Tee Shirt Mania

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.Philippians 2:3

I am not certain because I have not travelled internationally but here in the USA it seems Americans have a love affair with ‘tourist’, catchy phrase,or tee shirts for sports events shot out of a tee shirt blaster. 

If you could design a tee shirt for Jesus to don what would it say? Yes I know he wears robes and sandals but humor me a bit. It probably would not say ‘I Love Jesus’ because he is humble or ‘I Walk On Water’. As a matter of fact he probably would need a tee shirt quilt made representing all mankind he loves. 

Tee shirts are fun and they can be very good way of sharing God’s word, a vacation spot, concert you attended but thing to remember my point being to let your life be your witness.

PRAYER: Lord use me to share your love with those around me be it by starting up a conversation about a tee shirt or some other way. Help me recognize those who are hurting and assist in some meaningful way. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hurt Feelings And Other Aches

 

 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37 NIV Bible Gateway

In your lifetime have you been labeled and called names sometimes by friends, teachers, those teasing you or maybe a family member or a person who can’t stomach your personality. 

Some of the glorious titles I have been called over the years have been space cadet, self righteous,  exasperating, narcissistic, energizer bunny, to name a few. Some titles are a honor and tribute and others downright hurt deep down. 

This devotion is not meant to make you feel sorry for me but instead to help realize how teasing sometimes affects people differently depending on where the person is at emotionally.  Why not try to find words of affirmation to build up instead of words that wound often fit a lifetime. Name calling is not cool. 

PRAYER: Father I choose to forgive anyone in my past who maliciously was ugly with their words to me. Also I pray for those who have been wounded by children at school, coaches, babysitters, children on a school bus or anyone who didn’t think before they called out names or titles. Help me Lord be careful with my words. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Plunder Hell, Populate Heaven

 

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.Matthew 10:28

 Pastor Chris Hodges of Church of the Highlands tecent message spoke of plundering hell and populating Heaven or in other words or in other words go about your day spreading light, love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and truth. Forces of darkness can’t stand those things. 

The present day culture does plenty to try to take mankind away from the kingdom of God. Often we humans act like we are never going to leave Earth when in fact this is just temporary as our final home is in Heaven, and it won’t be boring. You and I need to be doing all we can to live for the kingdom and to help entice others to do so as well. 

The enemy is a destroyer, liar, deceiver, hater, killer, thief, and you need to get in the game and let him know who is boss. Tell him he has no authority over you or your family. Don’t let him win. Stay on your knees and in your Bible as those are two of the weapons you have to destroy the works of the devil. Now go be bold and shout victory in the devil’s face. 

PRAYER: I am not afraid of the darkness because I am walking in the light. I lift up those I know who are caught up on the devil’s team and don’t even realize it. Open their eyes to the truth and Holy Spirit bring conviction. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Do Not Be Afraid

 

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

Fear can absolutely paralyze you if you allow it to. Many things can cause fear but many of the things you may be afraid of will never happen and even if they did fearing the outcomes is certainly not the solution. 

Your faith is being tested. God is not punishing you. You dare not compare to others who seem to glide through life with hardly any troubles. You do not know the whole story. 

Troubles are healers. Yes you heard me. You run to God like you never have before. Many people are praying and trusting and God has a mighty plan in store. He will use your troubles to help others in the long run as well as benefitting you whether you can see that now amid turmoil. Hold the rope, God has the other end! 

PRAYER:It is painful when you hear stories of people dying from diseases or hurting emotionally maybe even by something they brought on themselves. Pain is not fun but Lord I know that there is a silver lining to hurtful things that happen and I trust you for redemption. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Your Best Defense

 





We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV Bible gateway

Every day you wake up and face new challenges depending on what stage of life you are in. Many people who attend church probably think that is it for the week when in fact to be able to ward off attacks of the darkness in this world you have to stay in the word and know it. 

You can talk about right things and know what to do but you have to be obedient to the Lord and follow his teachings. Your best defense is to know and use the word of God to fight your battles. 

Satan is not interested in Sunday Christians who coast through life the rest of the week with no desire to read Bible and pray. The Lord is here ready to help you if you call on Him. Pick up the sword of the spirit(The Bible) and fight against the lies of the world. 

PRAYER: Father I love the word and I am ready each day to fight the battles that come at me by using the truth in the word. Stir up the gifts in me to help stand my ground against the enemy. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Bruising Words

 

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

Have you ever blurted out words without even thinking of how they will sound to the recipient of them? Hurtful, callous words. If you are on receiving end of a verbal backlash it can be shocking and  disheartening. 

Who messes up with our mouths?  You blast off emails or texts in a fit of anger without thinking. You hurt feelings. Your emotions run high and instead of stopping to pray and give thanks for what you have you upset the apple cart with ugliness and hurt coming from your mouth. 

I often have heard those we are closest to get hurt the most and also I heard hurting people hurt other people without realizing it. So my friend who have you been mean to lately. A family member, friend, clerk at a store, waiter? Stop right now and decide enough is enough and seek to let only good come from your mouth. 

PRAYER: I want to thank you Lord for the gift of speech, singing, cheering and just having vocal cords. Help me to forgive unconditionally when I have been a victim of a word battle and help me not to slip and be ugly myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Come And See!

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.John 1:46

You may or may not be familiar with the mini series entitled ‘The Chosen’ which is preparing for its’ phenomenal 3rd season. It is about Jesus choosing his 12 disciples and is a must see. 

Jesus from the moment he was born was scorned and hated. I like to say the dark forces of evil even back then were trying to take his life and discredit him. Jealousy and anger the most probable causes. After all He says He is a King and can work miracles! 

Unless someone is born again he or she can not discern things of the spirit they are absolute foolishness to them. Once they receive the Holy Spirit a transformation occurs and their mind is able to grasp things it never could. In the verse above, citizenry who were asking about Jesus commented,  “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” The reply of course was “Come and see” so the masses came, miracles occurred, people were set free from all sorts of things. How about you, do you want to come, see, and believe? 

PRAYER: Even today there are people whose minds are seared with hatred trying to do evil and be dictatorial in our free land. I know only you Christ can set them free. Help more ‘blinded’ people encounter Jesus and hunger for him like never before. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: The Chosen App is totally free. It looks like this