingly what church you attend. He even loves those who are atheists and also those who hate him.  He wants everyone to come to know Him as their savior. He wants you to love Him as He loves you unconditionally. He wants you to love Him back. He wants you to be in Heaven with Him someday.Romans 10:9, 13  says If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved… [13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” What are you waiting for?  PRAYER: Thank you Lord for making salvation so simple yet so many denominations complicate so very much. I am thankful for being taught scripture at a young age and am thankful I live in a country where I can openly worship without persecution, for now. I lift up those in nations where they have to hide to worship you. Help me never neglect my time with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.