Home Of The Free

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.John 15:13

Today is the day to honor Veterans. A veteran is not necessarily a retiree or served in combat but can be like some who serve in peacetime too. Anyone who gave up part of their life to the Armed Forces is a Veteran. Unlike Memorial Day which honors those killed in service to their country today honors anyone who served and was honorably discharged. 

Think about the every day freedoms you enjoy if you live here in America. Many of you have friends who immigrated legally to the United States for a better life. Wars have been fought to keep America a beacon of freedom. Recent acts by social media to silence voices cuts into the rights given to us by the First Amendment. 

Always be on your guard because evil people are out there trying to destroy what veterans served for. The Founding Fathers had a great vision and you and I are to uphold the Constitution and speak out when dangerous people infiltrate trying to remake America. Our currency says “In God We Trust” for a reason. Stand firm against anyone trying to weasel their way into public office who wants to turn this country into something you would not recognize. Pray daily and stay involved so you know what is happening. Don’t take freedom for granted and oh yes, thank a Vet! 

PRAYER: Glory Glory hallelujah His truth is marching on and I pray it continues to march on. I pray for those people trying to infiltrate education at all levels pre K through college to try to reshape minds of students against the American ideal. I pray victory over communism in America and pray many would be vigilant to recognize lies from truth. Also protect those active duty troops serving today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Dragging Stuff Out Of The Streams

 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Isaiah 41:10

Thoughts can float through our minds like leaves on a stream. You don’t take every leaf out of the stream so likewise thoughts need to be controlled. 

Wrong thinking can trigger OCD episodes and just irrational thoughts. Every worry isn’t going to turn into reality. You have to relax. You can imagine things that will never transpire. To be emotionally healthy you have to get your focus on something else. 

To be emotionally and spiritually healthy your focus has got to be on the Lord and His promises to you. You can’t let the devil drag up old stinking thinking and not reject it with a promise from God. Are you dragging up trash and sewage as it floats by in your mind? Take authority in Jesus name and clean your mind with God’s word. 

PRAYER: I confess I often let the devil take control of my thought life and I know better. I fight back with your word of truth Lord. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Get Infused With Jesus Love!

 

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4Sitting behind a Ford Fusion at a stoplight recently gave me another topic idea for my writing. How about an infusion of the love of God in your life!?You know He does love you with an everlasting love whether you feel like it or not. In the times we are in currently dealing with rules, lockdown, masks, social distancing you may not feel much like loving but that does not negate the fact that Jesus loves you. The joy of the Lord can be your strength and you can talk back to the devil when you start feeling a case of the blues or self pity. 

Let Jesus bring you his peace, freedom from fear, the joy of living. The enemy Satan is the one who uses his demonic powers to bring discouragement, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, hopelessness. He is the greatest liar and deceiver. Run to Jesus. Open your Bible and start reading the book of John in the New Testament. Ask God to fill you with his love for people and to use you to bring joy to another.

PRAYER:Father help me with my emotions when I start feeling like I can’t go on or I am worthless or there is no end in sight I know those are lies. I have value and worth and want to make a difference. In Jesus’ name. Amen. You 

Refresh My Spirit Lord

 

The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn. – Proverbs 4:18

Do you ever just feel beat up or like you have been shaken up? Right now in the times we are living in in 2020 it is essential to make time for the Lord and also a time for stillness.

Don’t try to figure things out. Be still in your heart and with your mouth. Doesn’t God hear me you may wonder as it seems things don’t change or become worse. 

Moments of refreshment come when you are intentional about wanting to spend time with the Lord. Just talk out loud to Him if you can. Refresh another by a kind word to them. You never know what someone may be going through. Stay strong. 

PRAYER: Father I need your in good times and bad and I need to be more consistent with time alone with you. I would never not brush my teeth so let my time with you be just as crucial. In Jesus’ name. Amen

New Adventures

 

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.1 Timothy 6:12

I am quite sure everyone is ready to go on a vacation or a new adventure. These isolated Covid times coupled with a screaming divided world and a heated close election have been quite enough thank you very much. 

As thoughts of self pity yearning for an adventure enveloped me one day I was watching Christian TV and saw a commercial for hungry half naked children in a third world nation and it made my ‘issues’ small by comparison. Really what do we Westerners have to complain about?Sure we have problems everyone does but it is how you handle them. 

Thinking of others and how you can show kindness could be one adventure. Get outside and enjoy nature. Turn off electronics. Pray. Finally don’t  lose heart as God still reigns. 

PRAYER:As a soldier of Christ I press on daily trusting you for each day. Everything will be okay and help me convey that to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Communication Can Be Dicey

 

“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”Proverbs 16:24

Communication is such a wonderful gift from God and the tools of communication as well. Through the years mankind used smoke signals, Morse code, ham radio, carrier pigeon to our more modern devices.

Alas talking and sharing but still you need to do so with caution and think before you speak. Have you ever been accused of guilting, talking too much, telling secrets, breaking a verbal vow,  judging,  lying, or gossip? You can see it is essential to use words with care. 

If you have hurt someone with misspoken words ask forgiveness and then be able to forgive yourself. Do a word study in scripture about the tongue, words, the mouth and purpose in your heart your words in person, on your social media, and on the phone will only bring glory to God. 

PRAYER: I am grateful for being able to speak. Help me as I seek to bring glory to you Lord and not be like the ‘world’. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

What Does God Want?



“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. " (Proverbs 14: 34) 

What is righteousness and what is sin? This recent election challenged Christians to vote their values. You should live those values as well.

Sin brings nations down. Righteousness sets them free. Men and women of perverse hearts have trouble guiding others. Let me just say that ALL of us have sinned but to live standards reflecting on what the truth in God’s word is is quite another thing. 

We as nation need to repent. We have slapped God in the face by destroying prayer in public schools, allowing the legal slaughter of innocent babies in the womb, trying to authorize sex changes for those unhappy with the gender their creator God gave them, turning  God’s truth into a lie and worship his creation but not the Creator, and finally saying two people of same sex can marry. Satan has blinded the eyes of many to include some believers who defend certain practices. So friend don’t judge others not living a righteous life but be their friend and keep praying for them. Keep looking to the cross. 

PRAYER:Father protect me from any tricks of the enemy to try to believe lies. Satan has no control over me and he cannot have my country or people I love either. Help the truth set people free. In Jesus’ name. Amen.