March Madness

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:14-18

To most Americans who follow NCAA basketball they know what March Madness and The Big Dance mean. For purposes of this writing 'March Madness' is referring to the terror that recently struck in Brussels, Belgium and in Pakistan. I am referring to ISIS attacks on innocent human beings, a good majority Christians. There is no love in their hearts although God could come into their hearts and they could be transformed.

These hate filled killing sprees have occurred on American soil with the major one of course being 911. Then there was Ft. Hood Army installation, Boston Marathon, and recently San Bernadino. Our peaceful freedom loving country allowed too many people who hate us to enter freely in the name of a peaceful religion or to help refugees. Sounds good enough. After all we are supposed to love one another, right? 

There is an evil force in this world and he is called Satan, the thief. As it says in John 10:10 "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly." Good and evil have been around since the days of Adam and Eve and the first son in the Garden. They will be here until Jesus comes back to take believers to Heaven. What we need to be doing is not hating like those who strike terror do, but to continue in prayer and also take part in speaking up since we do still have a voice. Do all things in love. 

PRAYER: Thank you for the freedom we enjoy in this country. Too long we have taken many things for granted and have not always obeyed you Lord. Forgive me for not speaking out against evil. I will continue to pray that we can remain free and evil men will turn to you. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Invasive Species

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.2 Peter 3:17

On a recent hike at a nearby state park,  I passed by a sign posted off to the side of one of the trails which read "Invasive Species" and went on to have four photos of plants or weeds not common to the area which visitors had permission to root up and throw away. I was thinking how nice it would be for mankind if there were obvious signs about the pitfalls to avoid to get you off the path of righteousness. Invasive means "tending to spread harmfully" and that describes sin in so many ways.

There is not one person reading today that can say he or she is without sin for as it says in Romans 3:23 "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory" so what you and I need to do is to stay in the word and on our knees in prayer so our senses can be discerning between good and evil and right versus wrong. The worldly view of right and wrong is very muddled and not to be trusted.

Today seek Him first thing. Spend time in prayer. Don't just be set apart on Sunday but reach out for God daily. He is waiting. Can't you hear Him knocking?

PRAYER: Guide me each and every day Lord to take the right path in life. Help me as I seek to resist the lures of 'this world' that try to get me to turn my back on you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Evil Among Us

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13

I have had people tell me to be careful to not let my devotions become 'political' or I may lose readers. First of all 'politics' in a sense is in God's word. It is a part of life that can not be avoided or brushed under the proverbial politically correct rug. Arguments over 'issues' have ended friendships and separated family members. Satan is loving it all believe me! Satan is the great divider and he has his subjects working on Earth weaving his deceitful evil webs and trapping unsuspecting people into believing his lies. 

Many feel we are in the last days. Christians who dare believe, for instance, in traditional marriage,  are called narrow minded and hateful. No where did a person even utter the word they 'hate' someone but because they dare take a moral stand to support God's teaching on traditional marriage, they are labeled and persecuted. It is happening more and more. I have used the illustration before of a frog in a pot of cold water on a stove. Slowly the heat on the stove is turned up till the unsuspecting frog is boiled alive all the time not realizing what is happening. That is sort of what we see happening in our world today in 2016. Wrong is becoming right and right is becoming wrong all the while minds become dull and desensitized to evil and wrong. 

Where are you at my friend? We all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory but the word of God is truth and can not be changed not by anyone especially a President and a Supreme Court. You can not legislate God out of society. People have tried but God is not going anywhere. Through every thing I recommend still to walk in love to those who disagree and speak out when you know religious freedom is being mocked. It is our duty. 

PRAYER: Father I pray you will keep my senses discerning from right and wrong so I am not led into the schemes of the devil. I pray for any friends or family who may be believing lies of the enemy. I pray for freedom in this nation and for me to shine your light in the world I encounter daily. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Courage

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Lots of things in life take courage. Moving to a new state or country. Changing career paths. Skydiving. Hiking in bear country. Tight rope walking. Driving a race car at 200mph. Moving on in life after a major loss. Turning away from a sin in your life you know is dragging you down. Oh to be courageous. To do the right thing. To move ahead on your journey.

Is there some task you need to develop a healthy dose of courage for? The Bible is or should be your go to guide for becoming a courageous person. The world can send mixed diluted messages of faith and courage. Only by truly listening to truth can you discern what is necessary to prepare you for life and to stay on the right paths. 

You come to a fork in the road so to speak and are unsure of which direction to take. Have you prepared your heart by reading God's word on a regular basis or do you just cry out to Him for help in a crisis?Perhaps now is the time to develop a habit of being a man or woman of courage in all situations. Don't let the enemy trick you into being fearful of what you know deep down is right. Stay strong and be courageous. 

PRAYER: Courage is about so much more than bravery but it is also about doing the right thing when the world is screaming to do the wrong thing. Give me the strength to always take the high road. In Jesus' name. Amen.

He's Alive!

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6

Easter has got to be my favorite holiday. Besides the newness of spring in the region of the country I live in, it symbolize a new beginning and a hope of things to come. Most of you are probably familiar with the Easter story although many people groups throughout the world are not. The awful torture and crucifixion of an innocent man followed by his death and burial in a sealed tomb. But He came back to life on the third day as He said.

Many doubters today do not believe in Jesus or the Bible and the job of we believers is to spread the Easter story and His love to a lost, broken, hateful, and hurting world. Many flock to church on this day and on Christmas thinking it is the right thing to do.Sort of an urging inside of these people makes them know it is where they should be. It is going beyond Easter that really matters. 

The good news of Easter also is Jesus is coming back someday. We don't know when,  although signs are foretold. We need to be ready for His coming is near. This day of celebration should also be a day to remember to share Jesus with those who would rather not believe in Him. He set the captives free. Is He living in you today?

PRAYER: Lord God I am so grateful for Easter. Thank you for saving me and taking punishment for my sins on the cross. Use me to reach out to those who may believe differently and help me show your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a song of worship to start this Easter Sunday. https://youtu.be/Yd_u58cQpMI

Sometimes You Just Need To Be Quiet

The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. Proverbs 18:7

It is very difficult for some people to not get the last word. In a heated debate or exchange of words as a believer you need to just be cool. This means no last words, no cuts, no proving yourself, and no retaliation. With email or a text, sometimes it is easy to 'talk back' to someone maybe to get your point in. Take it from yours truly, it is best to leave 'doors shut' and not try to shove them down so to speak. 

Have you heard the phrase "the less said the better"? That is often so very true. To ramble on or to try to win verbal battles is not necessarily a loving thing to do. You are sort of known by the words that come out of your mouth. We know in James chapter 3 it says "no man can tame the tongue" but with God's help we can certainly make an attempt to. 

Today why not make an effort to be careful how you respond to those you come across. Perhaps give a kind compliment to someone. Be sweet with your words. If someone tries to pick a fight you be the bigger one and nip it in the bud. Ask God to help you control what you say. 

PRAYER: Each day I have choices to make Lord. My emotions can cause me to say things I may regret later. Help me keep a watch on my mouth and purpose to only let joyful things come out of it. In Jesus' name. Amen.

'Moderate' Equals Lukewarm

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16

The word 'moderate' for all intents and purposes when referring to politics means you really don't take either side too seriously. Maybe not wanting to be identified as extremely liberal on the left  or conservative on the right you settle for the in between. Since we are in the midst of election season, I thought I would use that word 'moderate' to indicate maybe how some folks are in their spiritual walk too.

Oh to be identified as a 'Bible thumper', ultra conservative, or Jesus freak I see as a badge of honor. If you identify with Christ you are not to act like you don't know Him in some situations and in others be all in. God knows your heart. You can't hide who you are to Him.  I just tell people "I love the Lord" not that I'm religious as that word stirs up manmade duties in my opinion. 

Let me throw this question out for you to ponder. Will a person who is a 'moderate' Christian enter the kingdom of Heaven? Not judging, just asking. Today search your heart and if you are away from God ask why? What has made you leave your first love? Perhaps you have never surrendered your life to Him. Maybe now is the time.

PRAYER: I do not want to be lukewarm when that trumpet blast sounds and you come back for your children. Forgive me if I have ever lived a marginal Christian life or acted ashamed of you. I pray that you will convict those in my family who just don't seem to be in love with you anymore. Help me be a light shining brightly for your kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.