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However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.Acts 20:24

I saw this personalized tag recently and with this being Pearl Harbor day what a time to share about how the military personnel are taught to never quit and never surrender. During the surprise attack of Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii by the Japanese this courage and bravery came into play as the US entered into World War 2. 

Thousands of sailors perished that day which President Franklin D Roosevelt called a Day that will live in infamy. Don’t quit, don’t make excuses, don’t compromise freedom. Stand strong. Let what these sailors died for not be in vain. 

On this day we pause to remember this the first attack on our Homeland the second being 911 at the World Trade Center. Our honor as a nation is to stand strong against enemies both foreign and domestic. When I took my oath as a soldier I promised to defend against enemies both foreign and domestic. Keep your spiritual armor on as well (see Ephesians 6:10-18) to be able to fight against wickedness and evil in high places. Go onto the battlefield daily as a soldier of the Lord. 

PRAYER: Father thank you for freedom. Thanks to those brave individuals throughout our nations history who answered the call to serve and defend this nation in order to stay free from tyranny and evil. Help me do my part to help with freedom. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Blocks In Your Life

 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV Bible gateway 

In your mind you can block certain things. I sometimes get writers block where my creative juices sort of freeze up. You can block relationship building due to fear. You can block Faith prayers due to fear of ‘what if’ nothing happens. There are mind blocks, stumbling blocks, road blocks. 

Are you setting up limitations in your life because of things you learned such as everyone gets married by 40 or You can’t try something new in retirement. If you are over 70 you shouldn’t ride a bike or try new things. 

God can use your life no matter what your age and can break through a wrong belief and wrong thinking system. God can use you and no matter your age you are vital in His kingdom. Break free from things blocking you and preventing you from being all God meant you to be. 

PRAYER: Lord thank you for setting me free from wrong thinking or fear and thank you for helping me keep moving forward no matter what my age or what people think. The only thing that matters is what you think. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: My idea for this devotion came from Pastor Steven Furtick message.

Circle Of Your Impact

 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.Romans 12:12

You never know whose life you may touch or impact. Oh sure you naturally hope to impact your children and grandchildren but who else did you cross paths with whose life was changed.? You may never know til Heaven.

Each and every day is an opportunity to show the love of Christ with people you encounter. A hair dresser, checkout clerk at a store, TSA agent, neighbor, receptionist at doctor or auto place you get the idea. These ‘chance’ encounters can help plant seeds for the kingdom.

It is not necessary to be a well known Christian to impact the works around you. Every day are oodles of chances to let others know Gods love for them.

PRAYER: Each day I have a new chance to operate for the kingdom as your special ‘agent’ sent forth to share hope and joy. Use me to make a difference. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

So Many Prayers.....One Big God

 

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.Psalm 51:17(NIV)Bible Gateway

Lost and lonely people are everywhere in our world. Many people mock God and attempt to cheapen the power of prayer.

First off God is not a genie in a bottle just granting wishes but He hears and delights in showering blessings on those who have a broken and contrite heart. I know of people personally who say they have taken a break from ‘church’ but they may as well say God because ultimately this is a comment where a person rejects God and listens to the father of lies Satan who then takes the individual down a winding confusing path that appears to be wiser than God.

The Bible says to keep praying. Period. You have probably been there as I know I certainly have where you grow weary of waiting for breakthrough and at times give up entirely. Press on my friend. Believe me I know how it feels. Maybe you feel as if no one around you understands what is going on and how deep your hurt is but God does know. Hang in there!

PRAYER: Lord you are beautiful your face is all I seek. I know I need to keep looking up no matter how hopeless it may seem. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Working Out Your Problems

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Bible Gateway

This time of year seems to accentuate and bring to the forefront pain, separation, need, and hurt. When it seems the world is jolly,  deep down you may have immense hurt and real things troubling you and because it is Christmas the pain goes away? I don’t think so. 

Pain and hurt sometimes is the catalyst to getting on the road to healing. When you are at a low point you naturally tend to look up. 

You can face problems with God’s hope. There is always something to hope for. Only the enemy likes to keep you stuck and depressed not imagining how you can ever be free and joyful again. But you can and will. Keep believing. 

PRAYER:Father I love your word and I love to have time to be still and think. I will not allow strongholds to incapacitate me and get me feeling gloomy. I choose to rise up! In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

Who Or What Are You Going To Believe?

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.2 Timothy 1:7

After over 2 years of steadily great health taking immunity daily somehow I came into contact somewhere with Covid germs that got me. After a few days I started acting irrational, thinking what was going to happen to me. I allowed the things I heard in the world to temporarily control me. 

This Incapacitating fear was coming from Satan. You can choose to be fearful or peaceful. The ‘what if syndrome’ can make you spin out of control if you allow it to. You can choose peace and trust or you can wind up sick from worry. 

Choose to be reasonable and know the truth from God. He gives us power, love, and a sound mind. Talk out loud and repeat todays verse and don’t let fears make your heart ultimately fail. Fear doesn’t have to control your life. Rejoice your victory is in Jesus! 

PRAYER: Father I don’t want to be fearful but want your perfect peace. Help me relax and give my cares to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Thankful? You Betcha!

 

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15

I was right in the middle of watching a sermon with Dr. Charles Stanley on thankfulness when my right hand starting hurting like crazy out of nowhere. Eventually  it subsided but right in the middle of a message on being thankful. Go figure. 

Things like that get our attention sometimes. It may take pain to wake you up and make you grateful. I coast through  life very grateful for an abundance of energy I am blessed with at my age. When I got sick recently I for sure was praising God for the blessings he has given me. What about you, what are you thankful for?

Sometimes you don’t realize how wonderful someone or something is until they are gone. This past Thanksgiving was filled with memories from my family as I am sure it was yours as well. Stop and think about just how blessed you really are. See if you can’t continue to be grateful as if every day were Thanksgiving. 

PRAYER: Thanks so much for all your abundance to me Lord. I have no business complaining when I stop and think of everything. In Jesus’ name. Amen.