Amid This Turmoil Jesus Is Lord

 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.John 14:27

It is pretty easy to stay plugged in and peaceful if you can stop getting pop up news feeds on your phone or cancel your subscription to the newspapers that tend to thrive on chaos and controversy. 

Each day wake up and say “Lord I thank you” and then maybe get on your knees beside your bed if you are able and just talk to God. There is no magic formula about how to have a daily quiet time with God but to grow in Christ amidst the turmoil in this world it is essential. There is that Covid word, ‘essential’, and if ever anything were ‘essential’ it is time alone with your savior. 

What do you have planned today? Do you have a special place you can go in your house, dorm room, or apartment and get alone with God? Perhaps some praise music in the background or a good teaching CD. You can decide if you want to emulate the world and its’ craziness or choose to be settled in Christ? But you have to do it on purpose’! 

PRAYER: Oh Jesus my savior there is none like you. I praise your name for being my Lord, my savior, my redeemer, my comforter, my all in all. Be with anyone who is fearful today because of pandemic news overload and still their hearts. Guide each and every person reading to the stillness only you offer. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Help Us Jesus!

 

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  
(Ephesians 4:2, NIV)

The current political climate is right from the enemies playbook. Family members accusing other family members of being morons because of who they chose to vote for. Facebook turning into a boxing match if you dare show support for a particular candidate. 

My brother and sister when will the bickering stop? Only the Holy Spirit can change a person’s heart and arguing about politics only drives a wedge between relationships. 

Why not purpose in your heart to not hate and not to intentionally stir up ugliness. All sorts of rhetoric has gone back and forth by people trying to prove their point. Allow God to use you to draw others closer together not to divide and when attacked verbally to forgive even if not asked to. Matthew 5:44 says”But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I feel it is a good practice to not be putting this on social media. If you have to post something why not something cheery? Now go out and intentionally have a blessed day. 

PRAYER: Lord I want to be seen as a peacemaker not an agitator. I forgive anyone who has hurt me knowingly or unknowingly by misspoken words or Facebook drama. Help me stay closer to you by getting into the word first thing daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Pray Without Ceasing

 

"The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)

Are you a pray-er or do you feel like you really don’t know how to pray? Prayer is simply a conversation with God. No fancy language is required just say “Hey God it’s me Becky”...and then continue, or however you choose to.

It is so essential that you begin each  day with prayer. You may tell me you prayed for years and saw no results on a certain issue and I would say “press on” as God’s time is not our time. The Lord loves you and He wants to hear from you and you may say if he is the almighty he already knows but I would say go to Him anyway. 

The enemy Satan is the one keeping you being a spiritual weakling and tries to make you feel your prayers don’t matter. They do my friend. Luke 18:1 says to pray without ceasing. Don’t do anything else before you get up and talk to God. You can even talk while driving (eyes open) of course. Prayer is powerful and it DOES pull down strongholds the enemy has tried to erect. Don’t stop and you will see the glory and goodness of the Lord. 

PRAYER: I am thankful for prayer and for those friends and family I can pray with and for. Help me continue to press in no matter what. Even if I start to feel defeated I know the answer is at the door. Open my eyes to see the hurt around me to pray for as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pandemic Please End

“He restores my soul.”  Psalm 23:3

I am sure most of you can relate to  wanting to be restored right now. For weeks the world has been 

In the clutches of a world wide pandemic and many in the free world have just had about all 

they can take. Yes deaths have occurred, isolation has been prevalent on a major scale, families 

have not gotten to see each other except by FaceTime or through glass, and fear has gripped the hearts 

of much of society. 

Are you ready to have a restored soul? I know I am. This major world event has put fear and 

doubt into the hearts of men and women, boys and girls everywhere. Whose rules do you believe.

First you need to back away from daily news reports with the flattening the curve stories as all 

they do is feed your fear. Trust the God of the universe that He has this. 

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart it says in Proverbs 3:5 and all means ALL. Pray daily. Be smart, 

be wise, be respectful of others, and just keep praying for it to end. And in the meantime 

maybe journal of what this crisis has taught you and what things you will not take for granted 

again. Jesus is Lord that is what truly matters. Start and end your day with Him. 

PRAYER: I am ever so grateful for doctors and nurses who stepped in and took care of the masses

during this unprecedented medical event the likes no one really in America had seen before. 

Restore families who were at odds during this time. Restore harmony and bring peace to your 

world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Is Your Assignment?

 

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith. Romans 12:4-6

Do you see yourself as on assignment for God? What do you suppose it is He would have you to do with the time He has allotted you with on this Earth? 

Everyone has a different spiritual gift and it is finding that gift and using it that matters. Don’t go through every day just for yourself but somehow do something to impact the world around you for the kingdom of God. If you do it has a pleasant side effect and that is making you feel better in the long run. Selfish pursuits often end in frustration but working for the Lord and helping others leaves you with a good feeling. 

There was a phone company advertisement years ago that said “Reach Out And Touch Someone” and today in this Covid 19 era we currently find ourselves in touching is frowned upon so send a note, a card, some flowers, or a simple phone call. Go out each day and see if you can find a way to make someone else’s day a little brighter. That could be your assignment every day. I would say smile at others but behind the mask hard to see that beautiful smile. Today purpose in you heart you will be a light for someone who may be having a bit of a dark day. 

PRAYER: Lord I come to you today with a humble heart as your servant asking you to use me to bring joy to another who may be struggling. Forgive me for times I have neglected my spiritual gift and have gone about my own selfish way ignoring prompts to share your love with another. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t ‘Boot’ The Almighty

 

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.Galatians 5:24

In the subdivision I live in there is much new home construction going on and several contractor trailers parked on the street. They are locked and left there and ‘booted’ kind of like when a patrolman will boot a vehicle that has been stolen. 

Made me think of how many of us might put a ‘boot’ of sorts on Jesus. Just for Sunday one hour but don’t go crazy and take things too seriously like a ‘Jesus freak’. My response would be how do you expect to receive power and walk in victory going through ‘religious motions’ one hour a week. 

Only the Holy Spirit can draw a person unto Christ. Continue to pray for those you know who seem cold or lukewarm to things of the Lord. And examine your own heart to see how much you really love and are devoted to the Lord.

PRAYER: I want to never be ashamed of the Lord nor put other things ahead of my time for worship each Sunday, and I ask for a burning passion to let the things of the world take second place to the Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a powerful Message  in song:https://youtu.be/FA6lC40Dlf0

Get Ready To Rumble!!

 

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.Proverbs 11:30

No I am not referring to a wrestling match or ice hockey game but indeed the ‘main event’ which many think may be Sunday at worship services but really that is not the ‘big deal’. That indeed gets you equipped to go out into the mission field on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 

Due to Covid 19 and the curve flattening then expanding again meeting together in church has not happened in person much until recently for many but online instead. It is great to be nourished spiritually and it is necessary but scripture also speaks of not neglecting worshiping together(Hebrews 10:25) and leaving your first love(Revelation 2:4). 

This time in your life the mission field is Ripe for the harvest or in other words there are many souls yearning for peace, joy, and hope and truly only God can fill that immense void.  Are you strong in the Lord during this time or have you caved in so God can’t even use you in your present condition.  You are here at this time in history for such a time as this. Run your race to win and share the truth so you bring others along with you.

PRAYER: This Earth and life is so very temporary. I never know when I will breathe my last breath. Help me Lord to use my allotted time wisely to help bring there to know you and find the way to Heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

NOTE: Idea for title of my message came from Pastor Micah’s Carter, Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, AL. Many of those who know me as a writer know that I usually pick a catchy title before I even write.