Ask, Seek, Knock

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.Matthew 7:7-8 NIV Bible Gateway

Are you seeking after God? How? Something to ponder. 

Have you knocked and has God opened. If you do knock God will come in. Many people are too busy with the things of this world to bother seeking God. I have been guilty of it.

You were created by God for a purpose. You are not an accident. You are not a clump of meaningless cells. Why not call out to God today and ask Him to take control of your life. 

PRAYER: Lord I need you in my life and I ask you help me order my days’ activities to not let time with you slip by. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Work As If For The Lord

 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Colossians 3:23

I missed the opportunity this past Monday to write a Labor Day devotion so am back paddling now to do so. Another local devotion writer friend had an excellent one. 

There are many scriptures about working in the Bible. The first one I can recall is when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden and their punishment was that they would have to work the land. This means pulling weeds, digging, planting and so forth. No walk in the cool garden any more for them or for those after them. 

2 Thessalonians 3:10 says if a man doesn’t work he won’t eat sort of shining the light on handouts. Work is important. No where in the Bible does it mention retiring and resting from your labors. If you have a job be thankful as many don’t and would like to. Do a word study on the word work and labor on the Bible. Now go enjoy your day. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for the gift of employment for those who have it. Thanks that you provide just what I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a video by Drive thru History about Labor Day

https://youtu.be/n2IxchiVdS0

God Are You There?

“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

I don’t know what you are going through but you may be in a tough situation and you just want to quit everything. We’ve all been there when you listen to the wrong voices that try to make you feel hopeless and worthless. 

My friend you are important to God. I wrote this to help myself remember that too. Whatever it is you need from God talk to Him. Often times when you are in the middle of waiting you just want to throw in the towel. 

Perhaps you have been misunderstood or hurt someone but never intended to. You give it to God and wait. God is faithful that I do know. 

PRAYER: Father guard my heart so I don’t allow it to cave to fear and worry. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Help Me Not Be Judgmental

“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself”. Romans 2:1

Have you been told by anyone you are judgmental? If you have it does hurt you emotionally. A person doesn’t set out to be judging others but innocent things pop out of your mouth and you find yourself defensive trying to prove you aren’t that bad. 

Bite your tongue everytime an unfavorable comment starts to come out of your mouth. Your past can cause some of this but you can’t continually blame things on that. 

I know it is hard to try to be perfect but your standard should be God. Without appearing holier than thou seek to emulate good character and produce good fruit in your life. If you messed up go talk to the person who thinks you are that way and ask them to help you not be. 

PRAYER: Father God I want to emulate you in all things to include passing judgment on another. I pray anyone who thinks I judged will open the door of their heart to me again. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stay On The Vine

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

For fruit to grow it has to stay attached to the tree or vine. The root system of other plants has to be nourished sufficiently to help sustain growth. 

Similarly a follower of Christ has to stay connected or attached to the vine which is Jesus and get nourished by His food the word of God and if not you will stagnate and start believing lies of the enemy. 

Stay connected to the ‘vine’ in order to stay strong and grow in Christ. 

PRAYER: Father I seek your face continually and help me to continue to pray for those I know who do not. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

When You Feel Like You Don’t Know Where To Turn

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” Hebrews 10:33-34

In life do you ever wish you had a giant eraser and could start all over knowing things you do now? 

All of us have something going on and can relate when they know others do too. You need a trusted friend to talk to and pray with. 

Whatever it is that has you burdened and distressed give it to God. Don’t hide in a cave even though you may feel like it. 

Trust God with whatever it is keep talking to Him in prayer and never give up. 

PRAYER: I pray for all those whose hearts are weary today. Help them keep their eyes on the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Is Your Faith Being Tested?

Count it all joy, my brothers,[when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.James 1:2-4 ESV Bible Gateway

Since 2020 and COVID shutdowns life has been different, relationships have been strained. Here in 2025 we are coming out of it but the enemy is still pushing buttons trying to incite division and he uses politics too. 

When you go through junk and estrangement occurs with a family member all you can do is pray and wait. I know several people being tested now in this way. It is confusing and it is hurtful. 

The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy it says in John 10:10 and in fact that is exactly what has occurred in these last five years. My friend be a prisoner of hope or in other words know that God hears your prayers and is at work. Be still. Don’t react but pray. 

PRAYER: Father keep my heart still during confusing times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.