Get Up, Keep Going

  “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV Bible Gateway

 

Back in my childhood films for children, called family films,  taught values as did TV sitcoms.  No having to plug ears or cover eyes. No woke agendas to try to transform the minds of innocent children.

 

I was reminded of one of these films when watching Mike Rowe on his new show called The Story Behind The Story on TBN and the movie was Bambi featuring the voice of Donnie Dunnagan as Boy Bambi. When Bambi was in trouble his dad said “get up get going”. The book ‘The Little Engine That Could’ also taught ‘I think I can, I think I can’ and thus many children, and adults are reminded, yes they can! 

Whether it is completing a 5K,10k, or ultra marathon, or working on a project without quitting, or persevering in prayer for a loved one when you don’t see evidence of change, just keep at it. Only the devil wants you to quit. Charge on! 

PRAYER: Strengthen me each day to charge on and forge ahead knowing you are with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#BG2 #Biblegatewayblogger

Don’t Let Your Guard Down

“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t fall asleep at the wheel. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”Luke 21:34-36 MSG Bible Gateway

Normally I am not into football unless it is Jan 1st or playoffs and Super Bowl. My hometown team, the Bengals, was in AFC championship on 29 January and I was thinking how the players can’t let their guard down thinking the game is over because in a split second the score can change. 

That is like your spiritual walk . Don’t assume because you go to a certain church or have belong to a denomination that sort of guarantees you are good to go. It doesn’t work that way. 

You are only on the Earth for a very short time and during that time God wants to use you to grow his kingdom and make a difference. Don’t get lazy with morning time alone with God or think just attending church is enough. It is way more than that. Guard your heart for out of it flow issues of your life. (Proverbs 4:23).Each day draw close to God and seek more of Him not just on Sunday. And search the scriptures and memorize key verses. Let your life reflect His glory! 

PRAYER: Help me not take my faith for granted and also to not get lazy in growing string reading scripture to get to know you better. Help me continue to press forward. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Jealous Monster-Has He Visited You?

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Have you ever felt left out, hurt, envious, or like you were playing second fiddle? Normally it occurs when your mind is on the flesh not the spirit. When the mind screams out “you deserve this” and then your mind goes off on its’ rampage counting up scenarios that can wreak havoc and wreck relationships if not held at bay. 

Maybe you think you have this licked then you discovered you were left out of something or get hurt by an apparent snub that may not be a snub at all. Get your mind settled on things above and don’t let your thoughts go crazy.  

To live a life of peace this area of a settled mind has to be foremost in a fruit of the spirit. Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of peace by getting you stirred up and hurt like a little child. Get settled in your mind and spirit that jealousy will not control you. Let it go. 

PRAYER: Forever your word is settled in heaven and I want to let your peace permeate my very being. Help me recognize when I am starting to stray into enemy territory and tell Satan he can not steal my contentment and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stay In Your Own Shoes

 

Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.Luke 6:37

It is unfair to pass judgment on someone unless you have ‘walked in their shoes’ and know the whole story. God gave you your own ‘shoes’ so stay in them and concern yourself with your own life. 

Often times you may want to speculate on why someone is living the life they are or why they did something contrary to God’s word but guess what , all of us have sinned it says in Roman’s 3:23. 

Instead when you feel judgmental give it to God and thank Him by God’s Grace you live and move and have your being. Be kind to those confused and hurting and pray for them. 

PRAYER: Thanks Father for being the only judge I really need. Forgive me when I have stuck my nose where it didn’t belong. Guard my heart so I do not do things where others want to condemn me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Loner?

 

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.Psalm 54:4 NIV Bible Gateway

One afternoon I just felt like going to my local coffee shop to write, read and chill. My neighbor was sitting in a vehicle outside and she couldn’t believe I was going alone. Some people don’t do good alone then at times alone is good. 

It is good to have time to think, collect thoughts. As a believer it is not good to be alone all the time. You need fellowship time with others and time one on one to get to know a friend. 

During your alone time pursue peace in your inner man. Think of those in your life needing prayer which is most everyone and silently pray. You could journal. Just in your time alone be thankful also for friends and family. Take this time to think of all the blessings in your life. 

PRAYER: Throughout history mankind at times has been alone. You Lord are our helper and it is you who gave pioneers the ideas to build this great land. I am thankful for times of peace and also times to build into another’s life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#BG2 Bible gateway blogger 

Quick Fix

   

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.James 1:2-3

How many times have you seen pop up ads or commercials for seemingly instant weight loss, banishing of age spots with a secret tip, erase lines and wrinkles with this secret formula, make millions without effort, and you maybe fall for it, I have to admit a couple times I have been enticed.

Things just don’t happen instantly especially spiritual growth and change. Persevere in prayer and practice godly disciplines to strengthen the inner man and for those persons needing a Holy Spirit facelift and inner person change, just hang on and don’t doubt and continue to press in for that person who needs healing and help.

I mention the movie ‘Redeeming Love’, which was released January 2022, lots because its’ message resonates with me in thinking about growing in Christ and being forgiven for things you may not feel you could ever be forgiven for. This movie, set in 1850’s Gold Rush in California, follows the life of Angel, sold into prostitution at age 8 and how she was redeemed and discovered what real love was as well as discovering God loved her and forgave her. What quick fix do you want to turn over to God?

PRAYER: Father I thank you for teaching me patience and understanding experiencing trials and some heartache I grow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Rejoice? You Kidding Me?

 

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Romans 5:3 

Do you get all giddy when you have problems or issues in your life because you know in the end they are a good thing? Probably not. 

Problems and setbacks help to strengthen you if you don’t let them overwhelm you. If you can ask God for strength to hold on and endure and keep praying you will be stronger for it. 

Believe receive and doubt do without. Just know that God has your back. Don’t crumble into a pile of worry and fear. Seek first His kingdom and even say thanks for the trials of life for in them you grow. 

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for trials for in them I learn to stand strong and keep believing and trusting. I choose to not fear. In Jesus’ name. Amen.