The Forest Fire

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:5-6< On a recent vacation to Yellowstone National Park it was pointed out that forest fires helped with the regrowth of the forest and were essential in the big scheme of things. Forest fires and grass fires occur nearly every summer but similar to the ruination which happened after Mt St Helens 1980 eruption,years later the ground is beautiful and lush. The forest fire rages and kills but in the aftermath beautiful growth occurs. Our tongue is similar to a huge forest fire but unlike the flames leaving destruction in their wake and later blooming again,the 'fire' that spews forth from our mouths often destroys and hurts those we speak to. It may take years to be able to repair a relationship that you have destroyed with thoughtless words. This is one 'fire' that needs to be tamed and kept under control before it rages forth and hurts someone we are close to. Do you have problems controlling your tongue? Many people do so if you do admit it to God and ask for His help. Do not be afraid to ask forgiveness to those you have hurt with your words. If you have been hurt by another and even if they never asked for forgiveness do not harbor bitterness and choose to forgive. It is what God would want of His children. PRAYER: Forgive me Lord for the times I have become offended when someone hurt me. Help me learn to forgive and forget. Also help me Lord not start 'forest fires' with my words and stop and think before I speak if there is any doubt to what I am saying being hurtful. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Hard Work Pays

The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. Proverbs 12:27 I am fortunate to live in the United States of America which has so much diverse natural beauty. Recently I returned from a trip to Idaho and Wyoming, two Western states filled with things of awe and wonder. The Oregon Trail passes through Boise and it made me ponder the hard work and courage of those brave men and  women who ventured West over the Mississippi to discover more of this great nation. Hearty souls they were facing dangers, peril,  and the unknown. It was allot of immensely hard work similar to the Founders of this great nation and the early Pilgrims. Religious freedom was the initial impetus to come to this great land. When we have everything given to us and don't have to work laziness sets in. That was never God's plan and many scripture verses allude to that fact. We are to help those in need but those in need are not to just sit back and expect to not lift a finger towards helping pull themselves out of poverty. Similar to why in the national parks we are asked to not feed the bears. If we do they tend to rely on tourist handouts and will not go hunting for food on their own. The pioneers knew they would have to toil and face danger but they were willing to for freedom and a better life. In life do we allow others to give us handouts or do we work hard to get what we want? This could be both physically and spiritually. Once you hear a message on Sunday do you study it or do you forget until the following Sunday and just go about daily business? Don't get lazy about physical work and do not become complacent about your walk with the Lord either. PRAYER: I need to remember to study hard and grow in my walk with you. Also help me never be lazy about working to make a better life. Help me remember the example of the brave settlers of this great land. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Ticks And Other Pests

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:2

When you go to the woods or are around pets and their sleeping areas, it is necessary to be on the lookout for ticks. One surprised me recently as I was doing computer work. I quickly got rid of it and checked myself for more.

This incident made me think of sin and how it 'sucks' the life right out of us. There are two choices,  the first being follow the world and popular culture or to follow God. Everyone has sin and there is no worst sin category even though some like to think there must be. Sin is doing something you know displeases God and separates you from Him. Besides the word of God, only your heart can convict you. Satan is at his best deceiving many to think they are politically correct. The question is are they God correct?

Do you choose the worlds' ways which often lead to destruction or do you choose the narrow pathway to God?

PRAYER: Keep me from being blinded by the deceit, schemes, and trickery of Satan. He is working all over trying to pervert the truth. Help me and those in my family keep our eyes open to truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Peace In Unsettled Times

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Many people today fear we are in the last days. Our leaders negotiate with terrorists and shun our biggest friend Israel. What is wrong with that picture? Don't run for the hills, this is not about politics, but is about maintaining peace when humanly you have much to supposedly fear. Bank collapse. Moral collapse. Collapse of freedom. Guess what? Last time I checked God is still on the throne. The puny plans of mere men are nothing compared to the miracles of this Big God. 

What should you be doing right now? First use your voice to speak the truth in love. Note I said to do it "in love" as forcing your opinion on someone only makes them angry. The Holy Spirit is the one who changes people. We never will. Believe me, yours truly knows all too well. Next and probably most important is to keep praying. Third is to purposely pray for your enemies and those the government to become Christians if they aren't already and pray for the truth to win out. Finally relax. We serve a big God and He has it all under control. Don't catch yourself getting angry so much but stay involved in the freedom process and keep knowing God will work things out when it is His time. 

Now go out in this chaotic world and spread some peace and love today. 

PRAYER: I confess to you my fears of wondering what has happened to America. I start to fear the worst and then I realize you are bigger, much bigger,than all that is going on. You see the big picture. Help me to trust in you and relax. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Training Ground

To answer before listening-- that is folly and shame.Proverbs 18:13

How foolish to decide things without the facts. When we rush to judgment on something or make a decision before laying all the details out, big trouble could lie ahead. It sure is hard to wait. If we don't though misstakes can be made. I am trying to learn this lesson on my journey to get published. I will think I have found the perfect self publisher then something changes my opinion. In my rush to get my book into print I certainly do not want to do it any way but God's way. 

My training ground of sorts is waiting on God. Learning to be still. Learning to slow down. Learning to not jump to conclusions. Learning to have peace in the midst of chaos. This takes self control only given by the Holy Spirit.

Does God have you in a training ground to help you learn a spiritual lesson? Maybe it is an office where you need to learn to love your co workers. Perhaps it is with friends and rejection. Maybe it is learning to be content with what you have and not compare. Think on this for a moment and what is it you need to learn and sit at God's feet while you do?

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for the things you teach me in my day to day existence. When things fall apart maybe it is time I am still and figure out what it is I need to learn. In Jesus' name. Amen.

More Than Sunday

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

Going to church is a good thing. The Sabbath day is to be honored and kept but not in the legalistic sense of "let's do this" and then go about the rest of the week without any part of God in your life. It strikes me that only the Holy Spirit can do the "spiritual surgery" to help change a person's heart. Seeds of kindness and love  can be planted along the way by believers.  Ultimately, loving Jesus is supposed to be a 24/7 operation each day and not just reserved for one single hour each Sunday. 

Maybe the people that need to hear this message are not even reading this devotion because devotions are not their thing. So if you know people in your life you pray for that the 'spiritual light' will come on in their life keep on praying and trusting God will take care of them. Beware of acting superior to anyone that is not loving Jesus with all their heart. Our job is to love and not judge. 

In the meantime get excited about Jesus around the clock. Feed your spirit with songs, and tunes, and spiritual songs and lift up your voice in praise to Him. 

PRAYER: Your goodness is awesome Lord. I love to worship where the spirit of God is alive and the truth is preached. Use me Lord as your witness in the community I am in the rest of the week. I resist the enemy and he has to flee. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Annoyances

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Recently I was in another coffee shop attempting to write when a girl answered her cell phone and instead of removing herself to chat,  carried on a very loud personal conversation right there. After that she started blowing her nose super loud. I said to myself "Ok Becky time to keep focusing on love, forgiveness, and patience." There are many rude people in the world and the cell phone has caused much more rudeness. It is how we choose to deal with this and respond that matters. 

God puts up with lots from us. Thank goodness for His mercy and His grace. We are not by any means perfect creatures but are to learn and grow to try to be more like Him. The saying 'WWJD' which became popular a few years back,  really does make us think about "What Would Jesus Do?" In certain not so perfect situations in life ask yourself that questions before you boil over and are sorry for your actions or feelings. 

Why not try to emulate Christ in tough situations you encounter today? Things may annoy you but then did you ever think you could annoy others too. Remember to show God's grace to others. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good and I am so grateful for your love and grace. Help me Lord to remember to show grace to those around me as we never know what they are going through. Above all help me not judge others as I am not walking in their shoes. In Jesus' name. Amen.