God’s World Versus Today’s World

God’s World Versus Today’s World

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We arefrom God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1 John 4:1-6 

I gave more scripture today to keep it in context of the message I was trying to convey. There are indeed demonic spirits of evil and destruction operating in our world today. They are often subtle and tricky but many are blatant and in our faces. Satan loves to get people into evil activity hating one another. Many are deceived and entrenched due to politics. Don’t let politics guide you but let God guide you. Listen to Him.

Love should be our aim and following Christ. Just read the scriptures above and ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you on what it all means. There is evil and there is good. Our nation founded on principles found in God’s word will stand as long as we follow the word.  When we start to bite and devour each other then evil takes over. The enemy tries to distort and twist God’s word and have attacks on Christ’s followers. 

Do you recognize evil and good or are you right there believing the lies the ‘world’ puts out through it’s expert source, the daily news?  Some may take offense to this saying “why are you beating up on the media” and my answer is they incite anger and can be lopsided. 

My friends stay on your knees. Let the word of God be your main source of comfort. Don’t  get caught up in various factions trying to confuse and distort the truth. Above all love one another. 

PRAYER: Father I am so very thankful for the truth found ONLY in your word. I pray for those who the enemy has tricked into believing lies. I ask that you help believers not be endeared to a political party but to be endeared to you and you alone and take the blinders off. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be Nice.It Makes Others Wonder What You’re Up To.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

There are many times it would be easy to lose control and pop a cork. The interstate highway is one example especially in a large city such as Phoenix or Los Angeles. An airport security line. In a line where the store clerk is ignoring you. With a friend who no longer wants to be a friend.

Sometimes you just have to smile. Let things go. Suck it up. Be sure to always pray about everything. Don’t fuel the fire by reacting in a wrong way because it will not solve a thing and may even create more problems.

Whatever you are doing today stop, breathe, try to not over schedule, and get proper rest and nutrition. It all adds up in the end. The most important factor is insuring you spend time with Jesus to learn how to quiet your heart when your feathers get ruffled.

PRAYER:Lord I need patience for moments in life when I am tempted to get upset and say or do something I regret. I choose to remain in you and let your peace rule in my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let The Hugging Commence!

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

I just love to watch people at airports meeting and saying bye to others. Hugging abounds and it is a wonderful sight to behold. Hugs are a great thing. Thank goodness we have arms. 

‘Have you hugged a friend today’ used to be a public service commercial airing on TV. Hugs are a great thing. They help lift spirits, make people smile, and give the hugger and the receiver both good feelings of love and being loved. People need human touch. Even a pat on the arm or shoulder of a stranger is good. Don’t be afraid to reach out. 

God hugs us each and every day through his words of love and encouragement found in the Bible. If you have not made it a habit to read it daily start doing so now. Start in the book of John in the New Testament. You will find many words of hope and encouragement within its’ pages. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus giving a hug is a nice thing to do. I am thankful for the ability to give them and even more grateful to receive them. They give me a good feeling. Help me share a hug with a friend and thank even more for your word which is a huge hug to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bringing Joy In A Disgruntled World

Consider  it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

Those who know me well know I love to travel and especially fly. I am to not all bent out of shape if the flights get messed up that is unless it is keeping me from a visit with family or a vacation but even then you have to roll with the punches. Recently on one of the many employee family member standby flights I am blessed to get to take, something caused many flights at Washington Reagan to be cancelled so that is when I got the idea for this devotion.

I could choose to pout or go with the flow and see it as an opportunity for yet more devotion material and that is what I am doing now. Maybe just maybe, the reason I had to remain overnight in the airport is to bring a smile or two to upset passengers or just help spread some cheer, who knows. But that is what I saw my mission as being.

Do you ever wonder why you are in certain situations? Maybe God will use you in His plan to bring joy to someone else. Even if it is only one lone soul. Think about that next time plans don’t go your way. Now go have a good day!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for opportunities to share your love unashamedly with others you put in my path. Help me never be shy about telling the reason of hope that is in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Access Pass

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2

Many places you try to go you will probably not be allowed unless your name is on a access list or you have a special card or badge. Case in point in Washington DC recently I happened upon a VA Research social in the Rayburn House Office Building. When I asked what it was and told them I was a veteran they gave me a badge to get in to the free food area. I actually never ate but did look around before continuing on my real purpose for coming to DC.

The nation’s Capitol is loaded with places off limits to the normal individual. Senate and House only elevators. Tunnel subway between Senate and House for members only. Badges and  passes galore in this city. Being a military veteran and family member  I am very familiar with cards that are for members only. Aren’t you glad God does not require a badge to get into Heaven or a Pass card or code word to talk to Him. He is a available 24 hours a day if you just call on Him in prayer.

In the eyes of God Everyone is deserving of a special pass. He has no favorites or no one is more special to him. Our earthly status or title matters not to our Lord and savior.

PRAYER: I am glad you don’t have favorites or those who are better than others. We come as we are and you love us regardless of earthly titles. Thank you for loving me warts and all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

You Before Me

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

Don’t be selfish. Think of others before yourself. Their feelings. Their pain. Their struggles. Our society is so ‘me’ centered. The selfie culture needs to learn to ‘die to self’ and find projects focusing on others. Maybe time to put the selfie stick down? 

It is often unnatural to put others before yourself. Children until taught by their parents can be very me centered. That is the fallen state of man. But we are new creations in Christ and the old man and nature are no more. 

Here are some nice things you can do. Unexpected cards. Hold doors open for others. Let a car in front of you. Do surprise acts of kindness. Let your spouse have remote control. Take a parking space further away allowing another to be up close. Be kind to check out people. Pay for person behind you in drive through no strings attached. Be creative and think of some of your own. Now go be a blessing. 

PRAYER: Dear Jesus I don’t like to be selfish. I don’t want to always be thinking of myself. Help me break any self centered areas in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual Dehydration

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:38
To be dehydrated means to be seriously depleted of water and this can even be life threatening in severe cases. The body was not designed to go without water, H2O, to sustain it and keep it healthy.

Just as the human body can become physically dehydrated, it too can also be spiritually dehydrated. By this I mean when you only ‘feed’ and ‘water’ it for a brief  60 minutes on Sunday you are in danger of drying up and dropping over spiritually. You need to be ‘filled’ daily with the word of God, not just get spoon fed on Sunday. Many well meaning people who love Jesus probably do let other things get in the way of spending time alone in prayer and reading scripture but if you fail to do this your ‘spirit man’ will not be sustained. Similar to a thirsty individual in a desert, you need to find your oasis and that oasis happens to be Jesus Christ.

Satan is a master of keeping you away from ‘spiritual watering holes’ and you need to be aware of this. Are you spiritually thirsty? Don’t get so parched you don’t even care anymore. Make a plan and get to that ‘watering hole’ daily and get wet.

PRAYER: Now is the day of salvation. So many have come to faith but then let their spirits dry up. Bring all those back to the spiritual water only you provide Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.