Learning To Be Still

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

As I watch four perky little hummingbirds dashing and darting about around the feeder hanging from my porch, occasionally one or two of them actually sit still on the perch provided on the feeder and suck the food in the feeder. It is so amazing to see these little birds which normally are at a frantic pace actually sit down for a moment and rest. 

For we humans being  still involves so much more than the act of stillness but it means controlling your thought life and the words coming out of your mouth as well. Stillness must at times be intentional. There is something called a 'Day Alone With God' coined I believe by a lady in the Moms in Prayer ministry a few years ago where you purposefully set aside time to get alone with God preferably in a location outside your home where you are free from distractions. It is a wonderful discipline even if you can only do it for an hour or so. 

Make up your mind you will take time to be still. No cell phones. No music. No answering doorbells. Go somewhere safe and commune with God. His creation is abounding with places to get away. During this time talk to your Heavenly Father and enjoy just being still. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I know I need to take time to not always being going here and there and schedule time to sit at your feet. Help me as I try to discipline myself in this vital area. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Let Go, Step Back, Stop Hovering, And Trust God!

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

Several years ago when my sons were in college there was an article I think in Wall Street Journal entitled 'The Helicopter Moms Are Hovering On Facebook'. I know that in my generation this is a fault of many moms. My mom never did it. Sure there was no internet then but she did not constantly have to be in the loop, concerned trying to spoon feed me and shape my life. She did her job. She didn't tell me how to live or subtly 'suggest' things.

Whether you are a mom or a dad,  especially when they leave home, back off. You have done your job. Why is it many of us find it so hard to loose the cords? Cut the 'umbilical cord' and let them live their life. No one likes to be guilted into something and we are not the Holy Spirit junior. Release your grown child to the Lord then let Him go especially if he or she is married. A good relationship requires backing off into a new role. Believe me I have made my share of boo boos.

God is our parent. He is not hovering over us but He cares for us. He sees us mess up and then we pick ourselves back up again. You pray prayers so once those are prayed stop worrying and trust God. Try to stay focused on things above and involve yourself in your own business. There are actually verses in the Bible about meddling. Stay on your knees, not on the phone.

PRAYER: Lord for those of us blessed with children there are so many wonderful stages but help parents everywhere learn to let go, learn to not meddle, learn to not guilt. Help me stay on my knees and give the concerns to you and let my children lead their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE: This devotion was focused on a particular group today and departure from my all inclusive devotions so I hope even if you are not married or don't have children you gained something from it. Be blessed.

So Heavenly Minded No Earthly Good

Do you have contempt for God, who is very kind to you, puts up with you, and deals patiently with you? Don’t you realize that it is God’s kindness that is trying to lead you to him and change the way you think and act? Romans 2:4

Have you ever heard the phrase that is my title today? Think about what it means. I know when you continually push Jesus on people be it a friend, family member, or whoever, sometimes it can backfire. As a believer you have a duty to help win the lost to Christ but not by banging them over the head with your Bible  or constantly shoving Jesus in their face. If you have done it that's okay, God gives second chances. 

Our job is to be a missionary for Christ but that does not mean be preaching at people 24/7 but instead building relationships with them, showing love, being kind. Showing people you care and love them and are not judging them. Stop guilting people if you are doing that. Purpose today to do the job God has called you to do mainly loving, being a witness, and keeping quiet. 

Pray and leave the results to God. If you don't see results, be still. Ask God to help you be still no matter how long it takes. Stand on the promises in the word of God and stop worrying and dwelling on it. 

PRAYER: You Lord are gracious and merciful and you never give up on me. You never give up on those I am praying for. Thanks for that. Help me be still. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a powerful song of praise and worship. 

https://youtu.be/vGnpWo9SLuk

Grade School To Grad School

For where two or three gather in my name there I am with them. Matthew 18:20

Today marks the anniversary of a nationwide student led prayer movement called 'See You At The Pole' where early before school begins students gather at their school flagpole to simply pray. For over 25 years this student led prayer initiative has existed  for one purpose. To unite student to pray for their school, country, and world. 

Ever since prayer was removed from the public schools in 1963 there have been attempts to remove the First Amendment rights to pray in school, have Bible studies, and even be able to distribute the Gideon's New Testament on school campuses. The enemy would like nothing more than to silence Christians in the United States and have us become communistic and unable to speak or pray. But just like the movie 'God's Not Dead', God is going nowhere. His kingdom come, His will be done.

If you are near one of the schools in your community by the time you read this it may be over but the main time students congregate is before school at 7 a.m. It is a site to behold while students pray and lift their hands to the Lord. Revival is coming to our nation's campuses. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord protect these students who are bold enough to take a stand for you on their campuses throughout this land. Help this movement spread. May this be a witness to communities nationwide and worldwide. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Www.SYATP.Org

If reading this before 7 hope on your car and drive to nearest school to find out if they are gathering. Just sit and watch. To God be the glory! 

A.N.T.

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22

Today I got help with my title from my weight watchers leader who talked about A.N.T. (Automatic Negative Thoughts) in the context of losing weight and I will speak of these wrong thoughts as it applies to your spiritual life. Here goes!

First of all, if a concern is weighing you down, you know well enough that the anxiety you feel is not from God. The devil specializes in trying to get God's children saturated in worry, doubt, concern, and fear. Aren't you and I above that my friend? Yes we are! It takes spiritual discipline and getting yourself out of the gutter to think right. You have to continually confess out loud positive things. Romans 4:17 says " calling things as not as though they were" and certainly a steady mind diet of fear and worry helps no one and certainly can not make you a victorious child of God.

You have to choose which mindset you want to be in. Do you want to constantly fret and worry over a situation you can do absolutely nothing about or do you want to start your day joyful lifting up praise to God for the answers on the horizon that He will bring? Don't succumb to fears my friend. Hang in there and focus on 'things above'!

PRAYER: Oh how great is your love for me Lord. I know you care about me and my concerns and are at work in the lives of those I pray for. I choose to purposefully focus on good stuff and if I catch myself slipping will turn on some good praise music. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for a wonderful song of worship and praise. I realize some of my readers may not go to churches who sing this type of music which is known as worship songs but sit back, lift your hands to Jesus and sing along. You will feel better.

 https://youtu.be/vg5qDljEw7Q

Checking A Box Or Loving God?

In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Proverbs 3:6

 Did you know it is possible to attend church and not really be in love with God? Also did you know it was possible to not go to church and be in love with God? The point is people have to stop judging and maybe change churches if you are in a dead church that doesn't make you feel  the love of Jesus. Also stop judging those you know who are not in church right now. It is about way more than opening the church door each Sunday but it is about living for Christ the other 6 days. Stop pushing and start praying.

You should want to be in church on Sunday as it is one of God's commandments to remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.  Other verses elsewhere in the Bible mention not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together as we need each other and should not be Lone Ranger Christians. Elsewhere in scripture it says not to seek your own pleasure on the Sabbath day. Above all though do not become so legalistic you miss the whole point.

I have talked to people who have felt condemned by a church, or who got nothing out of the message or music. Maybe they have been hurt in life by someone or had a lot of bad junk happen and tend to blame God. Maybe they feel God can never forgive them for something they have done. Continue to love others and pray. If I have described you in this message, begin to  seek God on your own at home. Give him time each day. Purpose in your heart that you intend to fall back in love with Him.

PRAYER: Help me Lord to never be guilty of shoving people or trying to orchestrate their spiritual life. It is only the Holy Spirit that does any transforming. My job is to love and keep quiet while waiting. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link and worship the Lord in song:

https://youtu.be/Bb7TSGptd3Y

Sent from my iPad

Be You!

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

I sat in my hair dressers chair one day and noticed a beautiful young girl probably in her late 30's come in and thought she looked like a local personality on TV. I said nothing. People are people and God created each of us unique. My friends know I have a habit of finding celebrity lookalikes but why does it even matter. 

Each person whether famous or not is special to God. I think it would be a pain to have everyone clamoring over you because they saw you on TV or in a magazine. Once a few years back, a lady and her daughter, stopped me in a local coffee shop and asked if I was the Candle Maker from Huntsville's Constitution Village and I told them I used to be. This made me smile.

Point being a rich and famous person is only rich and famous in the eyes of the world. God doesn't look at that stuff. Sometimes it can keep you away from God too. Be you as that is who God made you. If you get well known give God the glory.

PRAYER: Lord I give you the praise and glory for creating me in my mother's womb. I am beautiful and special to you and that is all that matters. Help me honor you by my choices in life. In Jesus' name. Amen.