Footholds

 

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27

Don’t give devil foothold is another translation of ‘giving place’ to the devil. Anyone who is a rock climber can attest to the fact you need a good foothold before proceeding upward on the rock. If you don’t, disaster can occur.

In life you want to avoid things that cause Satan to get a foothold in your life such as anger, resentment, pride, selfishness, hatred, and so forth. Do things that keep you close to God and avoid pitfalls that create confusion, contempt, and evil.

Overlook, move on. This is not about being fair or getting your way or being right but it is about staying at peace and controlling negative emotions and stinking thinking. Stay calm, cool, and collected. Forgive and be peaceful. And yes smile.

PRAYER: Today I thank you for your love for me no matter how bad I mess up and how many people reject me you never do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stay Out Of The Ditch

 

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

In order to have complete victory over the wiles of Satan you have to stop jumping back into the ditch so to speak. 

As much as I tell others to keep looking up sometimes yours truly has to take some of my own medicine. Most battles are waged in the mind and the sooner you get a grip on this fact your days will go much better.

You can wake up and orchestrate scenarios in your mind or you can say this is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.(Psalm 118:24) Simply stated that means no jumping back into ditches where Satan is awaiting you but stand firm and take authority over the devil. 

PRAYER: Lord you are so good to me. You have paved the road ahead of me and say this is where I want you to walk. Help me not stray from the path. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stupid Mouth

 

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21

Think before you speak, text, post or otherwise. Every thought in your head doesn’t have to pop out. Have you walked in the shoes I am talking about? 

You put something out there say on a Facebook page and change your mind. Too late. Someone saw it and someone formed an opinion. Or you get the courage to speak to someone about a tense or touchy area but have you prayed about it and thought it through? Perhaps you are very opinionated and need to tone it down a bit? 

The tongue is full of deadly poison. Chapter 3 in the book of James gives you a whole bunch of warnings about the tongue. The Navy has a phrase ‘Loose lips sink ships’ and indeed meaning watch what you say and who you say it to. Now go have a good day and try to be still. 

PRAYER: Lord forgive me when I say inappropriate or hurtful things and more importantly make me aware of it. Give me the courage to say I am sorry. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Does Satan Get In Your Headspace?

 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

It is difficult to communicate with many people and at times trying to figure things out ahead of time can back fire or speaking when you need to be still. So hard to wait and not mess things up with your mouth.

Also thinking things irrationally that aren’t real, can mess you up. Being impulsive is a killer too. You don’t know what others are thinking, no way you could, so relax and ask the Holy Spirit to infiltrate your thinking.

Be still, be patient, be kind. Often times another person is on a tough journey you know nothing about so give them a break.

PRAYER: I am ever so grateful for the mind and the brain so intricate and complex and an absolutely miraculous thing. Help me not clutter my brain with bad thinking, nonsense, lies, debates, squabbles and so forth. I choose peace. In Jesus’ name.Amen.

Hurting Hearts Are Everywhere

 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.Romans 12:12

Between 2019-2022 it was rough for many people. Divisions, separations, loneliness, suicides, job losses, friendships ending, fractured families, fear of germs, need I go on. Have I hit the nail on the head yet?

Perhaps you are still hurting from an ache that won’t go away. I am certain therapists have stayed busy. Thankfully normal conditions or the new normal are upon us. You make a new way so to speak.

All this is spiritual warfare. If you have not been used to knowing there is God and there is the devil well it is true. Fight against him daily. It is evident Satan wants to destroy the family. My friend stand firm whatever you are going through. Be still. Keep praying.

PRAYER: Your love and care for me is beyond my understanding. Give me strength to hang on. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

My Heart Aches-Does Yours?

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

The most recent school shooting in Nashville,Tennessee is tragic. The enemy is not the shooter but the enemy has dominated the shooters thoughts and heart. 

My heart really hurt when I heard 3 nine year olds, that is only 4 years older than my own granddaughter, were victims. Ever since prayer was taken out of our public schools in 1963 there has been a slow yet steady downfall in morals, in discerning right and wrong and in believing the truth. The law basically said “God we don’t need you in our schools anymore” and a downfall in morality and gun violence followed. 

Also families have been divided and the one way to heal this divide is to seriously get into the Bible and prayer but many who know that don’t! Why? What is going on in your life friend? Are you estranged from people you love?  Have words crushed you? Keep on keeping on. Don’t say “ Oh I wish Jesus would call me home” as he is not done with you here. Stay strong. Have people pray over you. Forgive those who hurt you. 

PRAYER: Lord you are my stronghold in times of trouble. My heart cries out to you in a dry weary land. Lord I love you and I am ashamed when I let angry words get the best of me. Help me give my issues totally to you and be still. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

No Joke

 

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.2 Timothy 3:1

Not sure exactly how April 1 got to be called April Fool’s Day but I have been victim of some well crafted pranks. But here we are the day of non stop jokes.

I will tell something that is not a joke. Jesus is alive and well and coming back soon. Will you be ready? Are you ready?

Many mock this but just look around at what is going on in the world. Don’t be scared but be prayerful.

Today if you hear His voice or a nudge from the Holy Spirit don’t harden your heart and back away. Continue to speak the truth in love and never stop praying.

PRAYER: Father it is no joke you are the Almighty God creator or Heaven and earth yet many are still trying to play God. Open the eyes of the blind. There is no one like you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.