Is Your Mind ‘Stayed’ On Christ?

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 KJV Bible Gateway

You probably don’t hear the word ‘stayed’ much as this is King James Version but I use it because it is a good action verb that presents an excellent word picture. When something is ‘stayed’ it is ‘set it ‘steadfast’ a fixation of sorts.

How many times do you find yourself getting on a tangent of stinking thinking? You say you aren’t going to, make the New Year resolution and alas there go your thoughts right in the garbage pit of wasted brain cells. The enemy loves it when Christians end up getting their mind off Christ because soon you are dwelling on things and speculating on stuff that may or may not happen and are tripped up. 

To try to combat this tendency which can be easy to do especially during Covid when your mind is not occupied in as much and can tend to drift, get up daily and start your day with the word. Cast off wrong thinking immediately and tell Satan you have the mind of Christ and then ask the Holy Spirit to indwell your thinking. Practice daily and soon your mind could be on the road to recovery. 

PRAYER: Thanks for another day to think good things. I refuse to allow my mind to dwell on scenarios and what if’s but choose to be at peace and trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Are You In A Rut?

 

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Do you feel unmotivated or confused in life maybe as a result of isolation we have been under? The enemy will try to take advantage of those moments when you feel that way. 

Today if you have been feeling down get up and get going. Maybe you feel isolated from family near and far and it has been breaking your heart. Stay in touch by  Facetime and do what you need to to keep motivated maybe an online class, clean your house, start a hobby, go walking, and get your mind off things that would drag you down. You have to intentionally focus on good. 

Stay off social media and don’t veg out in front of TV. Find a good book, maybe the Bible, and some worship music. Don’t compare yourself to another person who situations may be totally different. Keep praying. Don’t lose hope. 

PRAYER: My hope is in you and you alone Lord. Help me find peace in your word and in maybe encouraging others. Praying for a sense of normalcy to return soon. Pray for any disputes in families to be healed. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Side Effects

 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Galatians 5:16-17

Lately many peoples attention has turned to the new Covid 19 vaccine released wondering if there were side effects. Also medicine labels often give you possible side effects.

There is another side effect that is wonderful and it is love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, and self control when you walk in the Spirit and stay close to God and don’t walk in the flesh. During this time of being closed in would be a great time to concentrate on being a good family member,spouse, and friend. Call people, FaceTime, zoom.

2021 has many new things in store and hopefully not as major an impact as 2020. Lean into God and trust Him. In good times and bad He cares for you. Let your side effects be joy, kindness, and love as you pursue Christ in 2021.

PRAYER: I am grateful for another year to share the love of Christ with others and to seek peace and pursue it.In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Welcome TO 2021....Get Ready!

And fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming- who can tell someone else what will happen after them?Ecclesiastes 10:14

I recall my pastor's first of the year sermon last year talking about 2020 vision in 2020 and no one had a clue what was to await most of the world. What a ride it has been. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

So here we are in the first month of 2021 and you want to make plans but still unsure if you really can. I remember my pocket calendar last year got entirely scratched out. Some unplanned down time can be good but to just have it all thrown at you when you are used to smooth sailing is chaotic. 

Moral to the story is to live each day a day at a time and trust God for providing what you need in the midst of whatever you face. Don’t get caught up in conspiracy theories and maybe just make it a point to pray and be still. One thing is for sure you will learn valuable lessons from this which could help others later. What is happening Lord? No one knows but He holds the future. 

PRAYER: Even though it has been a difficult year and very painful for those who have lost friends or family during this time but yet in America we still have it fairly good. I thank you for lessons learned both good and bad and I thank you for protection and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I’ll Be Praying For You...Whoops I Forgot

 

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?James 2:15-16

Do you like to pray? Did you know that prayer does not require a degree or great knowledge of scripture because it is simply talking to God. 

I am not sure if you can identify with this but have you ever had a friend or even a stranger ask for prayer for and you tell them you will be praying for them then because you did not write it down it slips your mind? I have a good longtime friend who will ask if there is anything I need prayer for? Pretty neat to make it a priority. 

The verse for today can maybe be related to saying something like you will pray but then you never really intended to it was just a nervous response. Why not make 2021 the year you follow through and pray and set aside time in your day to talk to God. Put Him on your appointment calendar. 

PRAYER: It’s me God. I need help staying on task when it comes to my daily quiet time and also making prayer a top priority. Help me ignore nay sayers and the enemy that will try to get me to stop cause nothing is happening and instead press on and know it will! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Note: today is the beginning of 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer. I included a link for information. https://21days.churchofthehighlands.com/

Try To Stay Cheerful....It's 2021!

 



 “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33b, NKJV.

Imagine a world with no death, pain, arguments, murders, fake news, betrayals, and a host of other things and that is not our world now. But for those who have asked Jesus to be Lord of their life Heaven awaits. 

Won't that be nice? No more tears, pain, suffering, roadside bombs, heartache, jails, quarantine,disease,  isolation, murmuring, bickering but wonderful love and peace that the Bible says "No man can imagine". Every one reading this should be praying for those you know who do not know the Lord. Instead of hating and being angry with people you disagree with morally, politically, socially you need to pray for people to come to the Kingdom and make a decision for the Lord before it is too late. 

Get rid of any haughty attitude that you are better than so and so. For those you know who have been less than enthusiastic about 'all things Jesus' lift them up as well for Holy Spirit conviction.  Forgive people who have hurt you even if they do not think they have. No one knows when the Lord will return so get yourself right with Him if you have not done so already. If you don't know how, private message me. Now is the time of salvation. Are you ready?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for this beautiful Earth I have been dwelling on and for the people who were responsible for praying for me and telling me how to know you as my savior. Knock down any religious barriers in anyones' life who may have not heard the truth of the gospel. Use me to shine your love to others. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Note: Click link for a powerful son to go along with today's devotion.

https://youtu.be/kJs1CUwSRzM

Flipping the Page On A Calendar Does Not Change Your Heart

 

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.Isaiah 43:19

You have to change your attitude and your mindset looking forward to what can be new. It is not automatic that like magic 2021 is going to be different unless you sow good words and thinking into your life. 

Make a list of what is going to be different and develop an attitude of gratitude. The late President John F Kennedy said “ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country.”

Don’t take your old emotional baggage, insecurities, and fears into New Year. Be expecting good things from the Almighty. Keep a journal of 2021 and if you did this in 2020 go back and reflect on your spiritual journey. Come to Jesus and start anew and renew your heart. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord forgive my unbelief when things don’t happen like I think they should. I trust you to guide, to guard, and protect me and my family in 2021 and will give you all the praise and glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: Ways to start new year are 21 Days of Prayer. https://21days.churchofthehighlands.com/

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Today’s Title came from a quote by Pastor Paul Daugherty Victory, Tulsa.