Egg Shell Walking 101

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;  James 1:19

We live in a fallen world and because of that many bad things have happened. Not that they can’t be redeemed because they can, but the ugliness of life can attack at times.

One of the areas affected by the fall of man are your words. Gossip, lies, half truths, verbal abuse, cursing, boasting, you name it, but the focus for today is “egg shell walking” which some of you do with certain people in your life. If you don’t have this issue in your life then you are blessed indeed. 

You are very careful about what you say, when you say it and if it even should be said. Certain personality types will lash back and it is this you are trying to avoid.

The result of speaking without thinking many times is fights, broken friendships, misunderstanding, and unfriending on social media. Words are so important and they are a true gift from God to be able to verbalize things in your heart. Ultimately the goal is to be set free from the stronghold of egg shell walking and to relax and let God handle whatever it is. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I lift up to you the stronghold of misunderstanding due to misinterpretation of words that were spoken. I pray for anyone going through this to be able to be reconciled to whoever it is they walk on egg shells because of. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

24/7/365 Working For You

For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.Philippians 2:13

24/7/365 sounds like pretty good service if you find something advertising that. Guess what? The King of Kings and Lord of Lords is that and more. No off days. Always ready to serve, your spiritual first responder of sorts. 

When you think about that it is pretty amazing. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, God is there and is always ready to hear from you yet how many ignore him till they are in a major catastrophe.

How about it. He is ready around the clock  so are you ready to call on Him?

PRAYER:I thank you that I have an all access savior whose love is a prayer way. Forgive me when I treat you like an after thought. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Focus On Jesus

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

What has you all wrought up inside? Did you know when you don’t focus on ‘things above’ and succumb to your own efforts and plans you simply can not have peace?

As my friend Robin used to say “Simmer down now” meaning to cool your jets and relax and let God be in charge. Can you? Will you? Will I?

 You realize you are in a battle each day of God and the devil. This world is run by Satan the prince of the power of the air as he is called. He has fooled many and even has tripped up many who claim to know the Lord. He has used many to spread his false narratives and hate. Run the race daily looking to the cross and not to your own efforts. Trust Him for each day and take it a day at a time.

PRAYER: Father I thank you for the Bible and help me not listen to devil’s lies that I don’t need it daily. Help me to stop being too busy to spend time with you before turning on social media, reading the paper, or Tv news. I choose to put you first. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Liar!!

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.John 8:44

When devil tries to tell you things will never happen stop and say “liar” because he is!
Negativity is not from God but is from the pit of hell. Positive thinking comes from above full of grace and peace.

Truth equates to God and lying is the mantra of the anti Christ and the devil and demons. Sometimes lies are packaged to look good and almost true but that is deceit. As a believer your senses should be discerning or recognize when it is true or when it is a lie.

What you as a child of the most high God need to do is to get negativity, ugliness, hate, deceit, and such out of your life. Practice speaking and acting in a positive uplifting fashion. That will drive the devil nuts. Every day wake up and say thanks Lord for another day to spread your joy and love to those I encounter. Then go do it.

PRAYER: This is your day Lord. The devil may try his craftiness on me or my family but we are covered with the blood of Jesus and no weapon formed against us will ever prosper. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wasting Time By Being Still....NOT!

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

In our modern culture seems a person is made to feel guilty for resting or doing nothing. Down time is actually good for you. To constantly schedule activities gives you little time to stay healthy and also robs your time with God each day.

Recently I had a day where I simply let the day progress by itself. Now if you work full time granted this would be difficult to do. On days like this just enjoy the quiet unless of course you are a stay home mom and to those I say “God bless you for what you do” as it is best career field ever by far.

Try to break away from the world that makes you think you need to stay on a tread mill to have worth and value. Give it a try.

PRAYER: I am very thankful for every minute in the day and every breath I breathe Lord and I ask you to help me be a good steward of this time while on Earth. I pray for young moms at home around the clock to feel very valuable cause society would try to demean them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

You Judge You!

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1

Have you caught yourself judging another person because of their car, their bumper stickers, their tattoos, their choice of movies, the size of their clothes, the type of clothes they choose to wear, their body piercing, or their clothes? If all of us were honest the answer for everyone would be a loud YES. Did you know God does not want us dabbling in the judgment area?

First of all God does not judge any of those items I listed above so if you form an opinion because of someone’s looks you are way off base. You do not know their heart and God does, so who made you the judge?

When you feel tempted to pass judgment on another try praying instead because you do reap what you sow and what if there is someone passing judgment unfairly on you. It would hurt. Try to pray next time that thought comes to your head.

 PRAYER: Lord Jesus forgive me when I have wrongly judged another even if not out loud. It is wrong and you are disappointed because every human is yours even if they don’t acknowledge it. Teach me to pray harder and condemn less. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

No Cul de Sacs With God

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” Jonah 3:1-2

 Dead end streets, cul de sacs, and those bearing the infamous sign ‘no outlet’ mean simply you are not going to go any further you are at the end of the road. With God there are no ‘dead ends’ even though it may feel like it at times.

Your time of despair will end. God’s ways are not your ways. His timing is perfect.

The story of Jonah and the whale did end good when God gave Jonah a chance to tell the evil people in Nineveh to repent. There was no dead end and he had another chance to do the right thing. How about you do you know that your dead end will eventually end?

PRAYER: I love second chances, turn arounds, restoration of hope and you Lord make a way for it all. I pray for those I know who may feel life is hopeless and they feel no love for you. I prayer for your resurrecting power to resurrect those who feel at dead ends or cul de sacs. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Note: I want to give a shout out to Pastor Mark Pettus, President Of Highlands College for getting the idea for today’s devotion title when I heard him use it in a recent sermon series.