Keep Focused On Freedom In Christ

Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices.Exodus 34:15 

 What is the first thing you do each morning? Are you conditioned by ‘the world’ to check news feeds or grab a newspaper? To keep focused on things above and being free in Christ it is necessary to discipline your mind to do away with the things the media is trying to spoon feed you that most people believe.  

 Do you take freedom for granted or are you aware for several years now evil forces have been trying to purge freedom, Christianity, democracy, and truth from our country? Satan sends his demon spirits which in many cases start to drag down those people who were never really committed to Him but then these evil spirits also stir up brothers and sisters in Christ creating division. 

 Have your senses discerned and feed your mind on scripture and truth not worldly news whose mission is not to have you grow in Christ but many times to suck you into false narratives and give you a cocky hateful spirit. Pray for anyone you may know who has slipped into the enemies camp maybe without realizing the dangers.  

 PRAYER: Lord I have been guilty of getting sucked into morning shows that add nothing to my life and separate me from you. Give me strength to abide in you and your word 100%. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Breathe In,Breathe Out,Then Pray

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Psalm 107:28-30 

 Have you ever had a nagging concern over a situation that you let your mind get out of control to the point you start to lose peace? I know I have. 

Teen late getting home. Haven’t heard from husband who has been deployed. People losing jobs so you assume you will as well. Afraid you will get Covid 19. Haven’t heard from grown children and assume the worst. Concerned about nation becoming communist. 

 You can spend your life freaking out and losing peace or you can choose to trust God in the ups and downs that he will take care of things. Simply pray, relax, stay in scripture and try to relax replacing fear with faith. Breathe in, breathe out. Take a nap.

  PRAYER: I am so thankful that I don’t need to let the devil torment me with worries and use my time praying instead. When I feel the urge to let my mind wander help me run to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Forgive Even When A Person May Not Deserve It

"For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."Matthew 12:37

 Probably not a person reading this has not been hurt verbally or emotionally by someone, usually very close to you. Your choices are to fly off the handle and fight back or let it go giving person benefit of the doubt.  

 People start early with name calling, being bullies, letting cursing become their vocabulary and many hurting people turn around and hurt other people. God has to be the one to reach down and bring ultimate healing. Some who are the person hurting may come from a background where they were hurt with words.

 It hurts to be the recipient of harsh treatment from another’s mouth but unless you are in physical danger try to pray for the person who lashed out and don’t try to straighten them out but let the Holy Spirit convict and intercede.  

 PRAYER: Lord Jesus I know it breaks your heart when your ‘children’ treat others poorly attacking them with foul language or ugly talk. Convict people who may not even be aware of it and give grace to those who are recipients. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Do You Feel Tired And Withered Up?

 

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you.2 Peter 3:9

Some days do you feel like throwing in the towel sitting in a corner and having a good cry? I feel if you are honest all of us have been there feeling tired, weary, stretched to the limit, wondering where to go from here.

Maybe it is time to get rid of things in your life taking you away from God. Satan is the big discourager and he is the one who makes you feel worthless, confused, worn out and hopeless but he is a LIAR.

My friend you are called by God and have a purpose. He can use you. Sometimes you may never know this side of Heaven how he used you but he does. Hang on my friend. Read the book of Psalms, call a friend, above all pray.

PRAYER: You are magnificent Lord and you keep me running the race to win. I will kick Satan under the bus and refuse to believe the garbage dump he tries to put in my head. I am redeemed and set free. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click below for a song of worship to lift your spirits.

https://youtu.be/MvpjxfWrjzY

Thanksgiving Day Is Here...Do People Even Care Anymore?

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.Psalm 7:17

I find it very very sad that many people due to reeducation in progressive public schools don't even know about the Christian roots of Thanksgiving. They are too busy bashing Americans' treatment of Indians and trying to toss prayer out of the schools. Such a sad state for a country founded on God and having a distinct Christian holiday which now is often relegated to 'Turkey Day'. 

Our society can not hardly wait for Christmas as Thanksgiving is forgotten except for football and black Friday. One of the things I want to do some November is travel to Plymouth Rock and take it all in. If you are a parent, take time to get a children's book about Thanksgiving and read the story to your children. It may do you well to hear it again also. Don't make this day about parades, football, shopping and stuffing yourself with food but stop and do something a bit different. Ask people what they are thankful for. Tell the story of the Pilgrims. 

The Pilgrims were so grateful to be in a free world and start a new life without religious persecution but odd how anti Christian and anti American forces have infiltrated this once free country. There is no other country like America but evil forces are trying to put an end to that so really pray this Thanksgiving maybe even take time to say the Lord’s Prayer together at your dinner table. Don’t just shrug it off as another fun day. 

PRAYER: I am ever so grateful for freedom we have here in America and during Covid times even more grateful after mandatory masking and lockdowns. Heal our land Lord of this dreadful pandemic that has created an atmosphere for tyranny. Help me never assume anything and always give thanks. In Jesus’ name! Amen. 

Deletion

 November 23 devotion was deleted due to the offense of a reader and me not wanting to ruin my testimony or support of readers and create conflict. The purpose was never intended to agitate people but in this climate we live in in 2020 it is not hard to cause unintended division, if you choose to read it it can be found on my Echoes of Freedom page on Facebook. Thanks for your love and understanding.?

Comparison Is A Joy Robber

 

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

No matter what it is you are comparing whether it is vacations, your weight, level of fitness, house, time with grandchildren, talents and abilities, income, car you drive, comparing is a tool of the enemy. It gets you feeling unsatisfied and left out. 

God wants you to be grateful and content no matter where you are at in your journey of life. Feeling discontent means you are not trusting God to see you through and believe he has good things for you. 

This day choose joy,choose peace, choose contentment. Be happy where you are as God uses you in all sorts of places. Run and thank God all the time!   

PRAYER: Father forgive  me for times I have wished I had a different life or certain stuff that the world says I need to be happy. True contentment is knowing you so use me to help others understand that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.