Will It Take A Great Fish To Get Your Attention

 

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.John 6:44

Probably even non ‘churched’ people are familiar with the story of Jonah and the whale found in the Old Testament book of Jonah. If not read it for yourself starting in Jonah chapter 1. 

Mankind can play God and commit all manner of sin acting foolishly like there is no tomorrow but alas God will have the final say in the end. Satan is the prince of darkness and rules much of mankind who have rejected the Bible and rejected God. But God is way bigger and ultimately God rules and reigns. 

You may be praying for a family member who has turned their back on God. Hopefully it won’t take a giant fish experience to wake them up. It is heart breaking to see someone you love think they know better than God and to walk away from Him. Just keep praying. Pray for protection as they wander in the secular cultural wilderness that God will get their attention and Holy Spirit will draw them back. 

PRAYER:Father the world we live in has turned its’ back in many ways on believers. Guard my heart to stand strong and not quit fighting for those who are far from you and seemingly don’t care. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Keep Me Still Lord

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. Psalm  62:5-6

What breakthrough are you waiting for in your life or the life of a loved one? Sometimes do you feel you can stand it no more and jump ahead of God?

I personally find that journaling my feelings helps so I won’t make a fool of myself picking up the phone or texting and messing up what God has under control. His ways are not our ways. 

Also during this waiting room period you have to exercise the discipline of self control when it comes your mind and what you conjure up in your mind most of which is fake and not going to occur. Satan loves toying with you when you are in the ‘waiting room’ trying to be still. Now go and rest in Christ and trust He is working. Never stop praying. 

PRAYER: Father help me be still. I give my anxious wandering mind to you. I know you are working. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Letting Offenses Go

It (love) by does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.1 Corinthians 13:5

Maybe you have been wronged someway. Called hurtful titles that are not true. Had rumors spread about you or been gossiped about. It has happened to me and it is very emotionally painful. You can choose to dwell on it or let it go.

Seeking revenge or becoming bitter is the way Satan hopes you react. You have to press on. Stop thinking about it over and over and ask God’s help with that area.

Proverbs 19:11 says Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Are you sensible? Ask God to help you maintain calm and not try to be ugly. Only the enemy wants you hurt and trying to get back at who hurt you.

PRAYER: Lord help me be still no matter what. Help me not be daydreaming of hurts in the past or conjuring up scenarios in my mind. You love me that is all that matters. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Revenge Does No Good

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.1 Peter 3:9

I love watching cowboy movies on the GRIT channel and am always thankful I was born when I was and not at the start of the frontier. Seems to be common to have saloon brawls and if it stops before someone dies, the losing folks seek revenge. What good does getting back at another prove? 

In our modern times seems like getting back at someone is in the form of lawsuits.

Or revenge could be a cold shoulder, shutting someone out of your life, or calling you hurtful names. Worse yet would be divorce as it is the revenge that tears families apart.  If only there was true forgiveness. What good does fighting and proving your point do but to cause division on a massive scale? 

If you have been through any of this God offers grace and mercy. Be kind. Don’t hate. Pray for your enemies. It takes two to tango so the saying goes but ask God to strengthen you and give you peace in your heart and take away bitterness and hate. 

PRAYER: Today Lord I seek to be in the center of your will. I pray for any one who has been hurt by revenge to forgive. Guide me to show love and kindness. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

God Is Bigger Than An Unhinged Narrative

 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.Ephesians 4:29

Not all news media are corrupt but back in the day in the 60’s the news media reported the news without giving their biased slanted  opinion. Hardly the case today with media mostly leaning against truth and conservatives. This is not a political post so don’t delete me yet please. 

Similarly not everyone is your friend and many will try to hurt you with rumors or gossip. It is the truth that sets us free, period. Don’t be an expert fact checker using Facebook as your source and just because something is printed does not make it truth so be sure to keep that in mind. Don’t feel like you have to pass everything on. 

Pray for those who have hurt you. Carrying a grudge is like loading a 50 pound bag of stones on your back. Be kind to all people. Pray for those you don’t see eye to eye with. Be kind, did I say that? Now go and be a delight to those around you. 

PRAYER: I am grateful for media but sometimes I get frustrated with the clamor, chatter, need to know and just yearn for rest and Heaven. Guard my heart to not be ugly to anyone. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

When You Don’t Know What To Do

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."Proverbs 3:5-6

Some reading this would say ‘get a hobby’ but getting a hobby doesn’t solve all of life’s issues. Broken hearts still exist no matter how many hobbies you participate in. 

I guarantee you there are people around you that need prayer, a friend, a smile, a card, a phone call, a happy text. Whatever is on your mind today give it to God. This is a spiritual discipline you have heard me mention before. There is that word, discipline. Does that remind you of the military? 

Nevertheless as trite as it sounds God does loves you. He loves hearing from you daily. He wants you to know He is here to set free, redeem, restore, and renew no matter what is going on or how impossible you think a situation is. Also He is patient not wishing anyone to perish.(See 2 Peter 3:9). 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that you care for me even when I become speechless and don’t know how to pray. You know my heart and you are aware of my overwhelming hurts. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Salty? Bright?

 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Matthew 5:14-16 NIV Bible Gateway

As a believer we are to be salt and light in this dark world. The darkness can’t hide from the light.

All the stuff you see going on in the news concerning sexual gender confusion is all a plot from Satan to destroy the human race as he started doing in The Garden of Eden. Sadly the culture feels compelled to buy into Satan’s lies making those of us standing for truth look like quacks.

Never stop standing for truth and sharing the truth. You are like a salt shaker making people thirsty for the truth.

PRAYER: Father I pray for revival in our schools, government, corporations and yes even churches. Help me be bold in sharing right from wrong and protect me as I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.