Celebrate Jesus!

One generation commends your works to another;they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty-  and I will meditate on your wonderful works.They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. Psalm 145:4

Today is an exciting day in the Miller household for today I have a gathering to celebrate the release of my first ever book. Many people have helped me get here but above all this is the Lord's work and so to Him be the glory. I am not just saying that,  but things happen in His way and His time and this book is no exception. 

When you do something first pray about it. Work hard on it as if you are working for Him (Colossians 3:23) as you are ultimately His witness no matter what field of endeavor you are in. Give God the praise and glory and don't be puffed up in your own self glory. (Deuteronomy 8:18) (1 Peter 5:6). 

Whatever it is you are working on trust God to see you through. Continually pray and remember to give Him the glory. 

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for helping me each and every day as I seek to honor you. Help me run from evil and run to truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Two Or Three

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20

I absolutely love the Moms in Prayer group I am a part of. On a weekly basis I look forward to getting together with these 11 awesome ladies to lift up our children in prayer. We come from different backgrounds, different countries, different denominations and churches, but we have a common bond. We love Jesus and we know the power of a praying mom and prayer in general. 

Is prayer a part of your life? If not you may want to consider finding a prayer 'sister' or 'brother' you can share things with and pray confidentially. Sure we know God can hear us alone but what a powerful time to pray with someone else. Young marrieds reading this should consider praying together with and for each other daily.

In James 5:16 we are told, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Start today making a daily habit of talking to the Lord. Before you know it it becomes a wonderful new part of your day. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good and righteous altogether. I love your Word as they speak truth and life. I choose to make a daily habit of 'talking' to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: For more information on Moms in Prayer International go to www.momsinprayer.org

Three Leaves

 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:24-25

 My title is not the name of a restaurant but refers to the 'three leaves' of the poison ivy plant that serve as a warning to not touch it or else you will get a horrible rash and may need a visit to the emergency room in worst case scenarios. Wouldn't it be nice if sin was as obvious as those three leaves on poison ivy? I know when I hike and see poison ivy I avoid it at all costs.

 Mankind likes to define sin in terms of things like drinking,smoking, cussing, getting a tattoo when in fact none of those are listed as outright sins in the Bible. Of course it is not good to drink too much or you could wind up an alcoholic or your drunkenness can result in killing someone in a car wreck or stupid immoral behavior. Smoking is not good for your body, which is the temple of God, and can cause cancer. Cussing doesn't glorify your witness for Christ at all and much is said in the Bible about the dangers of the tongue. Then there are tattoos. In the Old Testament there is something(Leviticus19:28)  about not making marks on your body but it will not send you to hell. There you have it.

Look at the Ten Commandments in Exodus chapter 20. And remember we ALL have sinned and fallen short of God's glory in says in Romans 3:23. Sex sin is a pretty big one. But if you have had an abortion, had sex outside marriage, committed adultery,  chosen an alternate lifestyle, committed murder that is sin that can be forgiven just as is the sin of gossip, gluttony, lying, judging, and stealing(office supplies ring a bell?). My point is we should avoid sin, period. Satan is out trying on a daily basis to sugar coat sin and deceive us. Be on guard. Don't fall for it.

 PRAYER: Help me Lord to make a point daily of getting into the word so I know what pleases you and what to stay away from. Help me not be led astray by Satan's tricks. Above all help me not point fingers at other people but to pray instead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Don't Lose Heart

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

Many things in life can make us lose heart or lose hope. Perhaps you have uttered the same prayer for a loved one to come to know Jesus. Maybe a family member has wandered away from faith. It could be an illness or financial problem. Sometimes you just feel like you can not take it. This waiting game is wearing you down. 

Hope never disappoints. Don't let hopeless people drag you down. When you pray believe God is going to work a miracle. Keep holding on to your faith. Keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel cause it will indeed come. 

God is working whether see or feel the evidence of it. If you tend to drag yourself down and feel all is lost, pick up your Bible and read verses of hope. A good one is Ephesians 3:20 which simply states 'God can do immeasurably more than we ask or think" and yes He can and does still today!

PRAYER: I love hearing stories of hope and miracles and I know you still live and do miracles today both big and small. You are a God of possibilities. Nothing is too hard for you. Thanks for that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: If you want to see a couple great movies full of faith,hope,and miracles make it a point to see 'Miracles From Heaven' and 'God's Not Dead 2'. 

Enquiring Minds Want To Know!

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you. 1 Thessalonians 4:11

There is a supermarket tabloid whose 1980's TV advertisements used to proclaim "Enquiring Minds Want To Know! I Want To Know!" My response to that is "why"? What do we gain by filling our minds with celebrity gossip? Is it a necessary part of life, fun diversion, or a time waster? Mind you I am not standing in judgment just asking you to think on this.

This sort of leads me into the area of being nosey and thinking we have to know everything about people. I am sure celebrities wish they could be left alone. Much of the write ups are sheer garbage in my opinion, but shoppers, mostly females I assume, crave this stuff. Therefore it flies off the shelves. Does it improve the life of the person consuming this information any? Another verse for my message today could be Philippians 4:8 which says "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." 

Do you focus your mind on good, decent, pure, and perfect things or do you find your mind dwelling in the moral gutter at times? It can get there easily by not only reading tabloids, but by things we read, listen to, or watch on TV or on the big screen. My challenge for you today is to try to keep your mind focused on the King! He alone is worthy! 

PRAYER: Lord I find at times it is difficult to keep my mind from going into places it should not. Help me keep the word of God as the center of my life and give me strength to resist things that are not pleasing to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Think Right

"For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them."  Matthew 13:15

I find many things I write focus on the mind and trying to be careful what you let into that brain and heart of yours. You and I have to purposely focus on good things and stop dwelling on bad stuff. It is an exercise of discipline similar to disciplining yourself to not eat too much or do other things bad for you. 

Get up and first off have a time alone with God. If you don't have time schedule it into your day. Things of the Lord should not be afterthoughts. Start putting good thoughts into your head. Don't dwell on problems, people who don't like you, mistakes you have made, or wondering what someone is thinking, but instead make Satan shake in his little red boots by standing firmly on the word of God and not allowing stuff to upset you. For when we are upset the little red man(Satan)  who likes to deceive people and even to the point some laugh him off, doesn't win by causing you to be down and out.

Decide today is going to be a great day no matter what comes your way.  I keep a blessing jar in which each day I write down one good thing that happened that day. If you can't think of anything, how about having a hot shower or clean drinking water? You get the idea. Now go focus on things above!

PRAYER: Your mercies are new every morning. Help me recognize and acknowledge them. Make me a light in the dark world around me. Help me shine for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Christian In Training

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.2 Timothy 2:15

My next door neighbors are putting in a invisible wireless fence for their dogs and there is a sign in front yard that says 'Dog In Training' to make people aware if they see these pooches running to not worry as the invisible fence will not allow them out. 

Should we have a sign posted around our neck that maybe says 'Christian in training' so when we screw up, say something wrong, or hurt someone,  people will know we are in training? Probably not, but the point is as you grow in Christ you are being trained unto righteous. There is a bumper sticker I have seen that reads 'Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven' and there is much truth to that. 

Just remember that each time trials come your way you learn more and can grow closer to the Lord if you don't rebel against Him during that time. Life is a training ground. Let your life shine each day wherever you are in the world around you. You might just be asked for the reason you are so joyful.

PRAYER: Thank you for opportunities to share your love with those around me. Help me be aware that others who know I am a Christian may be looking at me so help me stay on the right path. In Jesus' name. Amen.