Feeling Guilty That Your Heart Aches?

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.Ephesians 6:10-11

Christmas time seems to accentuate family separation, medical issues, comparisons, and so forth. I know when I get caught up in a cry fest I realize I am an audience of one, well make that two as Jesus is with me. 

The ability to be still and to keep your mind centered on things above is essential this time of year so you don’t end up at a pity party. And once you snap out of it do you ever feel guilty because there are people with way bigger issues than you? 

This is where the enemy comes in rearing his ugly head trying to attack you at your weakest points and weakest moments. You have to stand your ground realizing once again this is a spiritual battle waged between you and Satan. He wants you to cave in and become a puddle of tears. Stand firm guarding your mind with the word. 

PRAYER:Father I thank you for making me who I am and giving me the gifts you have given me. Help me to remember it is Satan poking at me when I start to get messed up. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

How Was Your Day?

 

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

My son and his wife have this thing they started where at end of day around the  supper table each one tells how their day was. On my recent birthday right on cue soon to be 3 year old Emma asked how was your day and what did you do? 

My friend maybe your day hasn’t started or maybe you are reading this after sunset so how was your day? Was it filled with joy or did you have heartache? 

Try to intentionally  focus on good things and push the dark parts out of your dat away. Try to concentrate on the joy of the Lord and what you can do to be kind to another and not just because it is the  Christmas season. Make your days something to write home about. 

PRAYER:Today I thank you for getting up and breathing. I thank you for the freedom I enjoy. I thank you that you have provided me with so much so help me bless others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Cyber Monday? How About Jesus Monday?

 

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

  

Recently advertisers promoted Cyber Monday as a follow on to Black Friday. At this time of year everything is about shopping, shopping, shopping. No wonder people get bent out of shape and feel stress. 

I for one am not a lover of shopping. I know it is expected of me at this time of year so I try to relax and just let things happen. Giving is a sign of love and we give gifts at this time of year probably because the wise men gave gifts to the Christ child. Just a guess. Remember to be a cheerful giver whether it is money in the offering plate or a gift to a friend or total stranger. 

So as you go about the next few days try to relax and enjoy the season for what it really is. Find some time for peace and if you don’t have a nativity scene get one to remember the reason for the season. 

PRAYER: Lord I love this season for what it truly means and that is remembering the birth of a savior. In your name I pray. Amen. 

The Sarah Syndrome

Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’Genesis 18:1

Most every believer probably is familiar with the story of Sarah and Abraham waiting for the promised child but you also know Sarah took matters in own hands and the consequences we feel to this day with the hatred between Muslims and Jews. 

Have you had the Sarah Syndrome? 

I fight it all the time. I am not so sure that men suffer from impatience like women do but I may be wrong.I try to be still and stay under my husbands umbrella so to speak and when I don’t heed his protective demeanor then something bound to backfire. 

How do you and I learn to be still and to be patient? Letting God be the pilot not the co-Pilot and trusting if you pray and wait things will be okay. What prompted me to pen this devotion was me blowing it again. Oh Father help me trust you have things and I don’t have to be Holy Spirit Junior. 

PRAYER: So many women in the Bible couldn’t wait on God and it resulted in disastrous results. Help me wait, learn to stay under your covering and my husbands’ as I then will be on right path. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Culturally Programmed?

 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Are today’s young people being culturally programmed to accept sin as normal? As I sit and write in this coffee shop in Boise there is a rainbow flag hanging just a few feet from me displayed in the front window. I could choose to let it bother me or to go inside and show God’s love. 

God is the judge but everyone who isn’t in a coma is quite aware of the past few years things we get exposed to to try to desensitize us and make it normalized.I think an American flag would be much nicer but I don’t sound off. 

Point is you and I are called to not point fingers but to pray for the thousands who have been misled and for those tricked into a new morality which isn’t moral at all. God loves everyone and God’s house is for everyone but there are consequences to not following his word. Pray for anyone you know on a slippery slope that God opens their eyes.

PRAYER: The truth does set people free. A smile  also can set people free. Help use me Lord to represent your kingdom. Help those following false gods or ideologies and believing Satan’s lies. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

When Numbness Invades

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

I am not sure what you are going through but it seems everyone is. When you become concerned over something at times you may feel numb and not know what to say to God. Sound familiar? 

You do greatly are waiting for a change or an answer to prayer and in your quiet time may just sit in your special place and think but not speak anything. Believe me I know because that has been me lately then all of a sudden I said “Hey Satan I am not going to be muted” and then started to cast off wrong feelings and thinking. 

I said Father you know what is needed in this situation and only you can do it. Break the chains of darkness in__________ life and bring ministering angels to _______. At times you have to tell the devil to shut up. Just do it. You will feel better. 

PRAYER: At times my heart becomes so heavy and burdened I just feel like what do I do next. Help me get involved in someone else’s life so I am not always whining about my own. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stages Of Lonely

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Most everyone has been lonely at one time or another so it is a common emotion. When I first arrived in Kuna, Idaho I felt isolated and alone. Covid restrictions had eased somewhat but still not knowing anyone it was difficult to be a social butterfly. 

There are people around you everyday who are just wanting someone to say hi or invite them to do something. Probably one scenario is in a nursing home.  Often times our lives become to self consumed and busy that reaching out is not on our radar. 

Even just sending a greeting card or picking up the phone to say hi. Invite a friend to coffee. Stay off social media as much as possible for in the long run there is no reality or joy found there. Get into God’s word starting with the book of John. Rejoice for the life you are given. 

PRAYER: Lord God thankyou for loving me and being my best friend. I give you all my wrong feelings and ask that you help me to be strong and run my race to win. In Jesus’ name. Amen.