The Enemy Is After Your Purpose

Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.Psalm 27:12

Have you struggled with doubts, anger, depression, lack of motivation and so forth. Have you opened the door to the enemy by doing or thinking things you know the Holy Spirit didn’t put there? 

You need light to fight the enemy and as long as you allow dark thinking and live a dark lifestyle and are not running hard after the purpose God created you for you will lack fulfillment. Who are you shutting out? Friends and a church body who are there with open arms. 

Stop listening to the lies of the culture. The culture is managed by Satan who is the god of this world. Why do you continue to pursue a lifestyle that you know displeases God. Do you want your joy back? Running from Christian friends and running from truth only leads to a pit. Refuse to continue letting Satan control you and make you an angry unfulfilled person. Run hard after God and get that burden lifted once and for all. 

PRAYER: I lift up those people who choose to continue to believe the lies of the culture simply because their spiritual life has jumped the track. I pray for healing and deliverance for those who need it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Guilt And Shame

 

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.1 Corinthians 6:18

Have you been involved in a sin so apart from God you feel God could never accept you back? This is a lie of Satan to keep you disabled in your mind and thoughts. 

The devil is a liar, a thief, a peace stealer. He convinces you that there is no hope. He has taunted people to the point of suicide making them feel there is no way out of what they are going through. 

Todays generation with technology and fake friends on Facebook and social media may have you feeling quite alone. Connection with people and renewing your mind in Christ is essential for a healthy whole life. Don’t believe the lies of Satan that there is no way back to God, purity, and freedom. Christ can set you free. 

PRAYER: Lord guide me each day in truth and knowing you care for me no matter what. Help anyone struggling with lies from the enemy receive a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Money The Root Of Evil?

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.1Timothy 6:9-10 NIV Bible Gateway

I love watching Grit TV which is cowboy shoes  and old west movies. The main theme of the western expansion of the US seemed to be the quest for gold and wealth. Many times to get it many people were killed with stage coach robberies or bank robberies. 

Things haven’t changed much today in 2023. Sure we need money to live on but the desire for wealth has created broken homes, addictions, selfishness, robberies, Ponzi schemes, cheating and so forth. 

Money and wealth won’t make you happier but in many cases create more problems. Be thankful if you have been blessed with more than you need but realize many things you think you need to be happy really just cause misery. Don’t compare yourself with others. Be content. Stop jealousy. Share. Most Americans are rich compared to rest of the world. 

PRAYERS: Thank you for providing for my basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. Help me find ways to share with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Feet Washing

 

I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. So you also should wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example. You should do as I have done for you. John 13:14-15

Washing someone’s feet seems strange, invasive, embarrassing. But it is a true symbol of the sold out Radical love of our Savior. Also a sign of Humility.

I have never been to a foot washing ceremony but I have heard of them occurring at weddings where the groom on an act of serving his new bride washes her feet. In the 2022 faith based movie ‘Redeeming Love’ there was a scene where the character Michael Hosea played by actor Tom Lewis washes his brides’ feet, Angel, played by actress Abigail Cowan, after she returned from running away but deciding to return. It was a selfless act of love, humility and service. In the Jesus Revolution movie the pastor washes the hippies feet as they enter the church.

What about you? Could you let someone wash your feet? I know people who don’t like pedicures as it seems so invasive having a person see your ugly gnarled calloused feet. All that does not matter to our savior. What would you do?

PRAYER: Jesus today help me humble myself that the act of foot washing would not seem repulsive but would be an act of love to another. In Jesus’ name. Amen

God's Approachable Table

 

“God’s kindness is meant to lead [us] to repentance.” Romans 2:4

I use the You Version Bible app and I highly recommend it no matter if you are Catholic or Protestant or have no faith at all. In a recent reading on a devotion it said ‘His table was approachable regardless of what your lifestyle was like.” Ponder that. 

Now this statement doesn’t say he gives people a free pass to sin but that he loves you and will still hang out with you. He doesn’t judge and condemn like humans do but is there to love on you. 

Jesus wants us to repent of our sins and run to him. Church attendance can get legalistic and isn’t a guarantee pass to Heaven but it is a way to grow in your faith as long as you find a Bible teaching church. Also Jesus wants little children to know about Him. He wants little children to come to him and learn His love for them. Keep praying for open doors to get people you know and love to embrace the savior. 

PRAYER:Father I know we are not to sin but we are also not to act holier than thou and like we are better than others. Help me show grace and mercy to those you put in my path some of which are family. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Are You Ready?

 

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.Matthew 24:36

Readiness is something important. Winter road crews prepare for snow and ice. Students get ready for tests by studying. Actors get ready for a play by rehearsing. Everything in life takes readiness. 

Are you ready for the most important event that being the return of Jesus Christ? It is going to happen no matter what your particular denomination preaches or omits. The word of God is crystal clear. 

Matthew 24:40 says “ Two men will be plowing a field: one will be taken, and the other will be left in the field.” This is referred to as the rapture. The 'Left Behind' movie trilogy a few years ago highlighted this. Many churches today don’t even preach about this and are doing a great disservice to those attending. You must be ready. It is not just about being nice, being baptized, or attending a certain church. You must truly have been born again. It is something to await joyously not be fearful of. Signs of his coming are even more prevalent today after things happening in Israel. Go in peace, do not fear. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you that you will come again and all that is on this Earth is so minor compared to your glory. I pray for those I know and love who may not be ready. Draw them to you in a powerful life changing way. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Lead Children To Christ

 

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:6

It is so important to ground your children in the teachings of Jesus. If you believe in Heaven and Hell why would you not want to. Don’t just go to church for the sake of going but find one where the salvation message is preached. 

Many raise their children to love Jesus and then life takes over and the children sadly leave their faith and sad moms and dads are confused and on their knees crying out to God to protect them while they wander away into the wilderness. 

Moms and dads out there, grandmas and grandpas don’t give up on prayer. God hears you. You may not be able to understand how someone one day is on fire for the Lord and the next could care less. Keep crying out to God. Let Him work. 

PRAYER: Lord God put a hedge of protection around any adult children who have decided Jesus is not their ‘thing’ anymore. Guard grandchildren who may not get to go to church due to parents who don’t think it is necessary. Wake up those who have gotten too much into the fun of the world to care. In Jesus’ name. Amen.