Favor, Blessing, Not Luck

 

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.Proverbs 3:3-4

I bristle when I hear the word luck. Luck is chance or random events and I choose to instead lean toward God’s favor or blessing. 

For instance someone might say you were sure lucky to be bumped to first class. I would respond it was the favor of God. The word luck itself is not inherently bad but it impliesa gamble of sorts. As a believer I choose to think a person receives blessings. 

Oh Becky that is so ridiculous after all there is a children’s animated feature entitled Luck released in 2022 where this girl’s luck is always bad. I would encourage parents try to say things more positive such as “You sure are blessed!” Sure it is a cute little movie what harm can be done? Our children and grandchildren’s minds are being shaped by this culture so why not try to counter attack culture with God blessing them? 

PRAYER: Father it isn’t luck that has gotten me to where I am. It is the hand of God, I know that. Help any one who doubts start practicing saying blessed instead of lucky. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Is God’s Love Visible In Your Life?

For the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. In the contrary they have power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

I walk into a coffee shop and see a male barista with black fingernails. Maybe at the Y in Zumba I  encounter a young lady fully tattooed full of piercings. Perhaps it is a raging leftist at a pro life rally up in my face screaming.

I don’t know what you encounter day to day but God wants us to love and not judge. You win people to the Lord by being kind. You speak the truth in love.

Today there is the mentality in the culture if you don’t completely accept someone then you hate them. That is a lie being perpetrated by the enemy and also splitting many families. Press on and show love and pray for open doors to speak truth.

PRAYER: Today father I choose to smile and be kind. I choose to ignore hurts and wrongs and focus on bringing glory to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t Argue Your Point

Do everything without complaining and arguing. Philippians 2:14

In this atmosphere of political and social unrest it may be easy to give someone a piece of your mind mostly through social media. Don’t do it my friend. Arguing won’t change anything except getting you angry. Chill. What does it matter anyway?

A Christian should be loving, kind, and humble. You can agree to disagree then move on. Families and friends have split over debates over proving a point and you know who is happy? Satan. 

Instead of feuding stand still and pray. God is the victor of all things in the end. 

PRAYER: Father the only person I want to please is you Lord so help me be still when humanly I feel like arguing. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Greatest Transformer

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!2Corinthians 5:17

Children seem to go for transformer toys and movies and even back when my sons were children they had McDonalds transformer toys resembling a hamburger or fries in Happy meals. I kept them.

Do you realize who the greatest transformer of all time is? His name is Jesus Christ. Men mock him. The Olympic Games spit in His face. Throughout time evil people and judges have tried to legislate him out of existence making their own rules to overrule the Bible. Dangerous territory my friend.

The greatest transformation of all is when a person repents and accepts Jesus as Lord and desires to live for Him unashamedly. Have you made that decision to allow Christ to transform you? You might say but I was baptized as a baby, or I was confirmed, or I am such and such a denomination and always attended church. That’s good but have you made Jesus Lord of your life? Ponder that.

PRAYER: Today I thank you for the word of God that I yearn for daily. I pray for any people who don’t hunger for your truth. I pray for ministers, priests, and rabbi’s not sharing the gospel to start doing it with a Holy Passion. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Legacy Of Laughter

 

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Recently there was a special on TV about the late comedian Bob Newhart entitled what my title is. What will you be remembered for? Laughter, complaining, stirring the pot politically and angering people, being a godly person who thinks of others first?

Everyone wants to leave a good legacy. You do the best you can to make your imprint on your family and your world. If you can laugh while you are enjoying life it helps lift spirits.

Laughter is indeed a gift that helps heal, bring joy, lift spirits, and so much more. A good sense of humor is a terrific asset in life. Grumpy people don’t make friends well. Do your best to let your legacy be one of a joyful spirit.

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for helping me laugh when I would rather cry. Thanks for using me to help others laugh. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

They Know Not What They Do

 

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up His garments by casting lots.Luke 23:34

There was Jesus being beaten to a pulp bloodied beyond recognition drug through the streets yet as He says to God His Father to forgive them. He is being brutally beat up yet asks God forgive them. Wow. 

Some people today appear to not know what they are doing either. When you see sin on display but yet turn your head what does that say to others? You point a finger at others three are pointed back at you but it is necessary to not become numb to the crumbling of our Christian society. 

Speak up against evil whenever you have a chance whether in the public square, the school house, and yes maybe even in church. Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking who he will destroy it says in 1 Peter 5:8. Don’t let this happen on your watch. Stand firm. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord. Everyone needs you they just don’t know it. Even people who once cried out to you now have turned their back on you. Help those blinded by Satan have their eyes opened again. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Satan Has Snatched The Word From Many

 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts so that they may not believe and be saved. Luke 8:12

A person would have to have a pretty seared hardened heart to not recognize some things as evil. Certain things just aren’t right. Even deep down many of those participating in evil practices know what is right and wrong but they are sort of caught in demonic quick sand.

God’s agenda will one day rise above the evil and wickedness in our world today. When drag queens put on a display mocking the Lord’s Supper which was an immoral display on international TV during the Olympic Opening Ceremony and shortly after the lights went out in Paris. Coincidence?

The culture has been indoctrinated to accept much of the sin we are seeing. Sinners can be set free. The enemy has lied about God’s creation being male and female. Sadly society has been gullible and believes this nonsense. God is not happy but He is patient for a time not wanting any to perish. Where is your heart today? Are you confused? Talk to God and cry out for healing for our world.

PRAYER: Help me Lord pray, vote, speak words of faith, and to guard my heart so I am not deceived. In Jesus’ name. Amen.