Jesus Is The Reason For Every Season

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Around mid July I saw my first Christmas advertisement on TV. I am sure there are probably stores with Christmas displays already. It is a little difficult to get into the Christmas spirit when it is the end of July or even anytime in the fall. 

Jesus is not just for Christmas although many acknowledge Him only on that day. Christmas starts to lose its' special meaning of a Holy holiday when it gets too commercial. It starts to become way down on the list of favorite holidays simply because of the stress surrounding the preparations. It does not have to be that way and should not. 

Jesus is the reason for every season. Without Him life has no meaning and we would seek to exist. Why not make a point to keep Jesus special each of the 365 days of the year and not get in a frantic tizzy trying to do everything just so for that one special day we celebrate this Christian holiday.

PRAYER: This is the day you have made Lord and I choose to rejoice and be glad in it regardless of what is going on around me. I thank you that in a few months we celebrate your birthday but each day is to be celebrated. In Jesus' name. Amen.  

Water Or Wilt

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6

I received the most beautiful outdoor hanging flowers from a friend at my Book Launch party back in late April. Surprisingly for me, the lady with no green thumb, these flowers did well. I went on vacation in early July and therefore the flowers were not receiving water and when I returned and I looked at them in horror. Four days without water and they were pretty messed up and almost dead. 

This illustration reminds me of our spiritual life which for this purpose will be the flowers. If we 'water' our spiritual life by reading the word of God it will blossom and bloom. The minute we stop paying attention to the word and get too saturated by the problems of daily life, the flowers wilt, or our spiritual life in this case.

Do you want to bloom like beautiful flowers in the kingdom of God. You have to nurture your spiritual side and do it daily. Just existing and being a church member is not enough. Take time today to evaluate your time with the Lord and see if maybe it needs a little tweaking. 

PRAYER: Thanks for living where I am able to read the Bible and do it openly and publicly if I choose to. I know it is necessary to spend quality time with you Lord so I blossom for the kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Losing Stuff And Staying Peaceful

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.1 Peter 5:7

A couple weeks back I misplaced a key ring that did not have keys on it thankfully, but instead  loyalty rewards cards from stores, gas stations,  and restaurants. It can nearly make you go mental when you know you just had it and then poof, the item is nowhere to be found. You retrace steps, call businesses, look in garbage cans and eventually have to resign yourself to the fact you may have to let it go and hope it shows up. 

Precious time can be spent worrying and fretting over stuff like that we have no control over. The enemy puts thoughts into your mind such as "you are getting senile" but you have to reject that and stay at peace. People of all ages misplace items. 

Do you have thoughts that pop into your head that cause you to want to worry? Do you obsess over your stuff that is lost? Try to be still and trust God. I did and guess what? Found the cards! 

PRAYER: You are a good God. I thank you for helping me maintain peace when I feel like doing otherwise. Each day help me to slow down. I thank you for helping me find my lost items. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Cross Brings Peace

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3

At a recent visit to the local VA Clinic in Huntsville, a gentleman who apparently worked there,  was passing out American flag cross lapel pins. After I got over the shock of this actually occurring,  I proceeded to put it on the shirt I was wearing. It did bring me both comfort, hope, and joy.

During this time I sat waiting for lab work,a rather disgruntled female veteran with two knee replacements and a host of other issues was sharing her woes with me and I said to her as I saw the same lapel pin cross in her hand, "at least you have that cross to give you some hope." Life does bring things to irritate us. On this same day after waiting almost an hour for a lab appointment a kind  nurse came out and said she was sorry but someone messed up and there was no scheduled appointment. I did not get mad, even though I was starving from having fasted over 12 hours for this appointment,  but simply pointed to my cross and said it was okay and smiled. 

Is something bothering you that you need to just let go and move on?Anger only inflames many situations. Wherever you are and whatever you are going through just remember the cross of Christ and try to smile. 

PRAYER: Help me Lord as I seek to pursue peace in all situations that I may encounter. Help me also let my light shine in the darkness around me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Paranoid Or Trusting?

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

The world we live in here in 2016 can cause us concern, fear, anxiety, and paranoia but only if you let it. Who do you believe? What can you do? 

The one standard that never changes is Jesus Christ. Even though many individuals, groups, and sadly our own government try to erase His existence, He is not going anywhere. If your mind constantly feeds on a steady diet of bad news then naturally you may be fearful of tomorrow. 

God is the author of peace and you can choose peace, love, stillness, and quietness as you stay grounded on God's Holy Word. Don't let the enemy cause you to be scared. Keep praying and keep the faith. 

PRAYER: You are Supreme over all things. When I see stories on the news that make me want to run and hide you alone can see me through. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Spitting Time

So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

What or who takes center stage in your life? Your job? A hobby? A cause? Would you say you love Jesus and are you more than just a Christian in name only? Many questions to give some thought to. 

Today's verse is pretty easy to understand. No one likes anything lukewarm. When you think of your walk with the Lord, is it non existent or on fire or just ho hum? Now I am not referring to all the good things you do or your devotion to a particular denomination, but your love for the Lord and your desire to please Him and live for Him. 

So here in lies the question..."If you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?"(author unknown). Answer the call and follow Him. 

PRAYER: Help your joy radiate in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 

Keep Running

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-25

I love to run and am thankful I still can. Granted I am not as fast as I used to be but still enjoy it. In life each of us is a 'runner' pressing on in this race we call life.

Sadly I have known people who have taken their own lives and those who attempted to, but thankfully failed. My heart goes out to especially the parents and families of these individuals. Life is not a bed of roses all the time and there will be challenges. Don't catch yourself judging these individuals who gave up on their race. That is not your job. 

Fix your eyes on the cross of Christ. If you catch your mind drifting into negative thinking patterns immediately get into the word of God. Talk out loud and tell Satan to get behind you and that you belong to Jesus. Keep pressing on to the finish line! 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus sometimes it is so hard to keep on keeping on. You gave me life and have a reason for me being on planet Earth. When negative thoughts come into my mind I will counteract them with praising you. In Jesus' name. Amen.