Angry? Why?

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. JAMES 1:19-20

Lots of anger is going on in America now because of a man elected to Make America Great Again. The anger does not help but hurts. Riots, outbursts, vulgarity, cursing. Even reports of a shadow government trying to destroy this man and destroy our democracy.  How does a believer respond? You respond in love and don't get ugly yourself.

 I am not trying to be political but making a point about any kind of anger. Anger destroys families. Anger causes fights. Anger kills. Anger divides. Anger is a tool of the enemy Satan and does nothing to build up a believer or the cause of Christ.

Step back a moment and reflect on the goodness of God. Pray for those people who may be creating discord in this nation. We know God has a plan. If you are angry might I suggest to sit down and read the book of John and pray for a transformed heart.

PRAYER:Lord I know being angry, holding grudges, having bad feelings about someone is not your will. Lord Jesus transform the hearts and minds of those who would want to cause revolt in this great nation. Help peace reign. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a wonderful song of Praise:

https://youtu.be/cEFGr1S8SkA

Seek Higher Ground

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

In a flood or a tsunami the advice is given to get to higher ground to avoid impending calamity. Wise advice getting out of the path of torrential flood waters. But in your life too it is wise advice to seek 'higher ground' as well. Look up, choose the high road as a good friend of mine once told me.

It is easy to get trapped if you choose to remain and grovel in dangerous situations or things that do nothing to build people up. When it comes to politics for instance,  you can choose to be ugly and mean and say hateful things or you can choose to go higher and be kind, pray, and trust God.

Whatever you do ask yourself am I seeking things higher or am I stuck in the mire?

PRAYER: I want to do things Lord that lift up and not tear down. Use me in the world around me to help people look higher. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a song of worship:
https://youtu.be/N5m17Ubn54E

Who Or What Is Your Focus On?

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

What is it that you think about the most during your day? How do you spend your spare time? What things in life are important to you? These series of questions are not meant to condemn or judge you but to make you think about just what you are focusing on?

As a believer hopefully one of your answers was the things of the Lord? It is essential to grow up in Christ to spend time in His word. It is way more than a Sunday ritual at church. If you have not done so already why not try scheduling Jesus into your day. Now some of you may think they sounds silly but don't you make schedules for other important things?

I challenge you to get into the word of God and try making it a regular habit. Usually that takes a period of 21 days. If you find Bible boring start with a Bible study book or start reading the book of John or The Psalms. Ask God to reveal to you things in His word. Now go make that schedule!

PRAYER: Lord you are good and you are patient. I know it makes you sad to have your 'children' not want to be with you. Help me develop a plan to draw closer to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Boll Weevil

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Both our sons were born in LA, Lower Alabama, and lived in Enterprise for a short time after birth. In this small town outside Fort Rucker Army installation, is a statue in the center of the town to an insect. Yes an insect, the boll weevil. Why would a town in Alabama spend the money to celebrate with a statue to a bug? 

The story goes that the primary crop in that part of the state had been cotton but one year there was a Boll weevil infestation that destroyed the cotton crop. In order for the town and farmers to stay afloat financially they chose a new crop to grow. Peanuts. This proved to be even better for the region and a blessing from God in the long run bringing in very good revenue. 

Do you sometimes wonder why bad things happen at first because you can not see the big picture? I am sure the folks in Enterprise were devastated and had no idea what to do. Sometimes just hanging on through the turmoil is what is necessary. Trials will come in life but our God is way bigger than them. Even boll weevils. 

PRAYER: Help me Lord look for the good when bad things happen and help me keep my cool. I know you will never fail me nor fore sake me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: Further info on this bit of unknown history to friends who do not live in Alabama.Recent years has the weevil been brought under control. Weevils first entered the United States from Mexico in 1892. They reached Mobile County in 1910 and had infested the entire state by 1916. Alabama's economy was almost entirely based in agriculture, with cotton being the primary cash crop, when the weevil struck. By following George Washington Carver's advice, Coffee County, in contrast to the rest of the state, rebounded economically in 1917 with the largest peanut harvest in the nation.In 1919, Enterprise city councilman Roscoe Owen "Bon" Fleming proposed a commemoration of the pest for turning Enterprise's economy around, and on December 11 of that year the city dedicated a statue to the boll weevil in the middle of Main Street. The actual bug part was added in 1949.(Copied from encyclopediaofalabama.org).

Spiritual Burnout

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Have you left your first love? I am talking about Jesus. Maybe many who have,  aren't even reading this as even 1 minute with Jesus is too much trouble. There could be those who listen to the sermons about putting Jesus first and may think they are, just by being in church or being in a certain denomination.

There is a verse in Revelation that says "if we are lukewarm, he will spit us from his mouth". ( See Revelation 3:16).   Now how about that for a word picture? If you hang out with the wrong crowd they can drag you down to the gutter with them and try to make you think like them, even if they go against what you know  to be right. Maybe you need a new church home that is on fire for the Lord not one that is constantly telling you how bad you are. Love is where it is at and it is God's job to judge not ours.

Wherever you are at on your spiritual journey know that God is there for you. He understands and loves you. He forgives and forgets even when man can not. Allow Him to light your spiritual fire today.

PRAYER: I love you Lord and I don't want to listen to the world and its' ways as this world is not my real home. Help me not allow Satan to get me to turn away and believe lies. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a song of hope and encouragement: https://youtu.be/JiD0_Krgbo4

Come As You Are

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

You all probably have heard the phrase "come as you are" meaning no need to get fancy and dressed up, just show up. Jesus invites us to come as we are as well. He chose the most unlikely characters to be his disciples. If you are addicted, messed up, pierced, tattooed, broken, sinful, a criminal, prostitute, liar, rebellious, homosexual, thief, gossiper, judgmental, he says simply "Come". No matter your outward appearance or the condition of your heart. 

Jesus is the one who loves us unconditionally. Now he does not want you to remain in your sin but he is not sitting there condemning. Remember what he said to the woman caught in adultery? (See John 8:1-11). "Go and sin no more" period, end of story. 

Church is a place for broken souls not people who have it all together. If you haven't been in a while find you a church that loves you warts and all. Don't let Satan lie to you and make you feel you will not fit in. If you have been away for a while might I suggest a non denominational church. Also might I suggest reading the book of John in the New Testament. Now go and know Jesus loves you and wants you to love Him. 

PRAYER: I am so thankful for your love for me. I know you want me in worship whether I have nice clothes or a suit. Help me not be judgmental of others but love them unconditionally. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Not Just About Me

As it is written: "For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." Romans 8:36

Me, me, me. It is all about me. Our selfie culture would certainly lead people to think that. Look at me! You know there are other people out there besides yourself. It is certainly a challenge for parents today to raise selfless children or those who think of others more than themselves. 

The world is made up of all sorts of people. Many hurt and have no friends. Sometimes in our little cocoon of sorts it becomes easy to insulate yourself from the real world. I am not talking about the world according to the media but the actual world of ups and downs and hurt and pain. Sometimes getting out of your comfort zone and helping another is just what the doctor ordered so to speak. 

What can you do today to reach beyond yourself?

PRAYER: Lord help me look around my world to see how I might have a positive impact on another's life. They might even be in my own family or circle of influence. In Jesus' name. Amen.