Who Is Being Tricked Anyway?

I will set no base or wicked thing before my eyes. I hate the work of them who turn aside [from the right path]; it shall not grasp hold of me.Psalm 101:3

Alas that long awaited odd holiday is upon us that being Halloween. In my day as a child it was innocent but now it is a multi million dollar business with free standing Halloween stores offering their wares anything from innocent Cinderella costumes to ghouls and bloody vampires. Sometimes it appears more celebrated than the saviors birth. There is no hard and fast scripture forbidding it per se but should a Christian be caught up in something that can lean more on dark than on light? 

Wizards, ghosts, witches, and slashers are all bordering on the dark side in my humble opinion. Should Christians retreat from celebrating this holiday or stand at the door giving treats? Oh it seems innocent enough giving out candy and looking at cute costumes but what about the darkness of it and should we be a part of this? Can we be in the world but not of the world? There was a saying once “so heavenly minded you are no earthly good.”

As a believer we are to be careful what goes into our mind so a steady diet of macabre evil movies during this time of year is probably not the best idea.  Many churches hold harvest celebrations where the environment can be more controlled. Do not stand in judgment or act holier than thou over a friend or family member that sees this holiday as pure fun. There is not a real scripture forbidding it but each individual has to listen to the Holy Spirit on what is best to do. Pray, decide then act. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for the beauty of fall and the beautiful autumn leaves and cooler weather. Help each person decide what is right or wrong for this secular holiday. I pray against any evil forces who use this day for ill intent. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Open Heart Surgery

I will  give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

How is your heart? I don’t mean do you have physical heart problems but how is it functioning as a believer? Is it tender, merciful, forgiving, loving, accepting or is it choked up with hatred, discord, judgmental attitudes, bickering, gossip and the like? 

Maybe it is time for a spiritual heart transplant of sorts. If your life is full of things that cause you to not show love and kindness to others perhaps today is the day to ask God to give you a new heart to love others. 

Do a word study and see how many times the word ‘heart’ is in the Bible. You will see the heart controls man. If yours is full of bad stuff maybe now is the time for that transplant. 

PRAYER: Jesus I need you every hour. I want to always have the kind of heart to show love and mercy and not judge or condemn others. I need the kind of heart to be merciful even when people don’t deserve it. Help me live with a renewed heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

“Stay Cool...I’ve Got This!” God

May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Colossians 1:11

If you have been waiting for a breakthrough for a prayer you have been praying,  you may at times wonder what you are supposed to be learning and if God is really going to deliver the person you have been praying for or the situation you have been lifting up. 

It can be hard but you have to keep trusting, believing, praying and never entertain a shadow of doubt. It may seem a situation is impossible. Remember scripture says what is impossible with man is possible with God. (Luke 18:27)

Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy which cause you to doubt and give up. Press on my friend and believe for what you don’t yet see. 

PRAYER:Your steadfast love never cease and your mercies never come to an end. Break the strongholds in the life of those I pray for and give courage to those waiting on an answer to prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Journey On!

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

We are all on a different spiritual journey. Sometimes during these journeys trials and tests come. Perhaps even the unthinkable, a death. No one is to feel they are mistreated by God. If you have done that understand God is not bringing tragedy on you but can use it in the big scheme of things and guess what? It is all for HIS glory.

No matter what journey you find yourself on press on with your shoulders back and head held high. Never forget to praise God even when in the midst of a storm. Easier said than done but remember God is a God of all comfort.

Once you accept Christ your journey begins. You may wonder why bad stuff seemingly happens but it will. All I can say is God has a way to use everything. Continue staying close to Him in good times and bad. He is on the throne.

PRAYER: I love you Lord and I know there may be a few bumps on the road on my spiritual journey but thank you for what you teach me through them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for a song of worship to go along with this devotion:

https://youtu.be/oYCcFtFwcxo

Blinded By The Lights

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

In the Hollywood blockbuster ‘The Greatest Showman’ the main character had let fame go to his head and forgot why he ever really wanted to do what he did. Not going to spoil it, so rent it. Anyway fame is like that. It can be ever so fleeting but yet those caught up in it, if not careful can lose sight of their real life before fame. 

Humility is greatly valued in the eyes of God. Not too many people like to hang out with braggarts. One boss I had in the Army used to say “let your virtues speak for themselves” and that is so true. Don’t get puffed up beyond measure. 

When you end up having good things happen to you don’t forget the ‘little people’ who helped you achieve your goals. No man is an island therefore it takes many people to bring glory to one. Please give credit where credit is due and first place would be to God. 

PRAYER: Dear Father I am sorry if  I have ever gotten too big for my britches. Help me Lord to stay humble and down to earth no matter how great an honor I receive. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Warning: Curves Ahead!

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

On interstate 65 near the exit to my town on both north and south bound lanes there are prominent signs warning drivers to slow to 65 because of a very bad curve.  Yet I still observe vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Recently I saw yet again the north bound guard rail smashed due to an accident. When will people learn? 

Your Bible is also a book of warnings that if you don’t heed them you can get totally off track and into a life God never intended. His commandments and teachings are not meant to bully you into submission but are a loving way to say “ if you do this then that won’t happen” but alas ever since the  days of creation mankind in his arrogance has seemingly known more than God. 

I have always heard there is a God shaped hole inside of every human who is born. It is what people choose to fill it up with that counts. Many may know they are doing things contrary to what God desires but yet keep on. The key is to stay in tune with God by reading and studying his word. Hide it in your heart if you will. You will soon see following the Lord makes the enemy very mad and God very glad. 

PRAYER: Father, daddy, I desire to please you just as I desire to please my earthly daddy. I thank you for forgiving me when I have turned my back on you. I pray for those I may know who don’t make time for you to be convicted of the truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tsunami Of Love

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12

The United States needs a love revolution. Angry factions have invaded and attempt to stir up strife and fear. This is not pleasing to God. 

Scripture tells us in Romans 12:21 to overcome evil with good. Lying, scheming, intentionally being disruptive is what I would say is evil. Certainly is not of God. 

What we need is a tsunami of love to sweep America. Pray for those people trying to be disruptive during this political season. Pray for revival to break forth in the hearts of men and women. Always stand for truth and don’t be fooled by the lies of the enemy. Love is from God so let’s live it! 

PRAYER: There is a song that says “They will know we are Christians by our love” so Lord help me always to remember that no matter what! In Jesus’ name. Amen.