Fearful...Of What?

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

There are all sorts of fears. Flying. Jumping from an airplane. Roller coasters. Whitewater rafting. Snakes. Falling. Afraid of the dark. Election results. Fear of proposing. Maybe you can add to my list. 

Sometimes you just have to trust God to carry you through things. Face your fears as it is said. Some fears are learned behavior because you grew up and a parents’ fear passed on to you. 

Today purpose in your heart you are going to conquer a fear that has paralyzed you. Being fearful doesn’t change a situation but it sure makes your heart more peaceful. Don’t watch or read things that contribute to unnecessary fears.  Make up your mind now you will not allow the enemy to keep you afraid. Be bold and step out in faith! 

PRAYER: Lord God I remember a time I was fearful and you delivered me from it. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ to be able to let go and let God. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Cheer Up...I Have Overcome The World

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Thank goodness the mid term elections are over for the most part. There were some hotly contested races that were too close to call at one point but all the hateful tv ads are over. Yay! Life is back to normal hopefully. 

Elections do have consequences and this one is no exception. You may be biting your fingernails and fretful of what is to come because the majority in the House shifted but alas remember who is ultimately in control and for His kingdom purposes not our little lives that are mere vapors in the big scheme of things. All of us are commanded to pray for those in authority, not hate them. 

This world down here is so temporary. Stuff happens that gets us riled up and fretful at times and people fight and bicker over non kingdom issues. It probably seems so silly to God who wants his children to love one another and not tear each other apart. No matter what swirls around you just remember who is really on the throne. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for getting to live in this country full of freedoms. There have been leaders in the past that tried to be tyrants and remove freedoms but thank goodness for elections and our Constitution and the wisdom of the Founding Fathers. Thank you for our freedoms. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Escape Path Lighting

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is LORD," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

Whenever I fly it is pretty routine to listen and pay attention to the flight attendants safety briefing. Many just doze off and don’t listen. One of the things they mention is in the event of loss of electrical power escape path lighting will illuminate leading you to the nearest exit. Of course I hope I never need it. 

It made me think of life in general and how many seemingly play Russian-roulette with the Almighty when it comes to eternity. There are those who feel Heaven is a big joke or if it is real it is a bunch of people in white sheets playing harps and who would want to go there. I can guarantee you there is a Heaven and a Hell and you better know where the escape path is before it is too late. 

Salvation is pretty simple although many churches make up their own rules and some are so bold to say their church is the only way. Dangerous territory. The verse above says it all. Once you accept Christ you will be tempted by Satan and maybe even fall off the path God intended for you if demonic spirits choke the word from you and deceive you. Run from evil and show love one to another. If you had once believed your name was written in the Lambs book of life but stay on the path of righteousness and listen to the Holy Spirit. If you slipped up pray and ask God to fully consume you again. 

PRAYER:Mankind is so easy to judge and put stumbling blocks in front of others trying to play Holy Spirit junior. Help me Lord to walk in the truth and I pray for those I know who may have taken a noise dive into evil. Deliver them from darkness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayer...Keep At It!

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1

I know people who think prayer is stupid and doesn’t work and they are believers. Prayer is your way to communicate with God. It isn’t a guarantee of a perfect life or a perfect answer. 

Sometimes healings occur, sometimes not. Why? I don’t know. Sometimes miracles occur and sometimes not. All I know is a God wants to hear from you. What is the alternative? Being taken captive by Satan because your spiritual life takes a nose dive.

Wherever you are at today give thanks to God for exactly where He has you. Everyones’ life has a purpose and often times when I life is cut short God is blamed. Live a life pleasing to him. Don’t give up on prayer. Start little around your dinner table with your family. Join hands and give thanks. Then gradually incorporate it into all facets of your day. Trust God after that.

PRAYER: Jesus you are my all in all. Forgive me when I feel like prayer doesn’t work cause it is vital. I pray for those who may be discouraged because of losses in their life. Comfort them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Freedom A Gift From God

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Today is the day we celebrate Veterans Day in the United States of America. It falls on Sunday so tomorrow it will be celebrated again but the official date is November 11. On this day ALL veterans are celebrated. A veteran is anyone who served in any of the five branches of our military no matter how long. They may not have retired but served. 

Do you like the freedoms you enjoy in America? They are only one generation away from extinction if not careful. It is the brave men and  women who have donned the uniform both in combat and peacetime you have to thank for what we enjoy here. The preamble to the US Constitution says the military provides for the common defense meaning protection from all enemies foreign or domestic. The soldier takes an oath to do just that without thought of where it may lead. 

God has gifted this land and has kept the military strong even though a few leaders tried to defund it or to destroy it from within making it a social experiment. The US Armed Forces are blessed with a Chaplain Corps to minister in both peace time and war stateside or overseas. Faith is important in the military. Wherever you are today stop and reflect on the sacrifices of military members and their families some who gave ALL for you and me. 

PRAYER: I am so grateful to live in a nation who is seen as strong and has brave men and women who take up the call to serve. Bless them today and everyday. I pray for leaders who will always vote for a strong military. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

NOTE : On this Veterans Day or tomorrow if you have the day off might I recommend the movie ‘Indivisible’ showing nationwide into its fourth week. It is a true story about an Army chaplain who is still serving today. Hopefully it is still in some theaters. 

https://indivisiblemovie.com/

Bible On The Table? Just Read It!!

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation. 1 Peter 2:2

I write lots about reading your Bible not in the sense of checking off a block or even reading it through in a year but purely and simply getting into the word on a regular daily basis. My goodness you glean more from it’s pages than you do the morning newspaper. Which do you read first?

Seems like we humans can find plenty of excuses for why we don’t have time for it. It is our most important tool in the Christian toolbox yet for many it sits gathering dust on a bedside table. Are you serious about knowing God better? If so, you can’t expect to just put the Bible on your pillow and sleep on it and learn but you have to dig deeper daily and study. I know for me when I became born again I hungered for the word. 

You make time for what you want to do and not meaning to guilt anyone but if you aren’t reading the Bible daily then it must not be very important to you. Start with whatever day it is say today being the 6th and read the 6th chapter in both Psalms and Proverbs to start out. Pray for The Holy Spirit to open up what He wants you to learn. Now go grow in Christ and be blessed! 

PRAYER: I pray for all those who need to be closer to God to desire to read your word. I pray you will help me never neglect it either and get involved in less important things. Draw my family into your word as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Is Your Armor On?

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. Proverbs 24:17-18

My focus in writing the last few day’s in this politically charged environment has been been the  evil raging in America right now. This is making Satan do a happy dance seeing so many caught up arguing, hating, and being deceived, with those being held captive by wrong thinking desensitized to not even recognize it. 

The solution to being set free is first to turn off the nightly news and throw the newspaper away. Instead fill your thoughts with verses from the Bible. The media has stirred the pot lately in a one sided manner. I urge you reading this to take the high road. Above all keep your armor of God On and part of that is reading the word of God. Satan tries to keep you away from the truth. 

From the pages of God’s word you gain peace. You don’t get peace from television or human opinions. Remember we are to love one another. Pray for revival in this great land and the truth to set people free. 

PRAYER:Father the   Devil is roaming and roaring like a lion and deceiving many some family and friends. Help me not be angry but to continue to pray and share your love to a hurting broken world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.