Pearl Harbor Day - Never Forget

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17).

The military families on the island of Oahu were enjoying a quiet Sunday morning on 7 December 1941 when a surprise attack on our Naval fleet at Pearl Harbor Naval Base occurred. Later it permeated the entire military structure on the island.

No one there was thinking of what to buy for Christmas anymore or if they would get to the mainland to see family. Chapel services on base obviously were cancelled. A day that would live in infamy.

What we have in the US is special and this is a day to remember the Greatest Generation who paid the ultimate price to keep us free. Freedom is never something to take for granted. God has blessed us.

Today many younger people who have never experienced the tragedies of war probably see this as just another day and don’t realize the magnitude of what occurred on that fateful day. Stop today and think about what freedom truly means. And there are a few World War II vets still alive so if you see one say thanks.

PRAYER: Thanks Father for your daily protection and may I never take for granted any of the freedoms I enjoy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Potter’s Wheel

But now, O Lord, You are our Father,
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hand.
Isaiah 64:8

References are made in the Bible to God bring the potter and you are the clay. God molds you into what he wants you to become. 

You are not the potter for the people in your life you have bringing praying for. Only the Holy Spirit will bring transformation and change so stop putting those people on your wheel because it is not your job to change them.

When you realize that God is the Master Potter perhaps you can relax a bit more and trust him to take care of those you have been trying to change on your own. 

PRAYER:Lord give me the ability to be still while you work. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Patience-Just Do It

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV Bible Gateway 

Patience is a fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 in the New Testament. I have heard don’t pray for patience or God will send a test your way to help develop patience. 

Patience is especially important for waiting on the answer to prayer. It isn’t easy but it is necessary. 

Keep looking straight ahead and know that nothing good normally happens instantly. 

PRAYER: Father I need help being able to be still and stand firm as I develop stronger patience muscles. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Find Out

 

O for the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out. Romans 11:33

This was the latest Vanity tag I saw here in Idaho and once again a devotion idea. 
I have a vanity tag with a Bible verse on it so I always like to try to figure out why the owner chose what he or she did. 

This tag could be that the driver wanted someone to ask “find out what” and maybe if a believer they could share about Jesus changing their life. 

No one really knows the mind of the Lord but you can get to know Him better by regularly committing to daily Bible reading. Why not commit to finding out more about Jesus and how to make Him part of your life. 

PRAYER: Help me to always remain curious about things in the Bible. I want to know more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Christmas Is Coming

 

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, 

and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, 

full of grace and truth.    John 1:14 NKJV

Christmas is an extremely special time when we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child. Many other ‘trappings’ of the season occur but the real focus is not on Santa, Christmas office parties, eating too much, but on a miracle baby born to a virgin in a stable. 

Christmas can be difficult for those who recently lost a loved one but rejoice because all those who believe will spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus. Christmas is about a baby who became King. 

Don’t get yourself in a tizzy over shopping, the perfect gift, running all over trying to spread joy and make everyone happy but try to stop and ponder what this season truly means. 

PRAYER: I am so thankful for Christmas and for the joy of this season. Help me not focus on gifts but on your gift to us. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

24 Days And Counting

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."(Isaiah 9:6)

Is Christmas your favorite holiday? Is your focus more on Red and Green, tinsel, lights, and gifts or on the baby Jesus in a manger? 

Many people live to shop and love to shop. I am not one of those although I love giving presents all through the year as that is my love language. There are many ways to not focus on yourself this time of year and several ministries that have opportunities to share with others throughout the world. 

Try to not get so caught up in sales, cyber Monday, movies and such that you don’t take time to relax and enjoy this season for what it is. Peace on Earth good will toward men and a savior being born in a lowly manger( feed trough) in a barn. Don’t feel obligated to do every Christmas event but take time to be still. 

PRAYER: There have been times I don’t look forward to this holiday mainly due to secular worldly trappings. Touch people’s hearts Lord to see beyond the trappings and be set  free by a babe in a manger.In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Hurting People Hurt People

 

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.Romans 12:19 NIV Bible Gateway

Have you ever had a former friend say they no longer want or need you as a friend? I have and ouch. Anyway give thanks for friends you do have and be careful to not be blindsided by erratic behavior that backfires and blames you as the instigator.

Spiritual warfare is at the heart of all discontent, anger, bitterness, fighting, confusion, and so forth. The late comedian Flip Wilson used to laughingly say “The Devil made me do it” and in fact that big joke was partially correct.

Your enemy is not flesh and blood not saying you don’t have some part by not thinking before you speak or text but the enemy really causing division ultimately is Satan trying to bring discord and division. Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Whatever you are dealing with give thanks for the blessing of friends and family and pray for your enemies don’t hate them.

PRAYER: Today Lord I want my light to shine and I want to glorify you in all I say and do. Help me not lash out when someone hurts me but be still. In Jesus’ name. Amen.