Morals, Values, Self Control

 

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.2 Corinthians 3:17

These 3 things  which are my title were written into our US Constitution pointing out a country could not exist and survive without these three things. Many of our monuments and buildings have Bible verses inscribed upon them. 

Our country’s unique experiment in freedom has continued 248 years but not without people trying to destroy truth and history. Friend you are blessed to live in a nation governed by the people for the people but you must be vigilant to insure this freedom is protected. 

God gave us life and gave us liberty and freedom. Stand firm and don’t ever take what you have for granted. Those brave first settlers who came here gave you much for what you enjoy today. Followed by the journey to go West to new frontiers. Satan will always try to stick his foot in to deceive, trick, and lie to you. Run hard for freedom and stay alert. 

PRAYER: Thanks for my life Lord. Thanks for freedom. Thanks for having a Bible to read daily. Guide my steps daily and keep me alert to danger and deception. Protect my family as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Fighting The Good Fight

 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV Bible gateway

Death will come for all of us. Your final destination will be Heaven or Hell. Period. What are you doing now to prepare for death?

My sweet longtime friend Elaine was in perfect health and had  counted on living into her 90’s next to her sweetheart since age 14 but death took her on March 29. She got gall bladder and liver cancer and even though we believed for a miracle and a healing God took her home after four months of cancer.

Her husband is deeply grieving. She made jewelry and greeting cards and visited nursing homes. On Veterans Day she made gifts for Veterans and went to restaurants where Veterans had their free meal and passed them out. I was with her once when she did this act of service. Why did God allow a person like that to die? I don’t know. I pray for her family still in disbelief from her sudden passing. In October they would have celebrated 50 years of marriage. Friend no one knows the mind of Christ and His ways are higher than ours. Talk to God and share your grieving heart with Him. He lost His only Son. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for friends and family you bring then take away. Death stings so help prepare my heart to deal with it and comfort others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for a tribute song to my friend Elaine Manning. 1955-2024

Casting Crowns - Scars in Heaven (Official Lyric Video) youtu.be

Milestone: Today marks my 5000th devotion. To God be the glory. 

Raising Your Arms and Hands To The Lord

 He Must increase but I must decrease. John 3:30

To surrender to Christ is to forget self and be concentrating solely on your Savior Jesus Christ. I love praise and worship songs where you can lift your hands to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords not worrying what others think.

Being God conscious not self conscious is what I heard Elevation Worship pastor Steven Furtick call it. Do you have times in church where you want to throw your arms up but are scared? Scared of what? Just do it.

Maybe your denomination doesn’t practice that, well guess what? You can do it anyway if you feel led by the Spirit and not the flesh. Maybe if worship doesn’t excite you it is time to find a church home where the name of Jesus is lifted high.

Worship is you and God period not those around you. I have included a song of praise and worship. You can lift your arms while listening. Be blessed to be a blessing.

PRAYER: Lord I need to die to self and be more aware of your presence guiding me daily. Help me cast off any works of the flesh and worship you and you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link and worship the Lord:

https://youtu.be/r5L6QlAH3L4?si=vBqZmWPbVRcOyHyN

Happy 248th Birthday America!

 

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.1 Peter 2:16

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on this day and thus began a new nation founded on principles of freedom and built on Biblical values and justice for all. Brave Europeans sailed here away from British rule and tyranny to start a new nation. 

Today if you were born on this soil you had the history lessons and never take what you have for granted. Freedom can easily be lost. Brave men and woman fought many wars at a huge cost of lives to secure this land for us. 

Don’t slip into a stupor but stay vigilant and alert because look what happened in Germany to the Jews. We are a unique nation men and women emigrate from legally so they can enjoy what we have. Take time today amidst the cookouts, boating and camping and fireworks to truly say God Bless America.  

PRAYER: Thanks for those who gave their lives so we could enjoy freedom on this day. And thanks for our Founding Fathers 

who had great foresight to establish this country. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for song of freedom:

2001 WS Gm4: Lee Greenwood sings "God Bless the USA" youtu.be

Sounds Of Silence

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.Proverbs 17:28 NIV Bible gateway 

Do you like silence, peace, and solitude or do you have to have the clamor of television or music blaring constantly?Silence is good. 

Some silence though is disheartening and sad and that is when you have not heard from a loved one in quite sometime. For those in jail it probably is tough. I imagine people in nursing homes hate silence unless they have visitors pouring in. On the Defy series ‘Alone’ the 10 contestants stuck by themselves in Patagonia or Vancouver Island get tired of the loneliness. 

Also silence when with people can be okay by just enjoying their companionship. Don’t be a chattering fool(Proverbs 10:8)in other words. Be still. In quietness and confidence is your strength(Isaiah 30:15). Now go ponder the types of silence. 

PRAYER: Lord help me know when to speak and when to be quiet. Show me a person who needs someone to talk to. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#BG2

Don't Dig Up The Key

 

"Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!"Psalm 141:3

I frequently make a gesture like I am zipping my lip then toss key behind my back meaning locking my lips and not speaking. This is usually when I reminding myself to not interfere in my adult children's lives. I imagine this is more difficult task for women than men.

Anyway once that ‘key is tossed’ don’t go scrounging around and dig it up again. Try to be still. Say your prayers and wait on God.

Waiting is hard. Let God work. What are you waiting for right now my friend?

PRAYER: Lord you teach many lessons in my life through problems and trials. Help me not jump in and try to do things different. I ask you keep me drawn close to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Alone Yet Not Really Alone

“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:32-33 NIV Bible Gateway 

Sometimes it is okay to take a break and do nothing. If you’re a mom with toddlers or young children it might be harder to orchestrate but point being it is even good for children to learn the value or resting and stillness. 

As I write this I am relaxing, not following my to do list, next to a fountain. I am under a shade tree. It is a mild 70 degree day. I am observing antics of birds flying here and there.  I was pondering the people in the Big Apple needing to escape to Central Park to get away from the concrete jungle and noise. 

When you are alone God is always with you. Enjoy some peace without clamoring for Facebook updates. Sit, pray, be still, relax. Don’t worry what others think or who is looking at you because probable no one is. Just chill and thank God for moments of solitude. 

PRAYER: Lord to you I lift up praises of Thanksgiving for life, for blessings, for family, for friends, for a time of relaxation. Help me seek joy in every situation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.