Get Rich Quick.....Really?

Then said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." Luke 12:15

“You don’t happen to have $5000 do you angel?” were words uttered by actor Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey in the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” when he attempted to commit suicide over needing money. Somehow money is the ultimate prize. People want more and more and seem never satisfied and society says you have ‘arrived’ when you obtain a 6 figure salary.

Desperate people do all sorts of things. Rob, steal, commit suicide, gamble, anything to gain more money. Your life does not consist in how much you obtain but in what you do with what God has blessed you with. Be content and help others if you have means to do so.

Today stop and say thanks. Don’t covet others things because you have no idea what their life is like. To get wealthy too many have shattered families on the way or have gotten away from God.  Be happy and be sure to share.

PRAYER: Thanks for my many blessings you  provide for me Lord. Help me never be jealous of others but to say thanks for what I have. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lottery Fever

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Proverbs 23:25

Get rich quick. Sounds like a great plan right? I live in a state where the Lottery is legal and in the recent mega millions jackpot, lines were long at gas stations hoping for that winning ticket. The one number that would put a person on Easy Street, right? Wrong. 

The lottery is gambling. I have heard of stories of people spending hundreds to try to relieve their financial woes. First,  man is supposed to work for his or her wages. Often times coveting what others have or feeling money will solve every problem gets people to play weekly. To some it is an innocent pastime. If you are hooked on this habit ask yourself why and would it really solve everything. 

“Where your treasure is there will your heart be also” it says in Matthew 6:21. Where is your treasure? Who do you trust for your source of happiness and joy? Today’s verse indicates riches can fly away, often times causing more trouble in life. If you are addicted to this habit ask God to help you trust Him for what you need and don’t stop for a lottery ticket ever again. Give it a try. 

PRAYER: Lord I can confess it can be tempting to want to wins millions but then I say why. You Lord are my source. It is through you I live and have the ability to earn wages or be a helpmate at home for the wage earner. Thank you for blessing me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Well Done!

Many will say to me on that day, 'LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matthew 7:22-23

Believers are not supposed to be doing a ministry of works to get saved but should want to do good. If Jesus were standing in front of you now do you think he would be happy with how you are sharing his love or think things need a bit of tweaking? Is your heart sold out for Him or are you simply going through the motions and punching in each week with no real devotion more out of habit?

Each of us has no clue when we will breathe our last breath here on Earth that is why you should know without a doubt you are entering Heaven. Seek Him first in your day. Ask Him into your heart if you have not done so. And don’t simply do works to earn brownie points because God doesn’t operate on brownie point system. Your denomination doesn’t save you. You being born into a ‘religious’ family won’t save you. Baptism alone won’t save you.
Knowing Jesus and believing in Him and calling upon his name will.

Will God say “well done” when you take your last breath? Something to think about.

PRAYER: Lord I want to serve you and do the best I can. Use me in your kingdom and help me have open doors and recognize them. Forgive me when I allow this world and its’ distractions to squeeze you out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t Get Too Comfortable Down Here

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14

There is an old gospel song that says something like “This world is not my home I’m just a passing through, my treasure is all laid up somewhere beyond the blue.” Think about that for a moment. Do you treat Earth like this is your final destination? Did you know if you name the of Christ you are simply a traveler passing through it while here serving in the very important capacity of a ‘ambassador’. 

There is far more greater and better things awaiting those who have given their life to Christ. You think Niagara Falls and The Grand Canyon are something! You have not seen anything yet. Scripture tells us we can not even begin to imagine what it will be like. (1 Corinthians 2:9) 

So enjoy life down here and the days the Lord blesses you with but don’t get too attached that you dread leaving. The thing is make sure you know beyond a shadow of a doubt where your eternal destination will be. Live for Jesus and give him your heart today. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for creating this beautiful planet we call home. Everything is gorgeous but I await my final home in Your Heavenly kingdom someday. Help me to lead others there. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t Stay In Vegas!! Run.

But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23

There is a familiar saying “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” but alas my friend that is sorely an untruth. Guilt, shame, and a host of problems follow those who sneak around and commit sin knowingly.

As today’s verse indicates there is not a way of hiding from your sin. Sooner or later it will catch up to you. If you feel yourself slipping towards doing something you know you will regret later, change your environment and run as hard and fast away from the temptation. Many sins have consequences for years and some far beyond just the mental challenges.

So it is your choice. Stay away from places or people  you know will cause you to stumble. And stumble you will and take many down with you in the process. Don’t do it. Run.

PRAYER: I am indeed thankful for that little voice inside my head called out conscience which is the Holy Spirit speaking to me. I choose to listen to it and I choose to not put myself in places where I know my spirit will be compromised whether it is Vegas, a bad movie, wrong TV habits, and a host of other things. I choose purity and honesty. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are You A Lover?

If  I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.1 Corinthians 13:1

So are you a lover or a hater? By this I mean when you love do you love unconditionally? Read today’s verse over. How does it speak to you? The word love means just that, love, no conditions. Not if someone loves you back or acts a certain way. Sometimes this type of love is difficult but if Jesus did it then so should you be able to. 

Is there someone in your life you find difficult to love? Why? Do you need heart surgery or in other words a transformed renewed heart in order to love like Jesus’ loved. Yes there are difficult people in this world. There are those you may not agree with but ask God to give you the supernatural ability to love people regardless of their beliefs or love back to you. Yes it is a tall order but can be done. 

Today let go of nay resentment you may be harboring and truly ask God to help you love like he loves. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus there have been people in my life who hurt me but it is not my job to hurt them or be ugly but to love. Also there are those who I may think deserve certain things but I know that is not a loving attitude. Forgive me and set me free from feeling this way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What A Day!

Therefore  do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

The title above can be a good or bad statement in that you might utter “What a day” meaning you are certainly glad it is over because nothing seemingly went right or utter “What a day” that it was a simply marvelous day and could be no better. Where are you at today?

Each day has new things that happen. It is how you face things and what attitude you have that matters.  If you know God is there with you and is able to see you through everything then you should be able to rejoice in each and every day.

One thing to remember to do every day is to spend time with the Lord. This does not have to be in your  living room at home but can be in your local coffee shop as I have witnessed many times or sitting on a park bench. The thing is that reading the Bible helps keep things in perspective and helps you look at life through a different lens. Are you able to do this? Start reading the book of John and go from there. Then after a while see if you don’t wake up and say “This is going to be a terrific day” and mean it! 

PRAYER: Thank you for each new day and what it holds in store. I choose to have a positive attitude no matter what. In Jesus’ name. Amen.