Harness The Good, Release The Bad

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Years ago there was a television comedy sketch where a comedian played a psychologist and his phrase he kept repeating was “harness the good, release the bad” and even though this was done in humor there is much truth to it.

Dwelling on junk that drags you down will drag you further down. This is a tactic of the enemy as he knows how to push our buttons on weak areas in our life. For instance, trying to get people to like you who have no interest is futile, and continuing to hound them and beg them sends them further away. Instead cherish friends who really like and care for you and don’t try to figure out why the others one don’t. It is a waste of time.

Release those things in your life that are not bringing you closer to Jesus. If something is causing you constant stress and turmoil it is obviously not of God. Pray and ask God to handle it.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for helping me break strongholds that keep my mind occupied on areas that take me away from you. Help me let go of hurtful things and embrace the good things in life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Home Stretch

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Whether on a trip or running in a race you get to the final home stretch where you give it all you’ve got.

Our lives here on earth are so short even though most of us think we will go on forever. There will come a day for all of us when your heart will beat its last beat and you will breathe your last breath. This is a time of grieving for those left behind but for the believer it is a time of celebration and home going. Your race of life is complete and it is time to enter the heavenly kingdom.

Have you been running a worthy race working for kingdom purposes or has your life been mainly day to day thinking only of your career or your own pleasures? You can believe in Christ and there is ‘Jesus plus nothing’ as my former Arizona  pastor Gary Kinnaman used to say,  but shouldn’t you want to be serving Him and not yourself? Works aren’t going to get you into heaven or being good or being a certain denomination. Do you know Jesus and are you all in for Him or sitting on the fence? Get ready for that home stretch as you never know when it will be.

PRAYER: Father it is exciting thinking about the heavenly kingdom beyond this earthly realm. No one can imagine how magnificent it will be. Help my life lead others closer to you and not make them stumble. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Good Morning God!

“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

When you get up do you ever think to say “Good morning God” or does your main activity consist of jumping right into the busyness of your day?

Perhaps it is time to take a pause break and just talk to God for a while. Make him part of your activities throughout the day. Put ‘quiet time’ on your calendar just like you would  a dentist appointment. Isn’t God worthy of time on your schedule?

Don’t make it a chore or you won’t get anything out of it and don’t compare yourself to sister Suzy Q who prays three hours daily or reads her Bible for two hours straight. Comparison leads to dissatisfaction and the enemy loves you to do it so stop making satan happy and stop trying to be someone else spiritually. The main thing is to do it and desire to do it. You may know people who are just doing enough to avoid Hell but that is where it ends. First you don’t know their heart. Take care of yourself and let the Holy Spirit work on others. Just pray.

PRAYER: Father I confess there are many days I run out the door and realize I have not even so much as said hi to you. Forgive me. Help me to get rid of things in my life that distract me and keep me from drawing closer to you. In Jests’ name. Amen.

God Of Their Own Understanding

And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back Will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 2 Thessalonians  2:6-7

Do you feel a conviction  to help change the world? You are a representative to the culture for the Lord if you are walking with Him daily. Demonic spirits are in this world and tricking many into a different belief system but you as a believer are called to serve God, love, and help others find the way to the truth.

When you speak out against wrong  you are helping restrain evil by engaging in the modern culture. You may be harassed, stared at, made fun of, mocked, jeered, and not understood even by close friends but you are not to be a wall flower when you see evil permeating the culture. Your senses have to be trained in godliness and this is done by study of the word. 

In this present day culture many are following the god of their own understanding and not the God of the Bible. Many listen to people rather than the voice of truth. My friend simply keep praying and keep yourself from slipping. One day all the sin will be taken care of at the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t lose heart.

PRAYER: Lord God at times it feels that mankind is the enemy but I know this world is in major warfare against spiritual darkness and it looms like a giant trying to capture and smother people. I pray for protection from this darkness for my family and friends who are far from you that you would be their light and bring them back to the knowledge of the truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

At Ease

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

This is a command in the military after you have stood at attention the commander or sergeant will shout “At ease” and you as a soldier comply. 

Oh how nice it would be in regular day to day civilian life to just be at ease. No fretting over business that is not any of your business. No worrying over the future. No trying to be ‘Holy Spirit junior’ in the life of your adult children. No fear of the nightly news media mongers. Just a sense of being at ease. 

This state of mind can be accomplished and is within everyone’s reach. You have to purpose in your heart, or in other words, set your mind on the fact that you will no ‘go there’ to places that bring on fear, meddling, and the like. As the sports maker Nike says “Just do it” and do it you can if you want to. Oh yes Satan will try to get you frazzled and attempt to steal your peace but you don’t have to let him so don’t. Stay on prayer and focus on the word. Ask God to help. He can and will. 

PRAYER: As the song 'Day by Day' says to "follow thee more clearly", that is what will happen when I remove the clutter from my thoughts and stay peaceful. I thank you ahead of time for the victory I can and WILL have in this area. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be A Seed Planter

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6

Sometimes do you ever feel nothing you say or do makes a difference and your little voice of speaking up for the truth is not heard? 

I heard a minister on TV share about John Quincy Adams the 6th President of the United States who wanted to remove slavery. Although it never  happened during his presidency later when he served in Congress he fought against gag rule. It was voted down time and time again. What Adams didn’t know was Illinois Congressman Abraham Lincoln who was in the chamber was moved by the passion of Adams so with God’s  help succeeded in ratifying 13th amendment to abolish slavery. 

The point of sharing this is you never know who you may be impacting by what you say and do. You think you are not even making a dent sharing about the Lord but down the road somewhere someone has picked up on something you said. Keep on being diligent. Keep on praying for those lost friends and relatives. God is at work. 

PRAYER: Help me Lord never quit and tire of sharing the word with others either directly or indirectly. I may think it is not working but the Bible says your word does not return void. Thanks for this promise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sticking Your Fingers In Your Ears

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32
Some people don’t want to hear the truth and it is almost like they are sticking their fingers in their ears so they don’t hear.

Has the worlds’ message drowned out the truth of God, the cornerstone, the way, the truth, and the Life? Mark my word and His, God will get the attention of those who are choosing to ignore Him. Society may say certain things are right but the word of God says otherwise. Satan is jumping for joy with those who cave in to sin. 

Where are you at today in your belief system? Have you compromised what you know to be true just because movies, television and the media tell you otherwise? There is the modern cultures way and then there is God’s way. You have to choose which you are going to abide by. 

PRAYER: The times we are living in present many challenges for believers. If you disagree you are called a hater when it fact there is no hate within you. Lord I pray for those I know who compromise their stand when they in fact know what is right. Give me the right words to say when someone challenges my moral stand. In Jesus’ name. Amen.