Don’t Be Ashamed Ever!

 

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."Mark 8:38

Recently I met up with a new friend I had never met before and not wanting to come off too preachy I left my ‘Immeasurably More Ephesians 3:20’ bracelet at home. I still had on my ‘Pray First’ wrist band though. But what possessed me to hide my light under a basket so to speak?

It was the enemy. I wear that bracelet all the time and if someone asks me about it I give them one to share the ministry. Right from the get go my new friend mentions prayer and I was so mad at myself for allowing Satan to lie and manipulate me. 

Be yourself is what I always say then here I cower embarrassed to share this ministry. I did eventually share the ministry and put a bracelet on her. Turns out we had many things in common to include writing. Why should I care what people think but it was tricky as it was my son and his friend who arranged this meet up for two ladies who both had not had much contact with anyone. They thought we would hit it off. We did.I learned a valuable lesson and that is shine for Jesus brightly whoever you are with. Satan is the loser in this encounter. 

PRAYER: Thankyou Lord for the ability to witness to those who may or may not know Christ. Forgive me for acting afraid as I miss opportunities to share when I do hide my bracelet. Give me courage. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Want a bracelet of your own contact www.Hopelifters.com

The Rest Of The Week

 

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23

Are you a ticket puncher in that Sunday you were taught to go to church so you go out of habit. Check that block off as your ‘spiritual duty’ is filled for the week. Not really. 

Sunday starts on Saturday and continues after Sunday. My heart aches for those people who could care less if they made it to church. In their mind they are good enough, haven’t committed any crimes so surely God has a place for them in Heaven. Many people really think this way and sadly it is not accurate. Some think they don’t need to be in a building to show God they love him. 

Worshipping the Lord is something you desire to do when you truly love the Lord. Maybe you have been mad at God over something not even his fault or perhaps doing fun things on Sunday is more a priority and deep down you know you need to be back in church. No one is stopping you except Satan. He doesn’t want you in a dynamic church cause you might actually want to return and start hungering for Christ. 

PRAYER: I pray for anyone who knows they need a life with Christ. Maybe they can’t find their Bible and don’t even know how to begin reading it. Lead many to find you and be set free Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Devil Shut Up!

 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.1 Peter 5:8

Guess where negative thinking comes from? It certainly is not from God. 

Recently I talked to a friend who thought God was disappointed in her. I told her no way but that God loved her and she was making an impact in peoples lives. I further said that when that type negative thinking came up it was from Satan and to tell him to shut up! Quote scripture to him. 

You have to take up the armor of God daily to ward off attacks of the enemy who hates scriptures being thrown at him. Tell Satan you are a child of God and covered by blood of Jesus and no weapon in his puny arsenal will hurt you. Tell him you are redeemed. Go and enjoy life now! 

PRAYER: Lord I need you 24-7 and thank you for being there. When the enemy tries to lie to me I choose to tell him he has no authority over me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click here for a song of worship: 

https://youtu.be/yObgZMWzPCI

The Pursuit Of The Almighty

 

“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”2 Corinthians 5:8

Do you love the Lord or do you love a denomination or a church building?Simple question which some are baffled by. Just ponder that for a few moments. 

Heaven is not going to be broken down into sections by denomination. Many who expect we die and poof just go there will be sadly surprised. Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when you breathe your last breath you will be instantly in His kingdom? 

Are you making pursuit of the Savior a daily occurrence and by this I mean do you hunger and thirst for His word? If not why not? Christians should want to read the Bible as there is where truth and power come from. Take a few moments and let God hear from you. Yes talk to Him, that is what prayer is. Have a beautiful day and know God loves you. 

PRAYER: Your words being life and I pray for anyone I know who is lost and confused or stuck in a denomination that brings no life, joy, and truth to them to be led to a church that does. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for dynamic worship song:

https://youtu.be/fLNvHIWVnpE

Then Comes Monday

 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.1 Timothy 6:11

So on Sunday you either worshipped somewhere to Jesus or worshipped elsewhere in an activity. Many punch a ticket so to speak that Sunday church is over for another week. Ah but is it? 

It is never supposed to be over but to be a part of your life the other 6 days. You should have a devotion book to read followed by scripture maybe some praise and worship music. I have included a powerful song of worship at end of this devotion. 

The problem for many is they have made a commitment to religion or a denomination but not to Jesus and God. It just becomes something you do but not a way of life for you. In other words you may be ‘religious’ but don’t really love or know Jesus. I was there once so I know. Let each day be just as important in your walk with the Lord. 

PRAYER: Lord I come to you on behalf of many who never really made a commitment to follow you daily. Many are fooled by teachings that don’t look me up with God’s word. I pray for those who need courage to find a life giving church that loves God and loves people. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link and listen to powerful song of praise. If you can shut your eyes and lift your arms up like you are truly worshipping the Lord. 

https://youtu.be/DXDGE_lRI0E

The Cure

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

When you get prescribed medicine you are intended to take it to treat symptoms and to get well. There was a time I ran out of an allergy medicine and I itched like crazy and was sneezing. Upon receiving it I was a brand new person.

Did you know the Bible is your spiritual medicine to help you grow in Christ yet how many ignore it, let it gather dust, and have little joy in studying it? There are so many dynamic apps to assist you in hungering and thirsting for Christ and good morning and evening devotion books to guide you as well. 

Don’t just be a Christian in name only with no power to defeat the enemy. Dive into the word, get planted in a spirit filled church and you will be lifted up above your enemies. 

PRAYER: Lord I love you and I need you in my life Daily all through the day. Help my thoughts be on things above. If there is any wickedness in me direct me to lay it at the foot of the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Baseball, Golf, Horse Races, NASCAR, The 500, When Is There Time For Jesus?

 

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Luke 12:34

At the beginning  of the year after football there was the Olympics, then Stanley Cup, next came March Madness, then the start of baseball season. When is there time to give Jesus time? Many sports at non professional level often require children and teens to play on Sunday. It is as if the only time anyone recognizes it is Christmas and Easter. 

Can sports become an idol or are they already an idol in your life. If you spend a good portion of your waking time when not at work centered on sporting events there may a chance you have placed it very high on the priority list. Does it ever happen the same time as church? Then what? 

What I love to see is when a professional athlete is not ashamed to acknowledge Jesus as their savior. Kurt Warner depicted in the recent movie ‘American Underdog’ had a faith in the Almighty. Tim Tebow as well and many many others. Scottie Scheffler this years Masters champion is a believer. So refreshing to see good role models after all those who disrespect America and God. Follow the Lord not a sports hero or too many events putting God in second place. 

PRAYER: Lord I am grateful for the talented individuals gifted with abilities in so many sports. Help me never to idolize them or to occupy the Sabbath just watching TV. In Jesus’ name. Amen.