Offended? Don’t Be.

 

A person’s wisdom yields patience;    it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.Proverbs 19:11 NIV Bible Gateway

It does not  take much to get a person offended. Say someone doesn’t speak to you at church, that’s it, change churches. A misunderstanding that is never cleared up and wrong information continually pollutes the situation making it easy to take offense. 

Perhaps you have been the recipient of someone’s offense. It is mostly a self centered thing where a persons eyes get off of God and onto self and feeling hurt. 

Everyone has a different journey and different issues in their lives that create tension, hurt, pain and often when over looked, offense can come easily. When you are offended do you confront or do you pray? Best answer would be to pray. 

PRAYER: Lord your love for me is beyond my ability to fathom, and you don’t want me to be offended but to forgive even if I feel I have the right to lash out. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#BG2

Don’t Push Doors Open

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:7-8

You have heard the phrase when God closes a door he opens a window? It is true. When you try too hard to push doors open things can backfire. 

Whatever it is you are waiting for keep praying, keep believing, be patient. Try to be still. I had a really quick neat answer to prayer recently that I I tried to push open the door it may have failed but why I waited wondering if anything would ever happen it did!! 

God hears prayers and He answers them in His way and in His time. Trust and obey and hang on. The doors will open. 

PRAYER: Lord I am grateful for the doors you open and the ones you have closed in my life. You know what I need better than I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

So I Screwed Up Again

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.1 Corinthians 10:13

Corrective action is needed in someone’s life you know and love and playing Holy Spirit Junior always seems to backfire. Praying is the way to get it done and the way to still have an intact relationship. Everyone probably has their own stories to tell as well and no one is perfect. 

Each of us has a sin nature, but it is acting on temptation that ensnares us. All of us have those weak moments. I certainly would not want to raise girls in the culture today but God can give parents strength and tools if you rely on Him. 

The culture sucks our children into all sorts of activity and child and sex trafficking is rampant. Pray for anyone you know being tempted to do wrong things they may see nothing wrong with. Satan likes to blind people into thinking certain things are okay and you have to be a certain way to be popular. You may not know of a person personally tempted by lures of the culture to fit in but still pray. Satan is alive and well on planet Earth. Stay strong and run your race to win. Keep your eyes on the cross. 

PRAYER: Father I want to ask for you to protect young people who get lured into wrong lifestyles and actions. Draw them close to you. Help Jesus be first. Forgive me for anyway my life displeases you. Help me be able to listen to those hurting. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Does Your Spiritual Life Need A Boost?

 

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (Psalm 42:1)

So you are a Christian? Good. If you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you? Ponder that. 

Often a person can become lethargic in the winter months and even after the shelter in place order I heard of several who never returned to church and worship services. 

Time to get excited again about Jesus and all things of the Lord. Don’t be so focused on the worlds problems or the culture that you lose the desire to fellowship each week with other believers. Maybe you never really had a church home. Now may be just the time to find one. Do spring renovation and cleaning and let it be done in your heart as well. 

PRAYER: Lord I know of people who are lost, alone, hurting or have been misled by someone and therefore finding a Bible believing church is no longer a priority. Bring people across their paths Lord to share Jesus with them and help reignite spiritually lethargic people. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Link to find Bible believing non denominational church in your area: 

Www.associationofrelatedchurches.com

Squirrel

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.Psalm 119:15 NIV Bible Gateway

Do you get distracted easily and maybe even have all the good intentions in the world to have time alone with the Lord? This is why I like DAWG days which means ‘Day Alone With God’ where you intentionally get out of your house, without your cell phone turned on, and find a nice quiet safe park. 

I have to admit I really have only had two DAWG days since moving to Idaho in August 2020. You have to make it happen and put it on your calendar. 

Don’t let distractions, squirrel, take your focus off God. Don’t let your mind start wondering during this time about prayers not just answered just keep praising him. 

PRAYER: Father I need you daily. Help me focus on one method of having a quiet time and not bounce all around unfocused and unproductive. Guide my mind as I seek truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

Travel Agent: Specialty-Guilt Trips

 

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.James 3:5

I heard author and speaker Sharon Jaynes speak of being a ‘travel agent for a guilt trip’ and I thought, yep that’s me alright. So I give her credit for my title. I don’t  do it on purpose I simply just don’t think out what I am going to say before it pops out of my mouth or rolls off my texting fingers. 

How many children, spouses, friends, or others have been hurt by guilt. You can say well I was guilted and I can’t help it but if you expect your relationships to grow and not disintegrate better get a grasp on learning how not to send people on guilt trips. 

Repent of your guilting and analyze why you do it and what you are trying to gain. Usually the only thing gained is hurting someone and not trying to achieve what you wanted. Ask God to guide your thoughts and speech. 

PRAYER: Today help me pray before anything. If I am tempted to say something help me make sure it is not going to guilt the hearer. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Truth Wins

 

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”. Romans 12:2

I have said it before over and over there is good and there is evil. Period. We are in a spiritual battle between God and the devil. Be aware and don’t just shrug it off.

As a believer it is serious to engage in warfare to save our nation and its’ future generations. “Becky don’t go getting political on me I read to be comforted not scared and angry”. My intent is to have you recognize that many of your problems and issues even with those you love dearly, originates with needing to engage the devil and tell him he WILL NOT win.

Be on your knees in prayer. Make it a priority not an after thought. Don’t slip up and start being hypnotized by the culture which is getting darker and making many people’s minds go numb. Younger people don’t see it as much but you who are wiser certainly should. The coy devil has made the word ‘love’ synonymous with accepting evil in society. All of us have sinned but taking God’s creation and trying to put it back in a science test tube won’t work.

PRAYER: Father my heart breaks for those who are being tricked and misled by evil and are succumbing to wrong thinking and wrong theology. Guard my heart and my mind so I know the truth found only in your word which never changes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.