Change Your Thinking

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

Get the enemy and the customs of this fallen world out of your thoughts. How do you do that you might ask? Well initially and most importantly is to spend time alone with Jesus. Just you and Him and your Bible. Your thinking and mind are transformed the more time you focus on reading the word. 

The world's way is self centered, angry, lustful, confused, selfish, jealous, hateful, non Christian, and go ahead and add to my list. I am not saying there is nothing good in this world but primarily the content of ads creates lust and greed. Television  and movies try to desensitize us to sin by showing us junk over and over till we don't care. The nightly news is skewed and just doomsday. If you feed on a diet like this no wonder your mind gets messed up. 

I urge each person reading to ask God to fill you with love, joy, peace, kindness, mercy,

but to do this you need to be different and set apart from what deep down you know is wrong. Are you ready for the challenge? I hope so!

PRAYER: It is so easy to get sucked into the stronghold of wrong thoughts. The only way I see to get strength on this area is to stay in the word daily and reject the ideas this world throws at us. Give me your strength Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Your Words

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21

What kind of words come out of your mouth? Praise, anger, bitterness, selfishness, love, gossip, hatred? Your words say allot about the kind of person you are and what is truly in your heart. You can't use the 'devil made me do it' excuse all the time. It worked for the late comedian Flip Wilson in the 70's but is just that, an excuse. 

Yes Satan is alive and well and tries to do all he can to mess with believers as with non believers or complacent Christians he is pretty much controlling as they don't give any time to God. Does your mouth cause you trouble? Do you spend time with the Lord on a daily basis?  The more we have a daily quiet time and read the word probably the less mean words will tend to flow from your mouth. 

Before you say something, write something, call someone, text, or email stop and ponder and ask if it is necessary and will it tear down or build up. Now go have good speech why don't you? 

PRAYER: I have messed up with my mouth more times than I care to remember. I know you created me to serve you and do good not evil. Help my mouth not be a tool for evil. In Jesus' name. Amen.

What Is Your Why?

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” Proverbs 19:21

Why do you do the things you do? The job, the hobbies, the trips. I heard this question asked in the movie 'Collateral Beauty' which I for one never understood but then heard Pastor Craig Groeschell of Life Church during their 'At The Movies' series ask this question. Why do you get up each morning? What motivates you? 

A job, a family, someone who depends on you? No matter what life throws at you it is necessary to keep going. You may feel like rolling up in a gigantic ball and hiding but if others depend on you that is not an option. 

God has a plan for each of us so never think you are unwanted or unnecessary. Don't give up. Don't listen to the lies of Satan which come when you start getting down on yourself or feel worthless. Run to God when you feel low. Pick up the Bible and read the Psalms. You should definitely feel full of joy then.

PRAYER: I want to say thanks for having me be born Lord Jesus. No one is an accident and every one has value in your eyes. I pray for those who may not feel that way to experience the joy of the Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Interference

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, Philippians 2:14

My ideas for my writing come from very unique sources at times, this one being no exception. It is as if God is saying, "people need to hear more on this and you need to learn more Becky" so on it goes. My issue today was distinct interference with a mainstream wifi source at a major coffee shop I frequent letting my phone connect but not my iPad. Frustrating but not the end of the world. 

What minor interferences do you experience in your daily living? Plumbing issues, broken air conditioner in very hot weather, dead car battery, lost keys, can't find your glasses. Have I hit one of yours yet? The point being is this too shall pass and it is not that big a deal in the long run. Sometimes it is necessary to relax, take a breath, and just give thanks. Yes you heard me right, give thanks! 

Give thanks to God for all the good you do have and for so many blessings. When you become agitated the best solution is in fact to praise God for the good in your life and see if you don't feel better. 

PRAYER: I am indeed grateful for so many blessings you have bestowed on me I don't even deserve at times. Give me the ability to relax when things go haywire. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Underestimating Sin

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20

When a tornado or hurricane strikes often times people underestimate the power and danger of the wind and consequently put themselves in harms way. Some appear to be mesmerized and caught up in the impending danger. You as a believer may underestimate the power of one little sin as well and become awe struck by it. 

Our world today is becoming more and more desensitized to wrong, sin, and evil. Satan is working overtime to confuse the masses. Sins affects can have far reaching consequences for years to come. If you feel in your heart something is not right that is your conscience letting you know to get up and run from evil. 

Is there some sin you are 'toying' with that you should be confessing and running away from? 

PRAYER: Help me break any strongholds of the enemy in my life before the enemy has me in his clutches. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Refueling Station

Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. 1 Peter 2:2

There are refueling stations for cars, boats, airplanes, our bodies, and a host of other things that need what it takes to keep them going. Christians need refueling stations as well. Those come in several forms.

The Bible, devotions, worship music, time with Christian friends, Bible study, church, small groups, mission work all serve to help you recharge and refuel. If you neglect your refueling then you run out of 'juice' so to speak and become sort of a weak believer. How can your body, for instance,  go on day to day without the nourishment it needs to stay active and alert. It would be impossible. So too your spiritual body needs to be fed. 

Are you taking the time to refuel and recharge on a daily basis? If not what needs to be done to incorporate the spiritual filling station into your daily routine? 

PRAYER: I know Satan loves to get believers to stay so busy they have no time for you Lord. I recognize this and plan to do something to change that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Lust Of The Flesh

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9

Lust and purity are not just issues for young people, but no matter what your age Satan throws out bait to entice you to come  over to his side. A little lie here, a little temptation there. A raunchy movie here, a graphic novel there. The normalizing of things that used to be considered perverse is another way Satan has trapped many. 

Don't be fooled. Stand strong. Stay in the word. If friends are dragging you into a pit of destruction, pull yourself out and get some new friends. Don't compromise what you know deep down to be the truth. Stay away from things you know God sees as wrong. Pornography even what I call 'light' porn of a certain well known ladies undergarment store, cursing or movies that curse, dressing to entice the opposite sex, cheating, trying to get rich quick, are all tools the enemy can use on believing Christians to make you stumble. 

Don't allow this world and its' temptations to get you to fall. If you messed up confess it because God is a God of grace and mercy. Run from all that is even remotely evil and seek the truth and pursue righteousness. 

PRAYER: Lord I love you. So much is out in the world to get me sucked in. Help me resist it strong in my faith. Help me remember to pray for those in my family who may be taking a wrong path. In Jesus' name. Amen.