DISCIPLINES FOR 2012

We are now into the 3rd day of 2012. Parades are over and many are headed back to work after a long break. Time to get going and back to normal again as the saying goes. In your list of New Years resolutions did you include being disciplined? As mentioned in a previous devotion, many include weight loss on list of things to do for the new year but many do not follow through. Sounds doable but then when the 'rubber meets the road' the dedication and discipline are just not there. What do you do about that? First you make up your mind just how important being in shape and being healthy is. You can do something if it is really important enough to you but it takes Discipline. There is that nasty little word again. For those of us who have served in the military we know what discipline is, but a normal civilian can acquire this valuable trait as well with some dedication, desire and hard work.

Discipline is required to get up in the morning. Discipline is required to not spout off to people when you feel like saying something ugly. Discipline is required when completing your housework so you do not just go lay down somewhere and leave your home dirty. Discipline is required in looking for a job. You just can not give up. Discipline is required in getting an education. Sometimes things in life are hard and you have to stick with it to gain the reward. A doctor works hard in school for years before gaining the title 'medical doctor' which he can wear with pride. For marathon runners much discipline is needed to keep going when their body hurts and they feel like giving up.

The most important discipline you should be working on in 2012 is that of putting God first. I mean really first!! Not praying "Oh Lord I want you first in my life" then expecting a magic wand to be waved over you and 'voila', you are more spiritual. No, what is required is getting up and setting aside time to be alone with Jesus. Before the day is cluttered with all of its' busy activities make sure you put God in there. Pencil Him in on your 'to do' list and do not leave Him as an after thought. How many well meaning Christians do their Sunday thing going off to church and possibly Sunday school then the entire week goes by and the Bible is not picked up one single time? Does this describe you? When this happens you are giving the Devil a foothold and a grand opportunity to come into your mind and get you to believe lies and get you depressed and agitated. You must stay connected to the word of God and do it regularly.

Is reading the Bible important to you? I am not talking about getting on some rote plan where you read the Bible through in a year but really you were just reading and it did nothing for you. I am referring to studying God's word daily and applying it to your everyday life. You need Jesus every day so you can live victoriously above the junk our culture throws at you. 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." Colossians 2:8 says "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." You can study the world's ways or you can study God's ways. It is your choice.

What is more important to you watching the nightly news to 'stay informed' or reading God's word to 'stay informed'? Think about that one for a while.  1 John 2:17 says "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

Do you want to be spiritually disciplined in 2012? Start now with a plan to get up daily and pray and read God's word. Do not start making excuses for why you can't. Start with a simple reading plan. Take whatever day it is today say the 3rd and read Psalm 3 and Proverbs 3 to start. Proverbs has 31 chapters so that is a perfect book to get started on at the first of each month. Make God a priority in 2012.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I am committed to being better disciplined in 2012 in getting into the word of God. I know the only way to combat the enemies lies is to quote the word of God. I desire to know your word better and let it guide my life. Help me to resist making excuses as I seek to get closer to you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Note: To help you on your spiritual journey I have included a link to a wonderful praise and worship song. Click on link and praise God!
http://youtu.be/ODatqyzberM

IT'S 2012. TIME TO PUT THE PAST BEHIND YOU.

Time to move on and move forward. The 2nd day of 2012 is here. Has your list of resolutions been firmed up yet? Time to stop rehashing old problems and make up your mind to look forward and not backward. Looking back does not benefit anyone.This is a great opportunity to start fresh and new and get rid of 'weights' that were pressing down on you and keeping you from being all God wants you to be. You can not cling to the past and try to mull things over and over. You just have to let go and let God and what better time than a brand new year to get a brand new start! So as Nike says "Just Do It! "  What is in your way? Start now thinking on good things and positive things and allowing God to have control of your thoughts.

Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite verses and it is good to commit to memory. It says " Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

If things did not go so well in 2012 in whatever area of your life give that over to God right now and commit yourself to daily getting up and praying and to keep praying. When you feel yourself going into a slump or pit cry out to God, "I need you Lord!" God is only a shout out away. Jeremiah 33:3 often called God's phone number says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." God is there waiting for you to cry out to Him.

Look forward to 2012 with great anticipation for the new things God will do in your life. Give him your heart today if you have not already. Start looking forward and not dreading things in your life. God can restore the years to you the enemy has taken away.

PRAYER:Thank you Lord for a brand new year with new hopes and new dreams. Thank  you for what you will do in my life this year. Thank you for loving me even when I have acted not so kind and loving. I purpose in my heart in 2012 to let you be Lord of my life and keep my focus ahead and not behind. In Jesus Name. Amen.

NEW YEAR MEANS NEW BEGINNINGS

Welcome to 2012. Where did the past year go? Now, tomorrow after the parades and football games are over,  which help to usher in the New Year here in America, we get ready for new challenges. Time to sit down and make those resolutions. Or perhaps just a list of things you would like to try to achieve in the coming year is better and less threatening than a resolution. I make a goal list as I call it. What do you hope to achieve this year? Do you have a dream you want fulfilled? Mine  personally is to get busy on a manuscript of God's Lemonade Stand and to stop putting it off. The New Year is an excellent time to start anew, so to speak. You can learn from your mistakes or shortcomings and charge on into a brand new year with brand new ideas. You sit back and regroup and think what you want to do differently or what new thing you want to try. Scuba diving, skydiving, college class, new hobby, new skill, marathon, deep sea fishing trip? You get the idea. It is fun to have this time once a year to rethink things.

Why not start 2012 out on the right foot by pursuing God full force if you have not already? Is God a hobby or is loving Jesus a lifestyle? This new year is a time for a spiritual renewal. Each time the new year rolls around one of the most popular resolutions is to lose weight and get in shape. For many the exercise equipment or gym membership goes unused because it sounded good but there was no serious commitment to it. Maybe it is time for a spiritual workout and to be truly committed to following Jesus.

Purpose in your heart to make this the year you get closer to God. Does that mean getting up a little earlier to have devotions or read the Bible? Perhaps so. Or maybe it means changing what you do when home meaning turn off the television and open the Bible. Maybe you need to stop reading movie star magazines and read the Bible? The enemy will get you distracted and make you feel reading the Bible is boring. Find a church where God's word is alive and you feel excited about wanting to go each week. Maybe this means changing churches. Just cause your momma and her momma and her momma before that went to a certain church does not mean it is the right one for you. Go where you can grow in Christ and get excited about loving Jesus.

Isaiah 43:19 says "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland". Many of us do need a new outlook on life and a new 'thing' when it comes to getting closer to the Lord. Staying busy in church activities does not mean you know and love the Lord. Ask yourself today where your heart is and if you have ever truly asked Jesus to be Lord of your life. If you have not, why not stop right now and ask Him into your heart. Maybe this is the year to decide to get into that Bible study or find a church to attend.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Jesus wants to be Lord of your life .Why not start off 2012 with the sincere resolution to make not just physical fitness your goal but spiritual fitness as well?

Revelation 3:20 says "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

PRAYER: Lord I want to be closer to you and reorganize my life so I am not always putting you last in my day or not at all. Forgive me for that. I know Satan is a major stumbling block and will keep me from reading the word. Forgive me. I purpose in 2012 to put you first place in my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link below and start off the New Year with a wonderful praise and worship song.
http://youtu.be/qqHxC7cIOtk

OUT WITH THE OLD. LET GO OF THE PAST!

The final day of 2011 is finally here. It is time to think about what things you want to do differently or set new goals for yourself. It is always a time to do things differently if you have messed up or just want to set a new goal in life. Perhaps it is a time of new exciting beginnings if you are getting married or have a newborn baby. Maybe a new job is on the horizon. Whatever the reason, it is nice that God allows us to have this fresh start once every 365 days. God does give us new beginnings, which is nice. He does not hold mistakes over our heads. He is a loving and forgiving God and a God of second chances.

What does the Bible have to say about looking back and forgetting the past? Philippians 3:13 says "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." Luke 9:62 says "Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Deuteronomy 4:29 says "But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Run your race to win and keep your eyes on Jesus. Do not look back. It is over and can not be changed. Think on new happy things ahead on the horizon.

We can look forward to new things in 2012 with great anticipation. For our family, it is a upcoming wedding date. For all of us I am sure there are milestones and things on the horizon for you that are exciting. What do you plan to do with the days ahead?  Live one day at a time, of course, as we are never promised tomorrow. But look forward to each day as a gift from God.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for another day of life. I thank you for new starts in life. I thank you for a brand new year. I thank you for friends and family and the gift of Love. I ask you to make me a light in someones life who could use a little cheer in 2012. In Jesus Name. Amen.

GIVING CAUSE YOU WANT TO( NOT JUST FOR THE YEAR END TAX BREAK)

 
The end of the  year is fast approaching as are the final few  days to mail a year end donation to a  favorite charity, ministry  or religious organization. Usually at this time of year your mailbox is filled with last minute pleas to get that valuable year end tax deduction. Of course this is the wise thing to do to help out at tax time on April 15th but we should be giving out of the generosity of our hearts to something we have a passion for and not simply because we can write it off at the end of the year.
 
Where is your heart today? Do you have a love of giving and sharing what God has blessed you with? It is His money anyway you know and we simply are to be good stewards of it (think of that when you gamble or play the lottery). He gave you the talents and skills you need in life to be able to earn an income. All we have is His so why keep it all for yourself? You should want to give. There is talk circulating now in the US about the government wanting to 'redistribute' the wealth of those who are fortunate to those who are less fortunate. This is a sort of Robin Hood mentality or class warfare. That is the wrong thing to do as people deserve to keep the money they work hard for and they should be able to choose who to give that money to. Our country currently allows us that precious freedom. The government does not own our money although they would certainly like to. But it is up to you to decide where you want to give your donations to and no one is forcing you, which is good. That is the way it should be. No one is telling you that you even have to if you want to be stingy it is your right. Welcome to America.
 
As a believer you should 'want' to give and share with others though. Tithing is mentioned in the Bible but also it speaks of being a cheerful giver and not out of compulsion. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Do you desire to give or do you hoard your wealth?
 
Luke 6:38 says "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Proverbs 19:17 says "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done". Deuteronomy 15:10 says "Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." Proverbs 3:27 says "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it." Deuteronomy 8:18 says "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today." Proverbs 11:24-25 says "There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered." So it is the principle of sowing and reaping in a way. You give and it is given back to you in your time of need. Proverbs 22:9 says "He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor."
 
This is a time of year more folks think of giving probably because of the year end campaign for donations by many groups. But before you give, pray and see what God would show you on how to give. Perhaps you have a worthy ministry such as Gideons for instance that could use your year end donation to help supply more Bibles in hospitals, military bases, or hotel rooms. Pray and ask God to make you a cheerful giver or as one version puts it , a 'hilarious' giver. Remember to take care of your local church first then to give above and beyond to Christian groups who may be ministering to you in a special way.
 
Malachi 3:10 says "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows."
 
PRAYER: Lord I realize what I have is really yours. I know there are many ministries who could use a donation this time of year to stay afloat. There are many missionary families who could use an added bonus for the end of the year.  You have blessed me beyond compare so help me to reach out and share what you have given me with those groups or people needing a helping hand at this time of year. Put on my heart a group that needs a donation. I know there are many worthy ministries so guide me to one or several who could use a helping hand. Help me though be faithful with my giving throughout the year and not wait til the end of the year when people are pleading for donations. In Jesus Name. Amen.
 
I have included links to several worthy ministries in case you need an idea who to give a donation to. There are many more than this but these are some that come to mind.
www.momsintouch.org
www.gideons.org
www.uso.org (not a Christian ministry but worthy service member organization)
www.samaritanspurse.org
www.ecfa.org is a group that monitors Christian ministries for the ethical use of their monies .
www.focusonthefamily.com
www.salvationarmy.org
www.nationaldayofprayer.org
www.cmf.com which ministers to those those in the Armed Forces
I am simply providing you a list of ideas. There are many, many more fine ministries which I am sure you know of as well. Be blessed to be a blessing .
Disclaimer: These are not necessarily the best but only ideas for those who need an idea.



 
 
 

THE GRIEVING SPIRIT

Today I changed my original topic I had planned in order to honor one of my dear college friends and sorority sister Jill whose husband died unexpectedly Christmas Eve at the age of 58. This is a memorial to him, Billy, and hopefully will help others grieving a recent loss of a loved one or a continuing grief or wound that will not heal. Billy's earthly pain is gone and any suffering he had on Earth and in heaven he is promised 'no more tears, no more pain, and a heavenly body.' His children and wife hurt right now in a big way. Words will not really help them now, but the love,prayers and support of friends will ease their pain somewhat.

 Death is going to come for all of us. We can not escape it, but we never know when or what age. My younger son lost about 8 friends, 3 of which I knew, between the ages of 17 and his 26th birthday. The death of a child, baby, or young person is especially difficult. Death of anyone at any age is sad and leaves a gaping unexplained hole even though as people get up in years you expect it more. An aunt of mine also died on Christmas Eve this year and she was in her 90's and my husbands' mom died several years ago on Christmas Eve as well and she was well up in years. Still she is missed. My husband said she went home to celebrate Jesus birthday with him. Parents should never have to bury children, but it happens. By the way, God is not the one to blame although many grieving people sure get angry at Him.

In the big scheme of things nothing else is important in the world when death knocks on your door. You realize your priorities and they may change. Funerals even bring people together at times as strange as that sounds. God can use all things bad or good in life for His ultimate purposes.

Hebrews 9:27 says " it is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgment." Ecclesiastes 3:2 tells us " there is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." 1 Corinthians 15:55 says "where oh death is your victory and where oh death is your sting?"

 I have known of cases where people go to doctor for something routine and something goes wrong. Do not blame the doctors. People always want someone to pin blame on a person to 'get back' at someone, be it God or a human. Sometimes things just happen and there is no explanation. Our time here on this earth is relatively short.James 4:14 says "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." Be sure to not let a day go by where you do not tell your spouse you love them  and stop the quarrels and learn to forgive. Try to forgive those who hurt you as you may not get another chance. Life is indeed short. Too short to stay mad and hopeless. No one is promised tomorrow. We all will die be it from cancer, accidents, old age, natural causes, illness, or however. It is unavoidable. Do not sit and worry about it but live life to the fullest and make sure you know Jesus as your savior so you can spend eternity with Him.

One of my favorite Bible verses concerning death does not come from the traditional Psalm 23 you hear read at funerals but it is found in Psalm 116:15 and it says "Precious in the site of the Lord is the death of his saints". Maybe someone deeply grieving is not ready to give up their loved one but God calls it precious. Give God your grief and pain. Jesus suffered the ultimate death on the cross but rose again. Those who die in Christ we will see again in God's heavenly kingdom. Death is not the end.

We will all go to a final resting place. If you know Jesus it is heaven. Isaiah 14:3 says "When the LORD has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve". It is time for rest from the work on earth. Do not dread it but embrace it as your reward for a life well served. Death is not fun for those left behind grieving so we need to stay close to God and believe in the promise of seeing our loved ones again in glory. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have EVERLASTING life."

Pray for this family today as they lay Billy to rest. One day we will be reunited in heaven.

PRAYER: Do you know if the Lord called you home today you are ready to meet Him? I did not say " are you baptized or are you a church member" but have you asked Jesus to be Lord of your life? We do not know the day nor hour He will return to take us home. Do not be mad at Him. He uses all things for ultimate good. Do not use that verse in Romans 8:28 to comfort any one with a loss, at least not now. Lord help me reach out to those who grieve and just be their friend and pray for them. Give me a heart of compassion for those hurting. Give me the right words to say. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on the link below to listen to a comforting song.
http://youtu.be/MN59zfhAjnI

 NOTE:May I heartily  recommend a  book by my friend Kathe Wunnenburg who has experienced the death of children. It is called 'Grieving the Loss of a Loved One'. Check Amazon to order it.

Also the book entitled 'A Twentieth Century Miracle' by Jerry Parrick which is now out of print is a true account about a man who died and came back to life only to serve the Lord. My grandma had me read it years ago.

STAY JOYFUL ALL THROUGH THE YEAR

One of tendencies we have after the Christmas hoopla is behind us, is to start feeling let down and sad. All the merriment is over and presents unwrapped and in many cases family who had come from out of town for this special day are going back home if they are not already there. So back to normal we go. Back to reality as the saying goes. You must keep a positive attitude and keep focusing on good. Anytime there has been fun and family around sometimes it takes time to regroup. Just last week I had this experience after returning from visiting my son and his fiancee and it is back to normal after saying our goodbyes. You must make an effort to keep Jesus joy alive in your heart year round. Stay focused on positive things and keep looking up.

Joy does not have to be dependent upon circumstances. Joy does not have to be dependent upon another individual. Do not allow another person to rob your joy and get you to feel gloomy. Stay above that. Stay focused on God. Nehemiah 8:10 says " The joy of the Lord is your strength". In Psalm 32:11 it says "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous, and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Do not let the devil try to drag you down into a pit of gloom, self pity and despair. The enemy is a master of getting you to feel down in the dumps. Resist the urge to do that and say out loud "The Joy of The Lord is My Strength".

PRAYER: Father in heaven I want the kind of joy only you can give. Nothing the world gives provides everlasting eternal joy. Only through you can we experience joy unspeakable and full of glory. Thank you for the joy only you can bring. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link below to enjoy a modern rendition of Joy To the World sung by artist Chris Tomlin. Be blessed.
http://youtu.be/NLhb3qUA3uc