Angry? Give It To God

A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

There has been lots of anger in our world news lately which is not uncommon for the news to saturate us with things that are not very positive. The most recent I can recall is all the anger and rage in Ferguson, Missouri which first caused an unfortunate death but then mostly resulted in destruction. 

Anger is caused by many things. Many of the angrier people in society are carrying chips on their shoulder and are not walking in love. Parents have a responsibility to train a child in love as love can heal an angry spirt. Anger is from the enemy, Satan, who loves to kill, steal, and destroy it says in John 10:10. God brings life, love, and peace.  Satan loves people to be at war or conflict with each other. There can be anger on a more one on one personal basis too in each of our lives. This type we have to purpose in our heart to contain and not erupt. Once eruptions occur it results in fights, break ups, divorce, lawsuits, accidents, and death. 

Obviously anger is not a fruit of the spirit. If you are feeling angry ask yourself why. Next we know it is not right to hate so if this is a issue with you give it over to God. Ask God to show you His love for all people and give you a spirit filled temperament. 

PRAYER: Lord I choose this day to start loving and give an anger over anything to you. Jumping to conclusions can cause anger sometimes as well as being impatient. I need your help daily to walk in calmness and peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Vanity, Vanity, All Is Vanity

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3

I get a kick out of reading personalized license plates on vehicles and have even had a few myself in years past. Sometimes they are hard to understand but sometimes quite easy. They can tell much about a person too. For instance the other day I saw one in Alabama that read 2BTOPLS and said "whoa". Too much information. I have seen them that say BAMAFAN, IRUN, SEXY, BACKDOC and so it goes. Some of the ones I or my husband have had in years past have been GODSGR8,RMEFLYR, RMEAV8R, GOD24 7 and N2FLYIN.

These tags on cars are a cute and fun way to tell about hobbies, schools, and priorities in a persons' life. They are known as 'vanity tags' as I guess they can be vain or braggy to some extent. It is sometimes a temptation to not brag to others about what you have accomplished. God wants us to be humble. He is the one who has blessed us with abilities to do certain things. We are to never think more highly of ourselves and put others down.

Whenever you are praised for some accomplishment don't get puffed up but instead give the glory to God.

PRAYER: Help me Lord to remain humble no matter what. Help me let others praise me and not my own lips. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Your Devotion To Duty

Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 

Do you realize what a privilege it is to be able to pray to our Father in Heaven? There are those missing out on this time simply because life gets too busy and sadly Jesus is out totally on the back burner. I have been guilty of it. How do we stop this? 

It is Satan who tries to keep us from reading our Bible and praying as He knows the power that lies in prayer and meditating on scripture. Everything else in life can seem so much more important even the good duty of 'church work' where you may feel you have done your part by simply serving. It also is easy to substitute a good Christian TV sermon for quiet time. That time alone should be cherished and made top priority.

As this year draws to a close and typically becomes to frantic because of Christmas and New Years plans, why not stop and take a breath and purpose in your heart you will spend time daily with God. Someone once told me the word 'busy' could be put into acronym form and mean 'Being Under Satan's Yoke'. It is Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' birth, so why not make sure He fits into your daily schedule?

PRAYER: Thank you for the awesome privilege of praying daily to you. I thank you Lord for the word of God, my Bible, and forgive me when I have let it gather dust. I choose to allow you be a vital part of each day. I resist satan's attempts to get me off track. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Thanksgiving In Your Heart

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.Psalm 95:2

Yeah! Thanksgiving is here! For many this signifies family time. For other without family around it is spent with friends. For some it magnifies loneliness and loss. This is the kick off of the Christmas season too. This time of year can bring many people stress over obligations they do not look forward to. 

Could this Thanksgiving time be the one where maybe even on your own you sit down and ponder why we have this holiday to begin with? It is NOT about football. It is NOT about Black Friday. It is NOT about overeating and regret the day after. It IS about some brave men, women,and children who sailed over the dangerous ocean in order to have a life of freedom and not dictatorship. The first harvest feast occurred in the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1621. It was officially made a holiday a couple hundred years later. It is part of our religious heritage. Today it is hard to find pilgrims figures for sale amongst Thanksgiving decorations I guess because they represent religion.

Today while you enjoy maybe the Macy's parade, a football game, and time with family and friends first stop and remember what this day is really about. Maybe have each person give one thing they are grateful for and make a new tradition. 

PRAYER: I thank you this day for all the wonderful things you have blessed me with. Thanks for freedom which erodes more daily and thank you for friends. In Jesus' name. Amen.

What Are You Thinking About?

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

Keeping your mind focused on good things is truly a discipline. When you dwell on past problems, worries, things that may happen, world issues, and a host of other things , it is nearly impossible to have peace. That is not the kind of life God wants us to live. He wants you to cast or throw your burdens on Him then walk away and trust Him to handle things. Also sitting around speculating about things can you make you almost mentally sick. Let it go and move on.

Whatever is on your mind today why not make sure it is a good and happy thought. If you start thinking about stuff you know you should not, don't even go there. If you have to, say out loud "Devil get thee behind me as I am not thinking wrong thoughts". Sounds a bit crazy if you have never done it but it sure helps, I know I have done it. 

When you make it a consistent habit to 'think on things above' then you will end up in the long run being a more kind, joyful, and gentle person.  Find a way to think of others more than yourself and you will start thinking right. 

PRAYER: Lord I choose this day to keep my mind focused on 'things above' and get in the habit of praising you instead of having a wandering mind. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Four Men

He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them "Mankind" when they were created. Genesis 5:2

When I arrived at my doctor appointment for a follow up visit a few days ago I was the only female in the office. There were four men in the waiting room and everyone that came in was also male. I decided to silently pray for these men that they would be the men of God that He wanted them to be. I prayed that their families were thriving and intact. I prayed that they would be the spiritual head of their home or ask Jesus to be Lord of their life.

In our world today,men are often the butt of jokes in commercials or television shows. Sometimes they are made to look like bumbling idiots. This is wrong because God designed the man to be the strong one,the provider,the head of the house and so it goes. Many liberated women do not like this scenario but it is the way God intended it from the Garden of Eden. I did not make it up. This does not mean men are better or are to lord over women like they do in the Muslim culture, but that they are designed by God to do certain things. 

Many of the problems of our world we see on nightly news are a result of the breakdown of the family or the absence of a father figure in the home. Dads, you are important. Your kids need you regardless of their age. They need your imprint in their lives.  Your are important. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus you designed a perfect creation. It is only mankind that has messed it up. You want man to be head of the house. We know this does not mean they are better but this is plan for a good life. Help me not resent this and bring honor and respect to those men in my life and for men praying this prayer help them to be the men you called them to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Looking At My Watch

For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

On a recent trip, while waiting in the airport for flights, a common scene were passengers looking at their watches. Men and women  were scurrying about trying to get to their gate on time while others were checking how much longer till their flight departed. The watch is a valuable tool to have to keep us on track. 

Our watch will not matter when it comes to wondering when Jesus will return. He will in fact return one day so we need to always be living like today could be the day. No one knows the day nor the hour this will occur so your watch won't matter much. Many may make Christ's return into a joke but it is no joke I can assure you. He will return like He said He would.

If the Lord came today do you know for sure you would go to heaven? Baptism or church membership are not the keys to heaven so that is not the right answer. Being dedicated as a baby is not the key. Being a certain denomination is not the answer either. Knowing for sure you have asked Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and savior is the answer. You can say a simple prayer right now and like this. "Lord Jesus, I need you. Forgive me for living my own way and doing my own thing. I ask your forgiveness and ask you to come into my heart today." 

Now go live for Him and don't worry about your watch.

PRAYER: Lord God I love you and want to serve you all the days of my life. I know I need to keep looking up and not letting the enemy drag me down with his lies. I have placed my hope and trust in you, In Jesus' name. Amen.