It's Blue Jean Day!

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Those working in corporate America surely become excited like little school children on foot long hot dog day when Friday rolls around. It is casual Friday or blue jean day for those not requiring a uniform to work in. It is a fun way to end the week being casual and perhaps more productive in the long run. 

Wouldn't it be great if Sunday were like blue jean day and we actually looked forward to going to church and learning and growing? For many it is just simply a routine formality they have  been doing for years with no real thought why. For some it is because this is the way our family has always done it without perhaps even making a personal commitment to the Lord and being excited about the Lord. 

Does this describe you? Are you in a rut where church is no fun and you see little sense in it?It might be time to find a growing dynamic church where you look forward to going. This may mean breaking with the family tradition of doing something just because ma and pa did. Find a church that is more about love and grace and less about denominational man made rules. 

Above all search your heart. Is Jesus truly Lord of your life,  first place? I if not why not ask Him to be today. 

PRAYER: Lord I need you in my life.I want to grow and get excited about Sunday and every day. Direct my steps and see if there is any wicked way in me and cleanse me. Show me where you want me to be where I can grow and serve you and be excited in the process. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Comparison Monster

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12

As I sat in a local coffee shop writing one day, I could not help overhear two women chatting at a nearby table. Apparently the one woman had just published a book and was giving the other woman a copy. All of a sudden the envy monster reared its' ugly head. Then came the comparison monster. Next came the 'what's wrong with you' monster. These feelings and thoughts are not from the Lord and need to be rejected and replaced with faith,thanksgiving, and patience.

My writing journey has gone on for about 6 years now and I am yet to publish a book. First of all I am working with an editor. It is only me that beats myself up as to what is taking me so long. But I know and am assured that all things happen in God's perfect time and not mine. Why should it matter if it has happened yet? I I am still writing and apparently people are still reading. Hopefully no one has grown frustrated waiting on this book,which is in progress by the way.

Is there something in your life that you have not done and intend to and you do like me and compare yourself to others? First of all the only standard we need to measure by is Jesus. He is the one who gives us our dreams and visions and puts hope in our hearts.It is the enemy Satan who tries to put wrong thoughts in your head and rob you of purpose and joy. Don't allow him to do this friend. Stand strong and charge on in whatever task God has called you to. Do it by His timetable.

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord when I don't trust you with the timing and details in my life. I know you have a plan and purpose and in you I put my hope. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click link for awesome song of encouragement:
http://youtu.be/DmZZr5NASu0

Bread of Life Is Never Stale

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

I love church signs. I can not take credit for my title today as I saw it on a church sign somewhere so thought I would 'borrow' it to build a devotion on. It does hold a lot of truth.Jesus is described as the 'Bread of Life' in the verse above. He is never stale, molded, torn, or hard to swallow. He is all we need for a life of fulfillment. 

You can 'feed' on other things and be distracted from following the Lord but all the other things will not satisfy. No amount of money, fame, friends, education, or a fancy job title can bring you the nourishment and growth you get from Jesus, the true bread of life.

Do you hunger and thirst for Jesus? If not why not pray you will start to?

PRAYER: My hope is in your Lord. I have hungered for other things that did not satisfy me. I need to be hungering for you. I desire more of you in my life and less of this world. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a song of worship:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rR_Rdb1CTE

How's My Driving?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

On my travels down the interstate I often see semi-trucks displaying a placard on the back which reads "How's My Driving?Call 000-000-000". This is a way the trucking company can keep tabs on their drivers to insure they are being courteous drivers and obeying posted traffic laws. There was a time I actually called a number when a truck was speeding.What if we believers had a sign on our back that said "How is my 'walk'" and it provided a number for those who came in contact with us daily to report if we were being less than a Christian?Do you suppose a sign would change our behavior? Each of us should be aware we are examples for the Lord. You represent Him. Just because Sunday may be behind you does not mean your Christian life is packed up until the following week. Our job is to witness for Him daily.

Are you doing your part to be a good representative for the Lord or is someone going to have to report you? Obviously no one is really going to call and it is between you and Jesus how you behave but why not purpose in your heart you will live each day as if you could be turned in?

PRAYER: Guide my steps daily Lord as I seek to do and say only that which builds up the kingdom. This means at work and at home and everywhere else. I want to shine for you  and forgive me when I have not been a faithful representative. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Mind Fest

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.Colossians 3:2

 What does your mind dwell on daily? Perhaps a movie or television show you watched or are watching. Maybe a book you are reading. Perhaps it is dwelling on problems. To get your mind off bad stuff you have to intentionally think on good stuff. To think on good stuff you have to make a habit of focusing on good. That is harder to do if in your spare time you fill your mind with junk. 

A mind controlled by the things of the spirit thinks on good things. A mind controlled by things of the flesh will dwell on wrong things. You must make it a point to fill your mind on what is good, uplifting, pure, peaceful, and loving. Don't get up and the first thing you do is to start worrying. Stop if you do that and start praising God and praying instead. Be careful what you choose for 'entertainment' if the shows are full of immorality, swearing, killing and the like. Better to turn off the television. 

Don't allow Satan to control your thoughts and make you become anxious. Talk out loud to him and say "Satan you have no power over me. I am a child of God. I refuse to think wrong thoughts.Be gone and leave me alone." Try it and see if you do not feel better. Before you know it you will have a mind fest of pure, wholesome, and positive thoughts and the other kind will be just a memory. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I purpose in my heart today to think on things above not my problems down here. I choose to think good thoughts and keep you in them. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

My Hospital

When the  Pharisees saw this they said to His disciples,"Why is your teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?" But when Jesus heard this He said, "It is not those  who are healthy who need a physician but those who are sick." Matthew 9:11-12

Church is not just supposed to be just a 'Ra Ra club' for believers or 'holy huddle' but instead is a 'hospital' for the sick, hurting, lonely, rejected, bitter, broken, or in other words a place where people go to 'get spiritually and emotionally' well. The routine of many is to make a habit of Sunday worship which is fine but make sure you are attending a dynamic church where you hate to have to leave after the service is over.

Each of us never stops having a need for the savior. We may think we do but we need Jesus in our lives 24/7 to have a life truly sold out to Him. All of us have some sort of 'issue' in our lives and we need healing. That is what church is for, to be healed and set free. 

What is you need to be healed or set free from?God's hospital, the church, is waiting for you now. No appointment necessary. 

PRAYER:I am thankful for the men and women You have called to share the good news each Sunday. I pray for those who do not have a desire to worship that you will give them a hunger for you. I love going to your 'Holy hospital'.

Click link to listen to a song of praise and worship.http://youtu.be/CoxopsRSfdU

Life Rewind

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 As I was getting ready to go out in public and applying my makeup entitled 'Age Rewind', I thought about in life when we wish we could go back and 'rewind' the clock and do something over. Just like I know this makeup is not a miracle product and I still look the same, not 30, we can't go back in a time machine like in the movie 'Back To The Future' and fix things.

The good news is that God does give us a second chance, third chance and even more chances to come to Him and repent of your sins and get our life back on track. Jesus does not say to us "get away from me you lousy scum bag sinner" but instead it says in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all you who are wearied and heavy laden and I will give you rest."

What is in your life you need to give to your Heavenly Father? Is there a sin you need to turn from and ask God to forgive you? Go to Him today and let Him rewind the clock.

 PRAYER: I am so thankful Lord you forgive me of all my mess ups. Even when I have ignored you and blatantly sinned you still are there with open arms calling me back. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.