Positive Attitude...Just Have One!

Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Philippians 2:14

Many things in daily life can spur a sour attitude. The thing is you don’t have to allow it.

 Rude drivers, unfriendly store clerk, craziness of this time of year(Thanksgiving through New Years), where you live or don’t live, politics, dishonest sales people, strained personal relationships, and a multitude of other things. You don’t have to succumb to a bad attitude. Cheer up, Jesus has overcome this world!

Purpose in your heart you are not going to ‘go there’ no matter what and remember you are an ambassador for the King of Kings. Don’t let the stresses and strains of this earthly dwelling place cause you to get sour and feel defeated. Pause for quiet times and relaxing. Turn off the noise. Pray. When you catch yourself slipping say “no way enemy” and march on!

 PRAYER: I am guilty of slipping into the stronghold of a bad attitude at times and I need your strength Lord to help me be a positive person who can bring joy to those around me even those who may not be cheery. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Struggles? Get On The Bus, Ho, Ho, Ho!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

No one is immune to problems not even a lottery winner. Seemingly people seem to think money is a cure all but it won’t heal deep hurting heart issues. This time of year can create undue stress for many. 

Being alone. Feeling  left out. Hurtful words by a family member. Comparison to others. Unmet expectations of the holiday season. Everything combines to make it not so merry a time of year. Sometimes you may feel you are going to explode. 

Stop what you are doing. Purpose to forgive people who may have hurt you even if they never ask. Let go of hurt feelings. Be careful what you say to not dig your hold and sadness deeper. Don’t let Christmas anxiety make you forget what this time of year is really all about. Breathe in joy and peace and breathe out anxiety of the season. 

PRAYER: Lord I want to choose peace this time of year. Help me sow joy in another’s life who may be hurting. Direct my steps to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Is On The Throne...Period!

This  is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches.” Jeremiah  9:23

Thank goodness the midterm political season is behind us. Humans get so caught up in thinking what the potential for allowing certain people to lead them could do to America, democracy, and freedom. Some who run for political office  do in fact want to harm America and move it away from its’ roots  but others are Constitutionally sound and follow the rule of law.

Even for those with sinister plots for America the main thing to remember is who is really in control. Sometimes God allows certain people to lead in order to accomplish His purposes on Earth.

The next time you get concerned about evil rulers just praise God for prayer and knowing He is on the throne and we are to trust Him for the big picture. His kingdom come, His will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. God will take care of the evil. Trust him.

PRAYER: Keep me discerning and engaged and aware of what is happening in our government. I pray for media to stop being one sided. I pray for Christians to speak the truth in love and to remember to always pray and not lose heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t Conform To This World

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

The Almighty TV set beckons us daily. Watch me, watch me. The more you watch the more your opinions are shaped and not always for the good. When I grew up in the 50’s and early 60’s TV was a happy time, no networks trying to push agendas on their viewers. Also it was peaceful no murders and bedroom sex scenes to watch to fill your mind right before bed. I applaud friends I know who raise their children without this device even in their home. 

Our wonderful country is in a moral free fall yet many are desensitized to it even many so called ‘churches’. The truth is found in the word of God. It has to be opened, read, and applied to make any difference. Factions in our society have tried to make it illegal. Pretty powerful book when people go to extreme measures to give God the boot so to speak. 

Renewal of your mind starts the moment you choose to truly live for Christ and keep your mind saturated with the things of the Lord and not the world’s ways. Get a pocket Bible or download the app on your phone and read when you are in waiting rooms. Don’t just treat the Bible like some sort of magic charm. It is life giving and powerful. No go get renewed!! 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I don’t want to act like I am better than others or go around boasting of anything but of what you have done in my life. I pray for those people who need to start picking up the Bible daily and getting their hearts transformed. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t Fear Puny Man

In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11

You probably did not know that in the Bible it tells us to not fear ‘puny’ or mere man. Some mere men and women want us to fear them but your trust should be in God alone! You are to put your trust in God, period.

Many places in the Bible it tells us to not fret about evil doers and to not lean on our own understanding. (Proverbs 24:19; Psalm 37:1; Proverbs 3:5-6). I say it once and will say it again. Don’t feel compelled to watch the nightly news which mainly can instill doubt, fear, anger and a host of other emotions. Pray and ask God to give you a settled heart and mind. 

If you are worried about the future there is no need because God has it all under control. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord that you really do have our backs. When I start to slip into a mode of concern help me breathe in and know you have a plan. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Get Up, Get Over Yourself, Get On With God’s Business

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43:5

It is human nature to be a pit dweller or in other words to sulk and have hurt feelings or pity parties over things that do not matter in the big scheme of things. I know it is my weak point. Satan loves to get you where you are weakest and most vulnerable and disable you for the kingdom. Don’t let it happen. 

Let’s say you feel someone got offended at something or that you must have said something to get them angry at you. And in this political climate we are in here in America, if you don’t agree with a particular side they shut you down and out. Very hurtful. Ruining friendships over politics is problematic and horrible. 

Christians are to be set apart and above all the chaos and hatred and not slip into a mode of feeling sorry for themselves. If you have issues with friends give it to the Lord. Don’t stoop low and take the low road but always stay on the high road. Get up, get going, and get on with God’s business which is loving people and winning souls. 

PRAYER: I thank you Lord that you love me even when a human may have turned his or her back on me. I choose to love, move on and forgive. Help me stand strong and resist the stronghold of self pity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Claiming To Know God...Denying Him By Their Actions

Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Here in the United States seemingly we appear to be in another civil war of sorts, not one of the North versus the South but left versus the right, liberals versus conservatives, Democrats versus Republicans. This ‘war’ has separated family members and friends and gives the devil great delight. It is a war of democracy versus socialism and communism. 

The only way to win this war is not to argue your point with others who oppose you or try to convince them to believe a certain way but to be on your knees and read the Bible. Let the Holy Spirit bring the conviction and forgive those who oppose you and be still. The media have entered this war as well causing much agitation and discord in the populace. There needs to be a revival within their ranks as well.  The enemy is having a hey day for certain. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ of all backgrounds we are called to be righteous, Holy, set apart, running from evil, loving, God fearing, following the word of God and not reinterpreting it for the culture. Many will not see this due to tradition they have been used to and are often blinded to the sin and corruption. It is not our job to ‘fix them’ but pray and allow the Holy Spirit to work. Be still, be prayerful, and be at peace. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord Jesus many who claim to know you have twisted your word to fit the culture and have made a mockery of the word of God. Evil is rampant and many political leaders want a different vision for our great nation. I pray for hearts and souls to be healed and many to be set free. I pray for people to know the difference between evil and good and right versus wrong. In Jesus’ name.Amen.