Getting Untangled In 2020

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17
Here we are on the last day of 2019. Where has the time gone? Seems like it gets faster every passing day. This is the last day to think about what you maybe want to do different in 2020.

What do you want freedom from? What do you want to change about yourself? What do you want to let go of? What new things do you want to incorporate in to your life? This time of year is perfect to change things and make a fresh start. And when you say you will leave something behind and let it go, do it!

Now is the time to get untangled from the lies of the culture and tune into God and let the Holy Spirit guide you not the news media, magazines, TV, other people but truly in 2020 maybe it is time to go all in for God casting off junk that has weighed you down. What do you say friend, do you want to untangle yourself? Untangle yourself from the lies of Satan and run hard after God.

PRAYER: As a human I  mess up lots but God is there for me to pick me up and know that I can keep running to the cross. I can’t change people but God can. I give you my problems, heartaches, disappointments Lord and help me to truly make 2020 a monumental year for walking and running for the Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Miscalculations And Misunderstandings

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” Matthew 7:1-5

One of my favorite TV shows is ‘Engineering Catastrophes’ on the Science Channel. Two key things that cause failures such as collapses of buildings and bridges  are the two words in my title today. Those  can cause disaster in relationships as well. 

You miss cues or take something the wrong way especially happen when not face to face and dealing with texting and emails. You misunderstand someone and start making assumptions which are totally wrong. Your mind wanders and starts tying to figure things out which is a bad place to allow it  to go.

Relationships are very important whether friends, spouse, family, or co worker so communication is critical to maintaining a healthy strong one. Where are you at today? Do you need to go back to the ‘drawing board’ and allow God to transform you from the inside out and allow him to work in your relationship? 

PRAYER: Father God relationships and communication are key to being healthy in this life here on Earth. Help me think before I do anything goofy and put relationship in jeopardy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Void In Your Life

So then, being God’s children, we should not think that the Divine Nature (deity) is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination or skill of man. Acts 17:29

Have you ever heard the phrase there is a God shaped hole inside of everyone? Well there indeed is. Everyone was created by God and for God in His image. Not everyone acknowledges there is indeed a Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit but there indeed is. 

As you just finished celebrating the birthday of Jesus was He acknowledged or did you get caught up in commercialism and the other frills? One thing is certain it is a giant party atmosphere, people are kinder and more giving, and it is a special time of year. For others it may have lacked what they expected. Christmas evokes many varied emotions depending on a person’s circumstances. 

For those who have not acknowledged Jesus as Lord there is a void in their life. That void can be filled with worldly pleasures and pursuits, performance and manmade achievements but there is no real true joy or happiness until men and women ask Jesus into their hearts. Is your void filled with the pursuit of holiness or worldly happiness? 

PRAYER: Lord I cry out to you on behalf of those who are lost and wandering and who think they can do life apart from you. Some of these people may think they don’t need to go to church and are just fine coasting along. Help those people seek you in a powerful way in 2020 and for those who never knew you bring them to the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Pray For Those Who Grieve And Do Something

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.Matthew 5:4

This time of year is filled with merriment and Jolly Old Saint Nick but not everyone shares the sentiment of Christmas when their heart aches from deep grief. It is difficult to heal from grief and move on and it is a day by day process for those enduring this.

You may say “chin up friend things will be better” and that is never a good answer. It is best to just sit and listen. Most people I know like to know others have not forgotten their loved one but some are sensitive to this and don’t want to remember as it hurts too bad. Keeping track of the date of a friend’s loss on your calendar can prompt you to send something to them on the anniversary of the death.

No one understands why babies die, young husbands die when they were not even sick, some are healed of cancer and others not, a young person gives their life for their country, and so many more scenarios. My point is don’t blow it off and it takes time to heal a wounded grief filled heart. Be sensitive. Today don’t think it is someone else’s job to be a comforter. How about it friend?

PRAYER: Lord I know many people who have fresh wounds from the unexpected tragic losses in their life. Comfort them as only you can Lord and use me to bring hope to another who is aching at this time of year. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

All Is Well

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

Is it well with your soul or do you feel frazzled and torn in many directions? You can be able to say ‘all is well’ and mean it if you live victoriously and know God is in charge regardless of stuff swirling around you.

Make your speech positive. Don’t entertain negative thinking. Stay cool. 

Remember in the book of Job 13:15where Job says “Though he slay me yet I will trust him”? His was the ultimate account of bad stuff happening. Read it again and read to the end where the happy ending occurs. 

God knows the outcome. He’s got this. Don’t be moved by circumstances. Sometimes you have to step out on faith and just trust God.

PRAYER: I have had times where I wondered where the Lord was and why things were not progressing faster or maybe the current world situation makes one fret. I know God indeed has a wonderful plan and help me sit still and be calm in the meantime. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are You Too Proud?

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. – Proverbs 16:18

If you reach a point in life where things seem to be going pretty good don’t get all puffed up. Many verses in the Bible speak of pride and it is sure to be your downfall if you think you are almost more knowing than God. 

Numerous  accounts  in the Bible attest to those persons who got too big for their proverbial britches. When you accomplish something know that is it God working in you not you doing things all by yourself. Do you give God the praise and glory? 

Is there something you are too prideful about? The definition of pride comes in as both a noun and a verb and the noun is “a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.” Beware my friend of becoming too puffed up. Ask God to keep you grounded, pliable, and humble so he can work through you. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus sometimes if I do something good help me realize it is not me but you working through me to work for the kingdom. Help me to stay grounded and never get too puffed up about anything. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let Us Adore Him!

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.Luke 2:11

It is finally here. The non stop commercialization of Christmas can finally stop and now we can brace ourselves for horrendous political attack ads for several months but today savor this day. This is the day we celebrate the Christ child being born in a feeding trough in a barn in Bethlehem.

God sent His son then later His son died on the cross and was resurrected three days later. The story of a savior who is often rejected by humanity. This day is the one day it seems many seem a little ‘religious’ in that they know deep down inside there is some reason to be in church as churches often overflow this time of year.

What you need to do is pray for those people who reject Jesus to come to know Him as their personal savior. Also for the Christmas story to go on in our hearts and for the love shown at this time of year to continue for the other 364 days. For men and women to know that Jesus is indeed Lord and He alone saves them from their sins.

PRAYER: Father God I pray today in the midst of the merriment and partying that the real meaning of the season is not brushed under the rug with the Christmas tree pine needles but men, women, and children who have never known you can be saved and live for the kingdom every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.