Is Money Your Idol?

 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:19

Seemingly throughout the ages two things create trouble and those are the desire for power and wealth. Mankind can manipulate, scheme, lie, kill, cheat to get ahead financially. 

God never intended money to be first place in your life above Him yet for many it is. Many scriptures in the Bible refer to wanting more and never being satisfied. Look at celebrities who build numerous mansions all over the world, or those cheating due to insider trading, gambling addiction, thinking you have to have the latest and greatest, but why, at what expense no pun intended. 

The wealth you have comes from God so do you give him a portion back? The Bible mentions 10% but your joyful heart may want to go beyond that. Don’t try to be noticed for your generosity but try to be a secret blesser even to the point others will wonder who anonymous is. If you are not on a budget get on one. Give God the glory and praise for all you have and don’t hold your money too tight as it is His anyway. 

PRAYER: Lord you are wonderful and you supply my needs and sometimes my wants. Help me loosen my hold on the dollar and not let it become a burden but use to bless others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Link to Christian budgeting tools:https://www.crown.org/

Weary? Burdened?

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”John 16:33

What is making you feel downcast, weary, burdened? It happens to everyone at one time or another. Sometimes it is brought on by your own actions but at other times it is due to the outside world swirling seemingly out of control.

The Western world may be under threat of tyranny and Satan blinds the eyes of many and creates division. That may cause you to be weary. At times you may overthink things in your mind and create scenarios that don’t exist. Division created during the Covid lockdown has been immense. It is necessary to lean into God and worship Him with your whole heart kind of like you would do if you were in the stadium watching your favorite team get a touchdown well isn’t Jesus worthy of the same excitement?

Instead of dwelling on the collapse of society or a financial crash look to God and shout His praises. Are you serious Becky act joyful? Yes because the devil hates joy so let him have it.

PRAYER: It is hard to sing praises if your home has just been destroyed by a hurricane, or a car runs into you after running a red light, or family members don’t respect and honor you. My heart hurts yes but I know you hold the future and it is well with my soul. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Giving My Quirks To God

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.1 Peter 5:8 NIV Bible Gateway 

When your mind has nothing to occupy itself with it is easy to start drifting into areas in your life Satan uses to disable you. Jealousy, wild imagination, thinking you know what others think, fear you offended someone. You get the idea. Certainly I am not the only one who deals with this. 

Take up knitting or study rocket science that will use up brain cells on a worthwhile manner. As laughable as it seems to maybe a few out there who don’t have this issue, it is a way that the enemy uses a personality weakness to make you stumble. Did I hear you say “Give everything to God?” That means everything! 

Consciously stop thinking dumb stuff and fill your mind with love, joy, peace, being kind, sharing with others, and just staying still and not going back into the same area you get nabbed at over and over. Bible teacher Joyce Meyer calls it stinking thinking. I know together you and I can kick this personality trait out of our lives. What do you say? 

PRAYER: I rejoice in having a sound mind but sometimes it is less than sound when I allow wrong thinking to enter. Help me Lord stay strong and fight this battle trying to destroy me and ultimately chase friends, strangers,  and family away. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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I’m Good

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

A modern reply these days when asked if you want such and such is to respond “I’m good” which my late mom with her good sense of humor would reply “I didn’t ask if you were good I asked if you wanted more popcorn” or something like that.

On ‘See You At The Pole’ day this fall a lady when asked by a young student passing by what was going on and she told him and then asked “Do you want to join us” he responded “No I’m good” which made me laugh a little but was also sad. 

This young teen apparently saw no need to publicly pray or something to that effect. Kind of made me sad but yet many today don’t really know how to pray or may be uncomfortable praying in public. Do you talk to your Heavenly Father? It isn’t scary. He is your friend. Let Him hear from you today. Make time for him. 

PRAYER: Lord there are many who really don’t pray or don’t know how to or pray to someone other being other than the Almighty God. Help me to help others learn to pray and not judge them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Resort Living

 

And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ Luke 12:19

Parks, playgrounds, and pools is what the sign outside many home developments reads to entice potential home buyers and investors into the luxury of seemingly a no hassle lifestyle. Similar to seeing resorts way out of your price range where everyone is tanned, laughing , and resting on a lounge chair next to the beach.

Mankind was not just meant to eat, drink, and be merry, but to serve others. The generations born since 2000 really may feel entitled to things but that is never what was to be. Problems for many are what my younger son calls ‘First World Problems’ and not any real life threatening life changing catastrophe.

Each day wake up looking to the Heavens and really thank God for life. Ask God to direct you where you can serve others. Your works become smaller and less worrisome when you can do something to build up another life.

PRAYER: The easy road seems to be what Western society depicts for its’ people. That is not reality. Bad stuff can and does happen and it is when my feet are in the fire of life that I see my greatest need for you. I choose to press on realizing there is more to life than sailboats,golf, cool drinks with umbrellas in them, and money. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Why Am I Here?

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7 ESV Bible Gateway

God has reasons for all people that are born. Even when life has been not so good for many it can be redeemed and you can be set free. 

Drug abuse, physical or sexual abuse, criminal past or now, sexual promiscuity, abortion, just keep adding to the list. You did not cause the things done to you and even if you consented or willfully did other things God is a God of a second chance. He is not out to get you but to love you and draw you to Him. 

Satan loves junk like I listed above and he deceives many into believing lies and living for him other than God. If you have a family member seemingly not paying attention to God tell Satan to get off their back and keep pressing on for the kingdom of God.

PRAYER: Father your love is limitless. Help those people who don’t feel loved or who are confused about life to find you. Set people free from the deception of Satan and draw them back to the fold. Give me strength daily to know I have freedom in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Phased Out

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.Titus 2:3-5 NIV Bible Gateway

Similar to modernization of all types of inventions things get phased out as new developments occur. Does your life ever feel like you are being phased out?

Perhaps you are treated poorly or hurt by family or friends. If you are older maybe you feel disrespected by younger persons who don’t value the wisdom of your years. 

Today I urge you to learn from those older than you. Some may not have that many people still living older than them. Why do so many dread aging? If you are young, respect and honor your ‘elders’ and pay tribute to those who paved the way for the life you enjoy today. Founding fathers, pioneers, entrepreneurs, inventors, veterans who fought and died for freedom, and so forth. No matter what your age each day do something to make a difference. 

PRAYER: I am grateful for life, friends, family, and life experiences. I am even thankful for struggles as they help me grow. Help me march on and shine the love of Christ where I go. In Jesus’ name. Amen.