The Shade Tree

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed. A stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

It is stifling hot here right now. Granted, not as hot as in Bangladesh, Middle East, or Phoenix but never the less hot. Every time I go to the store I search for a shade tree to park under. This tree provides a small amount of relief from the direct sun beating down upon me.

The pressures of life sometimes can overshadow us like a dark cloud  or a burning sun. We need somewhere to just run away and hide and rest for a while. Jesus is our 'shade tree' when the heat of life gets turned up on us. We run to Him for our relief. He is our shelter.

     

 Do you need relief from something? Run to Jesus. He is your shelter.

PRAYER: Thank you for being my shade tree and protecting me from stuff that comes and beats down upon me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Summer Vacation Is Over

 Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy is one of the Ten Commandments we learn as new believers. Even non believers are exposed to this. Many want to discount it as the law, and  say the law has passed away. The Ten Commandments used to be displayed in public school classrooms and the world was better for it.

Vacations are winding up during this Labor Day weekend. Schools in some places have not yet started like the ones here in the Southeast where I am. Often in the summer, vacations are taken away from church as well, as doing fun stuff is so much more important we rationalize."I don't need to be in a church, I worship outside", I have heard some say. Really? Not trying to judge as maybe some folks do. I attended a service once at the top of a mountain while snow skiing in Colorado. But let's face it. It is so much easier to not pack a Bible and not even take time to pray. I am not perfect as I have at times not made it a priority. We all slip-up sometime.

Now that summer is nearing an end why not make a fall resolution to make God and fellowship first place in your busy schedule. He needs you. Do you need Him? I hope so.

 PRAYER: I need you oh I need you. Every hour I need you. I asks forgiveness when I  have put my own pleasure before you. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click on link for a praise song to get your day started:

http://youtu.be/JiD0_Krgbo4

Snap!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:3

What do you think of when you hear that word or sound? For me the most recent was the sound my knee made,or maybe it was 'pop', when I tore my ACL in a fall I took snow  skiing. "Ouch what was that" is what I said. It was an 11 on a ten point pain scale.

Things sometimes happen we are unprepared for and sometimes have tremendous difficulty dealing with. That dreaded phone call or knock at the front door usually not bringing good news. Stuff happens in life we have no control over and we have to pick up and go on. That 'snapping' sound of not so great news often sets us back. Back in 2001 no one expected the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Unexpected things are part of life. It is the bouncing back that we have to master. And master  you can with God's help! 

Whatever it is you are struggling with today let God have your trials. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good in the good and the not so good. I thank you I know all things will work out somehow. Help me hang on to hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Please Excuse Our Appearance While We Are Under Construction

 For we are his workmanship,created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

As I ran on Redstone Arsenal early one morning there was a construction area fenced off with the same message as my title. They were apologizing for the mess while they worked to build something new.

There was a phrase I once heard, "Please be patient God is not finished with me yet" and indeed He is not. All the things we go through , good or bad, in life are creating a useful vessel for The Lord. There may be some rough spots to be sanded but you are a work in progress. Eventually when you are done you will be ready for the kingdom.

Don't complain when trials come your way as they help mold you to be more like Christ.

PRAYER: Thank you for making something beautiful of my life Lord. Help me as I go through trials to hang on as the finished product awaits. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a song of praise to get your day started.

http://youtu.be/oYCcFtFwcxo

Hurting World Needs Prayer and Care

Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker, and whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:5

 On a recent visit to New Orleans to primarily see The World War 2 Museum, I had to satisfy my curiosity and see the famed Bourbon Street. It is sadly famous for the wrong reason. I should have been 'prayer walking' as I made my way past bars and adult entertainment venues. Some said to me "Why would you even want to see it?" One thing is for sure it made me see the need for prayer in a huge way. I can not even begin to describe the scenes I saw. Thankfully I exited after only ten minutes walking to a safer, quieter, calmer street where we ate supper. There is way more to see in this wonderful city.

This world is full of sad and hurting people and many of them were there on Bourbon Street. These hurting people are on street corners in many of our cities. The product of fatherless homes perhaps, broken marriages, economic downturn, mental illness, abuse, alcoholism or drugs. Only God knows. We are not sent to judge but to pray and reach out and help. It is only the grace of God that keeps us from being on a curb somewhere. We do not know everyone's story so it is best to not judge.

Today when you have the opportunity, first thank God for where He has you in life and look around and see if there is someone who needs a loving touch or smile or even help with a need in their life.

PRAYER: Give me eyes to see and be aware of hurting people beyond my protective 'bubble' Lord. Help me to remember to pray and show your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Course Correction

Teach me your way Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness.Give me an undivided heart that I might fear your name. Psalm 86:11

According to the science dictionary, a course correction is in space flight  when the spacecraft has to be returned to its' right path after getting off its' trajectory. Instruments are adjusted to get it back on the right flight path.

Life is a series of 'course corrections' where if you find yourself going in the wrong direction, spiritually speaking,  then it is time to turn around and head the right way. Satan loves to get us off course. His specialty is playing with your mind and thoughts. Maybe making you feel unworthy, too old,too small, or trying to instill fear so that you do not try new things.

Know whatever it is, God is with you helping you along the way. Do not listen to the lies of the enemy. God will guide you on the right course.

PRAYER: Lord I want to stay on the right path and do what pleases you. Help me and guide me on the course you want me to go. In Jesus' name. Amen.

He Walked With God

The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.Genesis 6:6

In Chapter 5 of Genesis, the genealogy from Adam to Noah is given, and by Enoch's name it says the phrase "he walked with God." To me this says lots. It means he acknowledged God and followed His ways. Many others did not have this statement by their names. 

When you die someday will people say you walked with God or something else? Walking with God means you are not self righteous but you also are unashamed.and love the Lord. It does not mean you are better than others but that Jesus lives in you and you want to help others.

Right before the flood in the book of Genesis, not too many people were walking with God. He had had enough and decided to start mankind again with Noah's family. Are you ready to walk with God on a regular basis?

PRAYER: Sometimes I have gone my own way and listened to Satan instead of you. Forgive me Lord. I want to stay on your path and walk with you. In Jesus' name. Amen.