Give Me A Break!

 

Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.Romans 13:8

Doesn’t the title today wreak of a sarcastic comment someone may make when they are fed up with something or feel like they are mistreated?It certainly doesn’t reflect love. 

Do you feel you deserve a break from constant nagging, irritating people, rude clerks, little petty annoyances?  Instead of feeling like the high and lofty one and treating others with disrespect stop for a moment and simply give thanks.  

Today’s verse speaks of loving one another, period. Maybe it is time if you suffer from treating others poorly to first be aware of it and second to go and ask forgiveness or don’t do it in the first place. Why not try to end this month by being kind even when you would rather scream. 

PRAYER: Once again Lord our mouth which is a valuable asset can also turn into a weapon when it is used to degrade or demoralize others. Convict anyone reading if they need help in this area and help pray for those I may know who are unaware of this trait. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Relaxed Contentment

Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord has spoken! Who can prophesy? Amos 3:1

I am writing this devotion on the anniversary of the horrific Islamic terror attack on America and was thinking how to many, especially survivors of the towers and family and friends left behind, it is always a fresh wound. But have you  become complacent once again even during Covid or are you vigilant and realizing it is not time to relax?

As Covid rules continue it has become a 2020 we will never forget. Take a step back and see how there has been a slow drift back to political correctness apparently not remembering what happened that day. We become like a frog on a stove in a pan of cold water and slowly the heat is turned up till the frog is cooked and dead.

Friend as a believer it is necessary to stay in the word and on your knees whether you feel like it or not. Find a good life giving Christian radio station to listen to during your day. Keep off the news and pray for the news media. Prayer walk wherever you can for your neighborhood, schools, city leaders, and even pray for misguided Anti-fa and Black Lives Matters protestors. God is on the throne. He does not want us to just live for ourselves but to stay engaged and prayerful.

 PRAYER: I am so glad I know God is still on the throne. Help those I know not forget the lessons of 9-11-2001 and stay vigilant pursuing freedom and democracy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Burden Carrier??

  

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Hey friend how you doing in what I wish were the home stretch of Covid 19? It’s been tough, scary, sad, and confusing. 

Don’t be afraid to go to counseling. Don’t be afraid to confide in a trusted friend. These last few months for the Western world have been surreal for sure. Deaths have occurred but the freedom we have been used to us been partially removed. 

Good news! God is on the throne. He is Almighty, Sovereign, Invincible. There is nothing to fear. I recommend as I frequently 

do to keep the network news off which adds fuel to the already emotional fire. Newspapers too. The only headline you need to know is ‘God Loves You.’ Help others and therefore help yourself. 

PRAYER: I am so thankful that God has me and this Covid did not take Him by surprise. Thank you for carrying my burdens daily. I lift up anyone who is struggling to have peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

When You Are In A Hole Stop Digging

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

I have my husband to thank for this title. Talking about not a physical hole but one maybe caused by your words. Stop, put the shovel down and give it to God.

Time to trust God and not your own self efforts to change things. Your words have you backed into a corner and the only thing left is for you to turn to God. 

What have you ended up in a hole over? Talking too much at wrong time. Not waiting for God’s timing. Thinking you alone can resolve a situation.Whatever it is time to be still, be calm, put down the phone, pick up a journal to record your thoughts , and read your Bible and pray. 

PRAYER: Lord I come to you for a renewed heart and the ability to turn off the flow from my mouth when it is only hurting me and digging me deeper. I trust you to be the healer and deliverer over things I have messed up. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pipe In Some Christian Praise Songs To Riot Zones

 

I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.Psalm 9:1

Music has power and Christian music even more power.  When watching the latest attack on our brave law enforcement officers in LA I was thinking what if we got some loud speakers and piped in some awesome praise and worship music and see if anyones'  heart would be changed or would anyone walk away, would anyone repent and give their lives to Jesus?

It is hard to be ugly with praise and worship going on. To silence evil you have to do good. Do you ever wonder if these rioters even have a concept of evil or if Satan has tricked them to get people on his side? 

My friend don’t stoop to ugliness too on social media but seriously lift up these hurting lost souls who need a savior. Ask God to intervene to guard those who protect us often at the expense of their own lives. 

PRAYER:I need you Lord each and every day. Surround me with peace to be able to pray for hurting people trying to hurt others. Help me Lord to pick up your word instead of the remote control. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a song of praise.https://www.bing.com/search?q=above+all+power+song&form=EX0023&PC=APPL&shtp=GetUrl&shid=971e12d0-4da8-4240-80af-09d6d22e716d&shtk=QUJPVkUgQUxMIGJ5IE1pY2hhZWwgVyBTbWl0aCBMeXJpY3M%3D&shdk=VmlkZW8gY29weXJpZ2h0IFlvdXR1YmUgVXNlciBJRCBib2JmNzI0NTAu&shhk=cDXvnX%2BrYbCxL8TfZmYxemquImbuWZ5GwszI4a7u%2FZw%3D&shth=OSH.V%252BNGjjDMWIPcnlnmncOuJw

Ouch! Stop Those Ugly Words!

 

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37

Words can make or break a person and everyone has fallen short at one time or another in the way they talk. Cussing, name calling, lying, arguing, gossip, verbal abuse, bullying, ridicule are some negative forms of speech and praise, kindness, affirmations, love, and encouragement would be in the positive kind.

There is a verse in James that asks the question can salt and fresh water both come from same stream and then goes on to say neither should good and bad words flow from a believers mouth.(See James 3:10-12). Believers need to constantly be overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit and get into the Bible to fill your tank with good things. If your tank isn’t full of good things and you follow the ways of the world more than the ways of God naturally you may slip up.No one is perfect except God.

My friend if you have belittled someone or said words maybe your human side said deserved ill treatment then you need to muster up the courage to ask for forgiveness. Don’t use your mouth as a weapon but to sing praises to the most high God.

PRAYER: Father it is so hard to control my tongue at times abs so easy to get mad at someone who belittled me with their mouth either directly or through social media. Help my words by few and let them bring glory to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Start A Good Habit

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverancethe race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

What is it you at procrastinating about? Scheduling a daily quiet time.Exercise. Learning a new skill. Cooking healthier. Finding a life giving church home. Making friends. 

Every good habit takes about 21 days to have it locked in your brain. You have to commit and be intentional about what your goal is. Wishing it into existence won’t work.  Say it is knowing God better and committing to daily quiet time. The simple fact of going to church one hour doesn’t cut it for intimacy with the Savior. 

Start in the New Testament reading Matthew. A couple chapters a day. There are many online Bible studies available. The enemy will provide you with every excuse in the book to be lethargic. Do you want to know where to go in the Bible for comforting yourself and others? Then you have to study. 2020 has been a challenge but don’t allow that to be your quitting point but alas reach out and decide this is going to be a race you will definitely win! 

PRAYER: I choose this day to stop making excuses for things I need to do such as getting closer to God. Help me Lord as I seek to get rid of distractions keeping me from you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.