Love Is-Part 1

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  1 Corinthians 13:4

On your journey in life love is a key factor. 1 Corinthians 13 is often used in marriage ceremonies because it is full of the real meaning of love. 

Are you patient and are you kind? With everyone? Are you jealous when others seem to get a better deal on life? That is not loving. Read the scripture out loud and think what it means. 

Love is kind even when humanly it may have all the reason to fight back. Patience is key in loving relationships and not being quick to provoke or cause a dispute. 

There is so very much packed into this one tiny verse. Why not try to aim for fulfilling this in your life. Think before overreacting, texting, and spewing forth on social media. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you journey through life. 

PRAYER: I love you Lord and I want my life to emulate a follower of Christ. It is difficult to do that when I lash out at others with my mouth with words I never thought about before I said them. Keep me still. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Is Your Life Derailed?

 

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

Do you ever feel like a train that has jumped the track and laying in a heap of metal along side the tracks? When trains derail lives are often lost and chaos ensues. 

Perhaps recent events in your life have not gone so well. A broken relationship, a death of a loved one, loss of job, illness, bad medical diagnoses, a lawsuit, whatever it is God is still there and as cliche as it may sound He really does care. You have to take time and let Him hear from you. 

Each and every day make time for God. All sorts of distractions may try to get you away from doing it but make it a priority. Going through stuff helps shape you into a more useable vessel for the Lord. He can make beauty out of ashes. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord at times my heart aches so much and life feels like it is swirling beyond my control but in reality you are in control and love me more than I can even imagine. Give me strength to hang on during the derailments of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

Don't Need A Building To Worship But.....

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”Hebrews 10:24-25 

….will you really worship? A person can say they love Jesus and don’t need to be in a building on Sunday to prove it but oh how these individuals need fellowship. Don’t do life alone friend. 

Perhaps you have been burned by a bad ‘religious’ experience. Maybe the church you were in was only because that was the one you were used to so you are afraid to venture beyond a certain denomination. 

It is essential that Christ, His word, His truths not be put on the back burner of life. Deep down you know you need to find a church to fellowship in. Everyone needs a place they can belong and have friends. Beyond church are the small group Bible studies to nurture you. Find yourself a life giving loving spirit filled church home today. 

PRAYER: Your word is a lamp to my feet and the experience of being with other like minded people keeps me grounded and going in the direction of the cross. Alert me to any obstacles Satan throws at me to keep me from wanting fellowship. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: click link below to find a life giving church in your area. 

Www.associationofrelatedchurches.com

STDFST

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.1 Corinthians 15:58

What does it mean to be steadfast? The letters that make up my devotion title today were seen on a car tag here in Idaho. I just love figuring out messages the owners are trying to convey. It was a Marine Corps owner so it may have even had to do with standing strong for this nation. 

Steadfast means to be unyielding, unwavering, determined. Ephesians 4:14 speaks of not being like children tossed about who can’t make up their minds but to be steadfast as well. 

Being steadfast is a very important character trait to develop and it is done by not getting entangled in worldly affairs that can draw you away from the Lord. It is also keeping your mind focused on things above(Philippians 4:8). How are you in the steadfast department? 

PRAYER: I need you to be my stronghold every minute of everyday to help me not get tripped up and sucked into the deception the enemy throws at me. I choose steadfastness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are You Prideful?

 

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

“No not me” you might say but what exactly is pride as it is classified as a bad thing in God’s Word. It could be excessive concern over others thinking you don’t qualify or aren’t good enough. Or excessive self esteem to the point of acting haughty.

Think of being too prideful to stoop down and help someone from another economic status than yourself. Pride can in fact lead to a fall.

You are never to toot your own horn or get in someone’s face but instead to seek ways to lift others up and bring glory to God.

PRAYER: Father God I need you each day to help keep me from acting like I too big for my britches. Help me to remember to reach out to others without wanting anything in return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Look Beyond The Tatts

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 NIV Bible gateway

 

It is so easy to make judgments because of misinformation or appearances. The baby boomer generation mostly saw tattoos on sailors, soldiers, gang members  whereas nowadays they seem to be everywhere. 

If you get so focused on judging people who have tattoos you may lose any opportunity for friendship or showing the love of Jesus. Some pastors even have tattoos and I have seen believers with tats showing crosses and Bible verses. I am not here to throw a Bible verse out about not marking up ‘the temple of God’ your body, but simply to say love and not judge. 

I will end with this comical story. 40 years ago we took our first cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines and on board I kept seeing people with little round stickers on their necks so I thought it was a cult so we avoided them and when a few hours went by and we discovered the patches were for sea sickness. Did we get a good laugh. The point is to love one another. You never know how your interaction might make a difference for the kingdom. 

PRAYER:Lord I am not perfect. People might not like my hair, my clothes, and other outward things but inside my heart is sold out to you Jesus. Help me show unconditional love for those I encounter daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

No More Curve Balls Satan

 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.1 Peter 5:8 NLT

 Do you know the enemy knows your weak areas and will throw curve balls of sorts to try to trip you up and get you off track and messed up? Knowing this you should strengthen yourself with scripture and keep your spiritual armor on. 

Church is not just a place to go on Sunday and punch a ticket but it is, or should be, a training ground for fighting the enemy and instilling hope in those who are feeling in despair especially after these past two years. 

It is essential that you read your Bible and if you feel overwhelmed with even knowing how because you have not been spiritually trained, then just begin with the book of John in the New Testament. Each and every day you pray and get some scripture in your mind you will start on the journey to defeating the enemy and his tricks and schemes. Stay strong and avoid curve balls. 

PRAYER: I am grateful father God for the Holy Spirit which guides me into all truth. I pray for anyone today who feels helpless, confused, alone, lost, lonely, or scared. Bring peace and a friend to come along side them to help them get into a spiritual mindset to live for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.