Who Is In Control Anyway?

 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”Isaiah 55:8

Do you ever try to orchestrate things in life to make them happen? How’s that working out for you? 

You pray, you wait. You pray and believe some more. Once again you wait. Why hasn’t that job promotion come? Where is the job offer I expected to get? Why don’t I hear from my adult children more? Why don’t people understand me? Many issues in life can be taxing on you and you may just feel like taking control but please don’t. 

Continue to trust God. Talk to him daily. He loves to hear from you. Is there a person you need to forgive? Do it. Do you feel anger or bitterness in your heart. Let it go before it eats you up on the inside. Learn to put others first and be a server not a taker. Soon you will be able to develop the patience God wants you to have while he works all things out. Just standby. 

PRAYER: I need you every day and every minute of every day Lord. When I try to control my life I turn it into a big mess. I know your plan for me is better than what I could ever work out. Help me be still. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I Don’t Get It! I Don’t Understand Lord

 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

 

Why does a baby die right after birth? Why does a child rebel after being raised for Christ? Why does a adult child reject God’s teachings and follow the world?All I know is I know many fine Christian people who have suffered immense pain on this side of Heaven and can’t really explain the why. 

Suffering ultimately will result in you drawing closer to the Lord. It can be used for God’s purposes. God never promises anyone an easy life. Stuff happens. At times the struggles can be used for God’s glory. You may recall a ‘tiny little sin’ in the Garden Of Eden which caused the fall of man and messed up all that God had planned for humans. Ever since then degradation has been blatant and intentional and God’s rule book is not being followed or is being revised by those whose sin is not that bad. 

You don’t have to let this world make you sad but you can help be a servant of God By helping others who are down and out. Sometimes when you do amazingly you feel better as well. Trust that if you have prayed and believe God hears you then be still and know God will see you through. 

PRAYER: Thank you for another day of life. Help me to look to you in turning my despair into joy. Thank you for joy which I can give to others simply by a smile. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

How Is Your Delight Meter?

 

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 NIV Bible Gateway

Do you feel delighted right now? Delight means great pleasure, happiness, to please.

In the Chronicles of Narnia the White Witch used Turkish delight candy to entice the children and trick them. I had Turkish delight once at a vendor at Pike Place Market in Seattle. It is good but could it be used for real to entice people to fall from God? Yes it is only a movie but makes you think.

Is there something or someone you take delight in more than you delight in God? Do you have the joy of the Lord in your heart? Not joy for a church building, a denomination, a preacher or priest, a format of worship but do you find joy in the Almighty God? Have you spent time with Him today or do you just wait til Sunday? If you don’t have delight in God ask Him to remove anything that is taking priority over Him and to create in you a desire and delight in Him.

PRAYER: Lord many times I have let other things get in the way of spending time with you. It is way more than just one hour on Sunday. Create in me a desire to seek you more than I do now. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Never Has Bad Days

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.Romans 5:3-4

Do you ever wake up and your mind is in the wrong place and you sort of are in a funk? Everyone has a bad day every now and then, but you can kick that bad day out ASAP. 

Basically the enemy likes to keep you feeling down and defeated because then you will not use the power given to you by Holy Spirit to come against forces trying to get you gloomy. Many times you have to get your mind in the right place and stop overthinking things or concocting scenarios in your head that are far from Holy and far from true. 

Try sharing some joy as you go through your day. Don’t allow Satan to disable you from being effective in God’s kingdom. Get your mind focused and clear and sit down and read the book of John in New Testament for starters. If you see a verse that jumps out at you underline or highlight it. Don’t be afraid to write in your Bible it is a book to be used not admired on a shelf. Get up and get going as you run your race to WIN!

PRAYER: Jesus I am thankful for each and every day of life. Forgive me if I have ever allowed Satan to toy with my emotions and make me feel like life would be better without me. First that is self pity and next I know you want to to shine for Jesus and not live for myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lift Others Up

 



I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Eph. 1:18–19a).

When you hear the word ‘lift’ what comes to mind? What I am referring to in my title is to lift the people up in prayer. For instance this verse would be an ideal verse to pray over your children, spouse, grandchildren. 

Do you have a place in your home you specifically go and have morning time with God? It is good to make it a priority to have a certain area and then to commit to doing it. In the movie ‘War Room’ the war room referred to this ladies prayer closet where she went to fight battles against the enemy. If you don’t do this then it may sound strange or if your particular religious denomination is pretty tame or formal then you might think I sound nutty.

It doesn’t matter what denomination you are you need to pray to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, not to a statue, not to Mary(sorry that may come back to bite me), not to a Saint, not to angels,  but to the creator of the Universe. In him we live, move and have our being. If you don’t know the Lord yet I mean really sincerely know him and love him and desire to spend time with Him then it may be time to search your heart to see if you have made anything else an idol over the Lord. 

PRAYER: Father today I hear your voice and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me. Help any persons whose religion has gotten in the way of knowing Jesus to cry out to Him today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing

“Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda].Matthew10:16 AMP Bible Gateway 

Many things in the culture are designed to lure people into a trap if you are not careful. Knowing the Truth and studying God’s word will help you steer clear of bumps in the road or earthly potholes. 

Following the world’s truth is a definite trap of the enemy. Not having discerning spiritual senses to recognize good and evil is another issue. For instance if you look through the lenses of the Holy Spirit it will shut the doors on many activities. Parents of young children need to be alert to ways the enemy can even work his schemes through television, movies, books and yes even in school. I don’t say this to be a ‘religious nutjob’ but to say the devil does prowl around like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour.(1 Peter 5:8). 

Stay alert, don’t feed your mind with constant news feeds and if you are able, and I think most of us can, put down the cell phones and enjoy looking at the beauty of the world around you. Make a priority to pray always no matter where you are. Open your life to the Holy Spirit to direct your path and keep you from stumbling. 

PRAYER: Today I choose joy over remorse and gloominess. I choose to focus on good and not dwell on the past or concern myself with the future. I choose to stay peaceful. Help me on this journey Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

In A Foreign Land

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.Romans 12:2 NIV Bible gateway

You don’t actually have to go to a foreign country where different languages are spoken to feel like you are in a totally different environment. For me moving 2100 miles from Tennessee to Idaho put me in a different place within my own country. From Southern to Western. 

Brother and sister if you claim to be followers of Christ you are in a foreign land as well. You abide or dwell here while alive knowing your real home is in Heaven. You are not to let this world change you but you are to change the world. Satan absolutely hates this and will do anything to get you to trip and fall. 

If not careful it is easy to let the culture indoctrinate you. This is why it is essential to keep your lifeline, the Bible, by your side. Many have the Bible App right on their phone so utilize it or get a pocket Bible. In it you find truth and can gain hope for the future. Today harden not your heart and if far from God cry out to Him to help you. In Him you have life everlasting. 

PRAYER: Help me to learn Lord that I am not to love this world or become too attached to things in this world as they are temporary. I ask you to help me break any strongholds keeping me from knowing you better. In Jesus’ name. Amen.