If Jesus Were Waiting At The Airport

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Titus 2:7

As I sat in a very busy terminal at LAX recently looking at passengers faces very few looked jovial. Delayed flights brought upset anxious expressions. 

I was thinking as comical as it may sound, if Jesus were waiting for a flight what would he be doing? Running to get coffee, buying a magazine, trying to get a better seat on the plane? No he would be shining light throughout the terminal as he sat and didn’t let small things upset him. 

You as a child of God have Christ living on the inside of you and are to be a representative of him. No secret service hidden believers in his world. Don’t take off your ‘Christian garment’ and chime in getting peeved with the others around you but set an example in love and try to change someone’s day for the better. 

PRAYER: Father help use me in the lives of those persons I may encounter on a daily basis whether my family, friends , or a total stranger. Help me show love to the unlovely. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Flying Through A Storm

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

It can be a little disconcerting flying in turbulent weather. Not to mention you are way up high bouncing around but it can be nerve wracking unless you trust in the Lord and just take a breath and relax.

Life has storms of another nature. Stuff that happens that challenges your peace. Unscheduled events in your calendar that throw a monkey wrench in your best laid plans. Sickness, bankruptcy, loss of job, destruction of home by a storm, flood, or fire, death, aging issues. How a person gets through life without Jesus is beyond me.

Today’s verse is the key to the storms of life and that is trust in the Lord. You can’t orchestrate things on your own. Having Jesus firmly seated on the throne of your life will help you so much better than the anxiety and fear the world offers. God is with you if you will ask Him to be.

PRAYER: I am so thankful for the perfect peace I can experience when life has storms and curve balls. I know you will see me through. I pray for those I know to learn to trust in and lean on you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Refocus On What Really Matters

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.James 4:14

If you are not careful you can be so overly consumed by this present world and its’ joys and sorrows you can begin to think this is what you are living for. As you can see by today’s scripture your life is a mere vapor. Here today, gone tomorrow. 

During these fleeting days, of which you have no idea how may you have on Earth, perhaps it is time to take a look at what you have deemed crucial and important in life and how they matter for eternity. Do you put too much trust and hope in this world, which will pass away, or are you a kingdom person?  

One day you will stand before the Lord and give account for your life. Keep that in mind. Those you choose to associate with either get you closer to God or further away from Him. Ponder that for a moment. Do you say yes to worldly cultural pleasures more than things of the Lord? Do you start your day talking to God or running off and not even giving Him a passing thought? Today perhaps it is time to refocus on the Kingdom of God. 

PRAYER: This world has many things to distract a believer and keep us consumed with things that don’t matter. Help me recognize any strongholds in my life that may be more important than you and to refocus my life on the kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Idol Worship

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

What is the first thing you do in the morning when you wake up? Pick up your cell phone and check your FB status? Watch the morning news? Read the paper? Take a walk? How about get God’s word hidden in your heart and talk to him before all that.

This culture is trying to remold those who are weak in their faith. Young people especially growing up in a culture that idolized selfies and cell phones. Look around you at those people glued to their phones. It is an idol. Anything you worship more than the Almighty is an idol. Ouch.

Maybe today is the day to examine what is truly important to you.  Do you care to get closer to God and know him better? It may require the discipline of putting your Bible on top of your cell phone and reading it prior to  getting online and into the culture that tries to reshape your thinking.

PRAYER: I need discipline in my life Lord. Often I don’t even give you a second thought and put this world before you. Convict my heart to put you first and help me see that things like my cell phone might just be an idol if I can’t live without looking at it constantly. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Carry On Little Soldier

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

Did you know each day you are in a battle for your very soul? Current events and things are swirling around you and as the culture changes you just shake your head. 

Do you realize we know the end of the story as it is in Revelation? The prophecy clock is ticking and some the current events happening are part of that clock. The thing is are you prepared for the battle raging around you in the heavenlies or more concerned with your Facebook status and daily life?  

Now is the time to take being a Christian and all it entails seriously. Are you living just for this day or are you preparing yourself and those you touch for a life in Heaven. Each and every day you have a choice to make. Love the culture and what others think about you more or love Jesus and do His work wherever you are. 

PRAYER: Oh I need you Lord each day and I need strength to not let this present world shape me but let your life through me shape the world around me. Guide me to say and do the right thing and cast off those things taking me away from the truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do Not Grow Weary

But  those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Do you ever become weary waiting for change to happen after you have prayed till you are practically blue in the face? Waiting is hard. Trying to figure things out on your own is hard. 

Today’s verse says those who ‘hope’ also meaning waiting. You have a positive hope because you trust in God’s sovereignty and His word and the promises contained in scripture. Sometimes the waiting may also be training you in a spiritual discipline. 

Don’t give up. Keep praying. Keep running your race to win. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord I seek you and know you hear my prayer. Help me to be still while you do your work and not ever doubt that all things are in control. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Deception Abounds...But God!

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.Ephesians 5:6

If you do not read the owners manual or instruction sheet for most things you will be clueless as to how to operate something. It is the same with our Maker, God. His instruction manual for life is the Holy Bible yet many even within churches don’t even pick it up. Oh the common verse like John 3:16 or Psalm 23 may be known but that is where it sadly ends. 

If you want to lead a victorious Christian life you have to have power from the most high. Satan would want to keep you ignorant and have you make excuses for why you are good enough or you don’t need to be ‘fed’ Bible verses. My friend your power to defeat the enemy is found within the pages of the Bible and if you fail to study it and apply it you will be like a lamp without an electric outlet, no light, no power. 

The choice is yours and yours alone. Listen to the enemy and spend no time trying to defeat the forces of darkness which surround you daily or purpose in your heart you will make time to read scripture daily and make it happen! 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for freedom to worship you I have here in the United States. Help me never take this for granted as many countries are in bondage to deceiving spirits such as Communism and socialism that prevent this exercise of loving you openly. Forgive me if I have ever put you anything but first. In Jesus’ name. Amen.