Puncture Wounds

 

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6 KJV Bible Gateway

For the purpose of this devotion puncture wounds refers to wounds to your inner man, your spirit and heart from people who throw word ‘darts’ at you maybe not on purpose but they still hurt. Have you experienced that?

Punctures can occur from thorns, knives and so forth but a ‘forked’ uncaring tongue is the ultimate worse painful puncture although not drawing blood it hurts your soul. 

Have you been the victim of a puncture from a thoughtless person maybe not walking in the Spirit. You don’t want to strike back but be calm and forgive. Some punctures may take therapy to truly get healed. Don’t be responsible for hurting another with careless words. 

PRAYER: Words when spoken in a mean spirit can ruin a life. Help me Lord to watch out for wounded people who may need special care. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Oh Wait Lord You Can’t Call Me Home Today I Want To Go To New Store Grand Opening

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Matthew 24:37 NIV Bible Gateway

What a ridiculous statement if you were to make it knowing you really wanted to enjoy an earthly pleasure and put off a heavenly welcoming party. You don’t know from one day to the next if it will be your last day. People in dire situations might have more of a general idea but really only God knows. 

I thought of this because today 6 April in my area a brand new sports superstore has its’ grand opening and people may plan to be there at O dark thirty when it opens for prizes but what if you are called to Heaven today? Wow nice that would be the ultimate grand opening! 

You may make your earthly plans but God ultimately calls the shots. Don’t be so in love with this world you dread leaving. This world is not your home and be thankful for that because when you die if Jesus is Lord of your life  you leave behind all the pain and suffering. Rejoice! 

PRAYER: I love the life I have on earth but I know this world is not my home. Help those people in my circle of acquaintances realize there is way more than parties, trips to Vegas, going on vacation and so forth. I rejoice because you have a place prepared for believers in Heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Ultimate Healing

 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV).

This verse rings true so much. Right now one of my dearest friends lost her battle to cancer even though we prayed hard and knew God could heal her. Why didn’t He? 

Basically my friend is way better off than we are as she is walking and leaping and praising God. Why is it we yearn to stay here just one more day, week, or year when ultimately Heaven is our reward and a mansion awaits us when our last breath is breathed? 

So many things take us by surprise and some are harder to understand than others but ultimately God’s plan will prevail. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for each and every day of life and each opportunity to share your hope and love with others. Help me not fear the future. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Dedicated in loving memory to Elaine Manning 1955-2024. 

Stay Out Of The Ditch

 

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.Psalm 40:2 KJV Bible Gateway

I have a sign on my refrigerator that looks like a traffic light with red for stop, yellow caution and green to proceed with caution. It is a helpful reminder in conversations or texting to use wisdom and prayer before moving on. It helps keep me out of the emotional ditch so to speak.

Whatever is going on in your life only Satan wants you in a ditch. God wants you to thrive and grow and develop spiritual muscle through your trials.

Don’t allow the enemy to trick you and push you into a ditch. You are better than that. Whatever you are believing God for keep at it my friend. Keep your thoughts on God not troubles.

PRAYER: I want to be strong and grow through trials and setbacks. Help me run my race daily not looking back but reaching forward toward victory. In Jests’ name. Amen.

The Comparison Monster

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.Galatians 1:10

The world you live in full of social media creates a vacuum for comparison. Maybe not intended as bragging but all the posts of cruises, accomplishments and so forth can tend to make a person feel inadequate. 

Brother and sister you are far from inadequate. You were created by God for a distinct purpose on this earth. You are to be a beacon of hope in a world getting darker and darker. 

Get rid of junk in your life that creates discontent and run a race towards Jesus being thankful and grateful for everything in your life. Give it a try. 

PRAYER:Help me today to stop and say thanks for the gift of life, friends, family, and to not fall into the trap of feeling I need more. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Reap What You Sow

 

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.Galatians 6:7

Reaping and sowing is a farming concept but also a spiritual one. You plant a certain kind of seed and it produces a certain crop. 

Sow peace, reap contentment. Sow joy, reap joy. Sow hate, reap anger. You get the point. 

The man or woman who sows to the flesh will reap a harvest of misery. Fleshly things go against the spirit of God. Satan is working hard to confuse people making them feel debauchery and perversion are okay whereas God loves all people but he wants them to run from those things that war against their souls. Where are you today my friend. Talk to God. He loves you no matter what you have done. 

PRAYER: Today is a good day to sow a harvest of peace and contentment. When the enemy tries to get me up in arms I refuse to get fretful. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Go Fly A Kite

 

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.Romans 1:20

I heard somewhere about a tradition of flying a kite on the day after Easter Sunday. A symbol of Resurrection and New Life Christian ascending to Heaven. 

I like it and am hoping to give it a try weather permitting. Showing children God is now in the heavenlies. But also He is within reach of your every hurt, pain, grief, rejection, sickness and when you can’t figure things out give it to God and let it go! 

Today open your heart to the Lord. Don’t try to fix things yourself. You may be going through some pretty deep things and you hurt very badly. I know I have been there and so has God. Talk to Him and trust He is taking care of whatever it is. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for helping me to stop trying to be all things to all people and trying to fix things beyond my ability. Keep me in the shadow of your wings. I need your covering. In Jesus’ name. Amen.