ANGER? GIVE IT TO GOD!

Is something eating on you that you can not seem to let go of? In starting this new year out if you are harboring something in your heart against someone why not give it to God once and for all and attempt to make 2013 a year of new beginnings?

The Bible says in James 1:20(NIV) that 'the anger of man does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.'  Almost everyone gets angry but it is learning how to control that anger or to diffuse it altogether that is vitally important. If someone has hurt you, sometimes they may not even be aware of it, so you have the choice to just let it go or let it fester and tear you up inside. How can you be effective for the body of Christ  and shine the light and love of Jesus when you hold grudges or bitterness against someone? 

You must be consistent in pursuit of peace. In Psalm 34:14(NIV) we are told 'Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.'  To pursue means to continually go after without stopping. Make it a goal of life to be peaceful. In speaking with others it says in Proverbs 16:1(NIV) that 'a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.' 

There may be people in your life who "push your buttons" so to speak. To continue to try to win a war of words is useless or to try to prove you are right. Just drop it! Be the bigger person. Sometimes it drives people nuts when you do not argue back. 

A real challenge for you is to not go to bed angry. Try to give up what it is that is making you mad. Good time to pray and read the word of God. Ephesians 4:26( NIV) reminds us 'in your anger do not sin and do not let the singe down while you are still angry.'  

There you have it. A new challenge for 2013 to stay upbeat and try to let your anger go. Try praying instead.

PRAYER:Lord,  I know anger is a normal emotion. Help me learn to control my anger if things start to upset and agitate me. I know I can not be a good witness if I am all tense inside and holding bitterness in my heart. Forgive me Lord. I choose to pursue peace and forgiveness in 2013. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

FORGETTING AN OFFENSE

Has something occurred in your life you can not seem to let go of and
it is driving a wedge of hurt or anger towards the offender? Maybe it
is a friend,a spouse, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, a family member, or a
co worker? Perhaps you think they were heartless and cruel and you

deserve to feel the way you do, but does harboring this anger or ill

feeling towards someone get you anywhere? The answer is NO!

So what do you do about it when you feel left out, hurt, betrayed, or
forgotten? Do you "pick the scab" so to speak causing you to feel
anger and be offended even more or do you do what God would want and
turn the other cheek and let it go? Maybe you have already said
something to the person or someone else and wish you had not. It is

never too late to start again and mend your heart and the

relationship. Maybe the other person is not even aware that they hurt

or offended you. It is always a good time to try again.

Taking offense against others is not a God given thing. This is not a
trait you should want to possess. It is easy to become offended and
consequently bitter as a result, when focused on yourself. Give up
your right to be angry or hostile. God does not want His children to
be bickering and having bad feelings about each other. Especially
married couples need to learn their spouses "love language" and need

to be willing to say they messed up and ask forgiveness. If your

spouse is unaware he or she hurt you then just drop it and move on as
to not keep the offense alive. We are supposed to be God's children
and act like Christ. Harboring a bad attitude or a grudge has you

working on Satan's team,not God's! (Note:If it is something deeper in
a marriage perhaps counseling should be sought).

What do you do if you are caught up in this trap Satan likes to lay
for Christians? You know you cannot very well focus on your "love
walk" and getting closer to God if bad feelings exist. Ephesians
4:31(NIV) says to 'Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.' Try to let go
and let God do a work in your heart and life and do not always try to
win your battles.

PRAYER: Lord I love you and I do not want to break your heart by
harboring bad feelings in my heart towards those who might have hurt
me in some way. Help me start this new year making an effort with your
help to be different regardless of a situation around me. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A new year means a new start. What are your plans? Do you look forward
for the opportunity to try new things? Maybe you are fearful of the
future ahead? Usually a new year means a time for new hopes and new
dreams and second chances.

There have been times in past years I have attended what is called a
"New Years' Eve Watch Night" service which basically is a prayer and
praise fest to usher in another year. It is an opportunity to start it
off right by thanking God and keeping Him first.

When many think of the New Year they think of parades, parties,
football games and the start of school again. Why not make it a point
to purpose in your heart to make this New Year a great one no matter
what is transpiring around you? Stay hopeful. Stay encouraged. Stay
in the word of God.

When you are deciding what you will do different or making your list
of resolutions why not make spending time alone with God daily your
number one priority? Resolutions are made nearly every year to get
physically fit and lose weight. Why not get spiritually fit and lose
the weight of the enemy that is dragging you down the wrong road. You
can not expect to be a powerful Christian if you do not study and read
His word. So start 2013 by truly making Him after priority on your
resolution list.

'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they
shall be filled.' Matthew 5:6(NIV).

PRAYER: I am thankful for the start of a New Year which gives me a
chance to start over on things I have messed up on. Lord I truly want
you to be FIRST in 2013. When I start to let worries and fears
overwhelm me help me to remember to run to you for strength. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

END OF THE YEAR...NOW WHAT?

Y2K fears again? Dropping off the fiscal cliff? Takeover by an evil
government? War? Loss of job? Sickness? Death? What will we face in
2013?

Maybe instead of focusing on the "what ifs" why not start by thinking

of your life and what you can do differently in the coming year. What
goals do you have? Call them resolutions if you like, but what is it
you really plan to do or want to accomplish? Instead of worry and fear
why not start a tradition of a "praise fest" of sorts thanking God for
what He has done for you and your loved ones in 2012.

I for one and extremely blessed with a new daughter in law and am very
thankful to God for bringing a wonderful young lady into my younger
son Jon's life. Amber is a dear and so is her awesome family!! I am
thankful for my continuing furlough travel privileges for a few more
months on Delta that allow me to attend patriotic rallies in the
Nations' Capitol, Christian events in the US such as Joyce Meyer, and
to see family and friends across the US. I am thankful we get to see
our son Matthew lots because he is a First Officer with American Eagle
and has flown here a few times. I am thankful for getting to see my
mom and brother more in 2012 and that they and my sis, boyfriend and
family made it to the wedding. I am thankful for being married 35
years now to my wonderful husband. I truly love and appreciate all my
friends, new and old, near and far. All in all it has been a terrific
year. I could write much more but these are highlights.

In 2013 instead of listening to the news or reading the newspaper

and worrying, why not listen to Christian radio or a praise and

worship CD and start praising Jesus for all He has done for you. It is
easy to start fearing but you need to start praising God instead.

So what do you have to be thankful for? I am sure you can think of
something. Can you start 2013 tomorrow by deciding to pray daily, read
your Bible and truly trust God with things going on in this world of
ours.

Deuteronomy 31:6(NIV) says 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid
or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He
will never leave you nor forsake you.'

PRAYER: Dear Lord new year gives us a fresh start on things we maybe
want to accomplish. I want to trust you are working out all things for
my good. Forgive me when I get afraid and let Satan try to scare me. I
will start 2013 by running full force to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below and praise God on this final day of 2012.

http://youtu.be/0gm9nCQKWsA

LOOK TO GOD, NOT CIRCUMSTANCES

Oh, by the way, did you know  it's "fiscal cliff" time? Many, to
include myself, wonder what is going to happen here in these wonderful
United States of America. Some may be reading this from other
countries so this does not apply to you  but regardless of what is
going on, good or bad, in your life you are to look to God as the
source of your strength. You can not trust in princes and governments
and mere men. They can not save you. Money can not save you. Your
house or possessions can not save you. a title or position can not
save you. A degree from college can not save you. Only Jesus can save
you and rescue you. Some even who have asked Jesus into their hearts
may be especially fearful of what the government has planned for us in
the coming days. Some see it as intentional and others just say it is
part of what is going on. Once again if you fear a financial collapse
and takeover it could be very frightening. The Bible says in 1 Peter
5:7(NIV) to 'cast ALL your cares on HIM for He cares for you.' Do you
believe that because it is true?

Psalm 91:5(NLT) says 'You will not fear the terror of night, nor the
arrow that flies by day.'  Psalm 23:4(NIV) often saved for funerals
but good for all of life says 'Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your
rod and your staff, they comfort me.' Say this out loud. Go ahead
right now. Read that verse out loud.

Remember the story of Job in the Old Testament? Now there was a man
whose faith was tested. In Job 5:19(NIV) it says 'From six calamities
he will rescue you; in seven no harm will befall you.' Do you believe
if you have trusted in Jesus and given your heart to Him that he is
there to help you? He wants you to not worry. He is God. Don't you
think He is bigger than the problems man creates down here on earth?
Job 5:21(NIV) says 'You will be protected from the lash of the tongue,
and need not fear when destruction comes.' Let that sink into your
heart why don't you? God is not wanting you to live down here in
constant worry, distress, anger, and fear.

Psalm 20:7(NIV) says 'Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but
we trust in the name of the LORD our God.' Who is your trust in? What
is it you fear? Do you not know that fear comes from the enemy, Satan?
If Satan can get your eyes off of God by causing you constant turmoil
and concern then he is partly victorious. Do you want to make Satan
victorious? The answer I am sure is NO! Then start today and ask Jesus
into your heart if you have not done that already. Next allow Him to
control your thoughts. To do this you need to make it a habit daily to
get into the word of God and pray.

Your church can't save you. Baptism alone can not save you. Church
membership does not save you. Going to church on Christmas and Easter
do not save you. Only asking Jesus to take control and be Lord of your
life. Trust in Him then you will be able to confidently say 'I am not
afraid what MERE men can do unto me.' (Psalm 56:4).

PRAYER; Lord Jesus when things are out of control around us we need to
trust you. But we should not wait til this happens. We should run to
you all the time. Many run to you only when they fear a tragedy.
Forgive me Lord if I have done this. I know you have a plan for my
life and I know you control the universe. Help me learn to relax and
enjoy peace in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Be blessed by  the following song of comfort:

http://youtu.be/MvpjxfWrjzY

CITIZENS OF WHERE?

Many reading this when asked where you are a citizen of would  reply

by saying the country they live in currently. As a believer the place

on earth we live is only a temporary home for us. We are here as

ambassadors or representatives for Christ.

Think about the job of an ambassador. It is to represent his or her

country in an excellent manner in a foreign country. Are you a good

ambassador for Jesus where He has placed you on His earth? Are the

things you do daily bringing glory to His name or embarrassment?

Philippians 3:20(NIV) says 'But our citizenship is in heaven and we

eagerly await a Savior from there.' Ephesians 2:19(NIV) also says

'Consequently you are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow

citizens with God's people and members of God's household.'  Isn't

that comforting to know?

Remember if your name the name of Jesus and claim to be His follower

your job is to shine the light of Jesus in the world around you. Go

out now and brighten the world around you. Where others are down help

lift them up. Remember in Philippians 4:13(NIV) it says ' I can do all

things through Christ who gives me strength.'

PRAYER: Lord I take my job seriously as a representative of the

heavenly kingdom. Forgive me when I forget that I am representing  you

and start to "act up" and do not shine your light. Every day I need

your help. I thank you for being there for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below and praise God in song:(You have got to listen to this one!)

http://youtu.be/mkEQGYApkVU

JEALOUS? HURT? SAD? BITTER?

 

These emotions do not originate with God but most of us at one time or another had experienced them. Many times the "flesh" gets in the way of Gods' blessings to us. If you tend to focus on things on "this earth" more than the things of God then it is easier to let your emotions get out of control.

It is a good thing to remember that God is our best friend and He cares about things in your life you are going through. If a friend has disappointed you God is there to pick you up. When you experience various losses in life, once again, God is the answer. Envious of others possessions, talents, or money then tell that to God and ask Him to help deliver you from that.

All the emotions listed in the title above definitely are not given by God. Satan, the great liar, destroyer, and deceiver, loves to come against us and get us angry, depressed, in despair, jealous of others, or allow us to experience hurt feelings. Making a conscious effort to think on things "above" is one of the greatest cures for these negative emotions. Christ unites and Satan divides.

Colossians 3:2(NIV) reminds us to 'set your mind on things above not on earthly things.' to set your mind it is necessary to get into the word of God. Do not pick up TV Guide to see what is on television or your favorite gossip magazine but instead make it a point daily to saturate your mind with God's word in the Bible. As stated in previous devotions, if you have no clue as to where to begin and you find the Bible to be a scary, intimidating historical book, start by reading the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. Today is the 28th so read Proverbs 28 and tomorrow read Proverbs 29 and so forth. After you run out of chapters there then go to the book of John in the New Testament, and start with John chapter 1. Pray for God to give you a hunger for His word.

Next pray daily. Prayer is just talking to God. No "thees", or "thous" are necessary to get Him to hear you. Prayer is hotline to God. Let Him hear from you daily. Do not just pray over a meal but make a time to share what is on your heart with Him. In Luke 18:1(NIV) it reminds us to 'pray and NEVER give up.'

Soon if you make it a daily practice to 'talk to God' and read His word the emotions listed above should fade away. If you feel them arising again ask God to help you defeat the enemy who is causing these in your life. Focus on God.

Romans 12:2(NIV) says

'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.' PRAYER: Lord forgive me when I have listened to the world instead of to you. I know the cure for most everything is to trust in you and live for you. The things of earth pale in comparison to your glory and your mighty power. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen. Click on link and praise God in song: http://youtu.be/lcxKRsn-hGc