Monday, October 7, 2013
TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED
Several years ago a close friend of mine gave me a button which said "Too blessed to be Stressed"! Think about that phrase for just a moment. If you are reading this from the United States you probably truly are extremely blessed beyond measure. Even people in poverty in the U.S. often are much better off than those in Third World nations.
Stop for a moment and list the blessings in your life. Write them down. Things like food, clothing, freedom to worship, freedom in general, friends, great marriage, family that loves me,car to drive, bike to ride, ability to walk,great healthcare, and on the list will go. It is in fact true,I for one am "too blessed to be stressed".
Yet sometimes we find ourselves caving into fear,worry,cares of this world and we start to get "stressed out". Why do we allow ourselves to do this when we know we have a loving God who wants us to give Him our cares? Perhaps we are not focused on God and His goodness like we should be.
Psalm 34:1(NIV) says 'I will bless the Lord at all times His praise shall continually be on my mouth'. When you take time to praise Jesus and thank Him for your blessings you will have very little time to be down in the dumps. Why not try it today?
PRAYER: You are so wonderful Lord. Your blessings are new every single morning. You are so wonderful to me. I thank you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
GRACE
What does it mean to have "grace"? I once heard it means "God's riches at Christ expense". That catchy acronym may be a good way to understand it. The dictionary defines it as "free and unmerited favor of God." It is also kindness we do not deserve because all of us are sinners. 1 Corinthians 6:11(NIV) says 'And such were some of you but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.'
In the movie "Amish Grace" which is based on the true story of the Amish School shootings in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania back on Palm Sunday, March 28,2010. When we hear of school shootings it is shocking enough and we can be flooded with all sorts of emotions. When I learned of the Amish School house shootings it was hard to imagine who would go into a one room school house and target only Amish girls. Most people would want revenge, lawsuits, and hate to be shown to this man and his family. Instead with the news media present these Amish dealing with their own loss and pain forgiving this man and his family. They held no grudges. And they went to the funeral of the killer when no one else cared to.
I guess we could certainly learn a lesson from the Amish. Humanly we may want to strike out and get back at people who have hurt us or killed a family member or friend but God's way is always greater and higher than that. These hurting grieving people reached out and forgave. Forgiveness is the quickest way to healing.
What are you dealing with in your life today? Maybe there was a wrongful death? Perhaps no one has murdered a family member or something that drastic but is there someone you feel does not deserve forgiveness? You will feel better if you can genuinely let go of your hatred and give it to God. Even try praying for your enemies. It says we are to do that in Matthew 5:44. 'But I tell you , love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.' I didn't say it, God did.
PRAYER: Father sometimes I find it hard to let go and forgive. I know through you I can learn to do this. I know your son Jesus died on the cross and said to "forgive them for they knew not what they did" so help me Lord to be able to do this if I have to or need to. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Click link below for a powerful song of praise to start your Sunday!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
FEAR MONSTER!!!
The news media seems to relish doom and gloom stories. Government shutdown, health scares, storm damage, airplane crashes, murder, robbery, assault, fires, weather issues, financial meltdown and on the list goes. I am not faulting these journalists but we need to start trying to stay informed yes, but to not saturate your life with horror stories and stay in a constant state fear.
This past week all we heard about in America was the looming government shutdown and what would happen if it occurred. The main thing we seem to forget in this equation is GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. Prayer is essential to our piece of mind.
Fear is not from God but is straight from the pit of hell. The enemy loves to get us all up in arms over bad things happening. What about good things? Can't we hear about them sometime? In order to stay cool,calm, and collected, first try turning off the television news. If it is bothering you then get away from it. Get on your knees and pray instead trying to cast your cares upon the Lord.
1 Peter 5:7(NIV) reminds us to 'Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.' There can be "storms" raging around you but when we look to God he is our source of strength.
Worry can consume you if you let it. Make up your mind you will let it go once and for all. "But I'm just a worrier" some folks say. I say, try not to be. When you worry you can not be powerful for the Lord.
Matthew 10:29 says 'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.'
Today why not start anew and give God your fears. Psalm 112:6-7(ESV) is a good verse to conclude with. 'For the righteous will never be moved. He will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news, trusting in the Lord.'
PRAYER: Today I choose to not let the world's problems consume me. You are God and you are still on the throne. I choose to let your light shine through me in a world that needs peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Click on link below for a wonderful worship song to start your Saturday.
Friday, October 4, 2013
BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE, IN CHRIST!!
A few years back the U.S. Army had a catchy little commercial jingle "Be all that you can be, find your future in the Army". Simply stated, that you can be whoever you want to be and the opportunities abound in the Armed Forces.
You can be all that you can be as well in the body of Christ. All of us has a "gift". Some gifts are more prominent and seen by people but that does not mean the "behind the scenes" gifts are unimportant. In acting, there are the cast members who are up front and sort of the "stars" of the production, but without the crew and technical geniuses behind the scenes, the show could not go on. Take a moment and read 1 Corinthians chapter 12 on gifts of the spirit. Do you know what yours is? Are you using it to His glory to "be all you can be" for The Kingdom of God?
Christ gives you His strength to do all things and not be a quitter. Philippians 4:13(NIV) reminds us 'I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength.' Memorize that verse and when you feel discouraged and like you can not go on know that God is with you to help you and strengthen you to in fact "Be all you can be" and "Do all you can do" through Him.
PRAYER: I am excited to know I have a special gift from you. Help me to not neglect to use it for the kingdom of God and to help build others up. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
YOU'RE IN GOOD HANDS
There is a familiar insurance company whose motto says "You're in Good Hands". For a believer in Jesus Christ you REALLY are in good hands. There may be storms in your life where at times you wonder where God is and why are you going through things. Believe it or not God has not abandoned you and loves you.
When you are raising children and it is time to discipline them with spanking, for instance, you may say "this is hurting me more than it is hurting you" and for a parent it is not fun to spank or give a swat on the fanny, but when a child is disobedient and you are trying to train them to be a good citizen as well as a follower of Jesus, discipline is necessary. In the military, recruits are trained to follow orders and obey commands. They endure strict training procedures to get them ready ultimately for combat. You have to be able to endure certain things and follow orders or you will be a weak link in the chain.
A favorite childhood song of mine is "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands" and truly He indeed does. Once you have asked Jesus to be your Lord and savior you are in his hands. John 10:28(NIV) says 'I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.' Why not trust Him today?
PRAYER: Thanks that you have me and will not let me go. Even when storms are raging around me I can rest knowing you have me safe and secure. I will trust in you Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Click link to enjoy a song of praise.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
WE DON'T QUIT!
The movie "We Are Marshall" aired on television a couple weeks ago. It is a true story of what it takes to start from scratch when the odds are against you. Those of you reading this living in the Tri State area of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia are very familiar with this story. I remember it well as I was a student in high school in Southwest Ohio at the time.
The date was 14 November 1970 when only two miles from the Tri State airport the entire college football team, some boosters, coaches, and other personnel, perished in a airline crash flying back from an out of state game. This movie depicted not the tragedy of the death, but the story or bringing hope back to a community devastated by tragedy. The football team had to start from scratch and had many setbacks on the way. It was a story of believing and not giving up. Rent it sometime if you have not seen it. This story was about starting over after devastation and immense shock and grief.
There are things that happen in life that do make a person want to just quit. Death is a huge one. A loved one dies perhaps at too young an age and people are mad at God or just do not understand why. When the entire team is lost with the exception of a couple back home who did not make the game or a coach who gave up his seat,it is gut wrenching. But this town of Huntington, West Virginia definitely needed hope when it seemed all was lost. Little by little hope was restored and the team was rebuilt and the residents of this community were able to get back to cheering for football and believing in their community.
Are you feeling discouraged, burdened with grief, consumed with anger or sadness? Losses of any kind are extremely hard.
A great Bible verse to cling to and memorize is Psalm 46:1(NIV) which says 'God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble.' It takes time to heal from tragedy. But through bad things good things can and will happen.
Click link for a wonderful song of encouragement:
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
GROUCHY? GET SOME BLUE TOENAILS
This is the second go round for this devotion. The first written a few days ago was lost in cyber space. Never even had a draft to use to recreate it so with God's help I attempt to do my best again. The title asks a question, are you grouchy? Maybe you do not think you are but what kind of words constantly flow from your mouth? Are they words of praise or words of condemnation? Are they words of love or words of judgment? Are they words of hope or words of despair? Are they words that build others up or tear them down? Think on that for a moment.
So many folks may get in a habit of griping, judging, gossip, unthankfulness, criticism and not even reallize it. Maybe it has been a part of them for a long time and even Christians can be this way. Pray and ask God to reveal to you if you are this way and if you feel you are try to make changes.
I like the motto for the "Life is Good" company which is "Do what you like and Like what you do". Does that describe you? If not why? Are you in a mode of comparison perhaps? Do you feel you are worth little or perhaps too old for something? If you are an "older person" and keep talking about aches, pains, and all that, then try to change your habit of assuming things happen at a certain age and go on with life. If you are say 60 and feel you are washed up, shame on you. God can and does use people of all ages to serve Him and work for Him. The world we live in makes it sound like we assume we need to throw in the towel, so to speak, at age 50 or 60 or 70 or even 80 etcetera. Why? Some may say, "Act your age" and I say "What fun is that?"
The other day my friend Pam was in town visiting and we went for a pedicure. Normally I get the traditional red or pink shades of polish but I said "I will take the bright blue". Yes I have blue toenails and I kind of like them. I am getting ready to celebrate a "milestone" birthday so what better way to make yourself feel young than getting a crazy toenail color. It makes me laugh just looking at it. Do something fun, get out and get going. Start making your speech be positive. Even in your prayer life start it by praising God and telling Him how great and wonderful he is! Romans 4:17 mentions 'Calling things as not as though they were' or in other words do not use negative talking saying things that drag you down. Believe in miracles. Believe in hope. Believe in the impossible!
Mark 9:23(NLT) says "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." Sear that in your brain that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! Start a habit of positive speech. Say things like "Thanks Lord for a beautiful day. Thanks Lord for life. Thanks Lord for being a God of mercy. Thanks for my family. Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayers." You can probably think of others. God is a God of hope so try to make your speech give you and others hope and not drag them down. Keep focused on above and if you need to laugh and smile, go get some blue toenails (well maybe not my male readers). Have a blessed and God filled day!
PRAYER: Today is your day Lord. Each and every day is a day to lift up your name. You alone are mighty and powerful. You care about me Lord. I choose this day Lord to start thinking positive and talking positive. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Click this link below and get ready to worship God in song and lift your spirits.
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