Help Me Lord

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.Romans 5:3-5

What are you going through right now? A struggle between what you know is right and what is wrong? Perhaps a fear of the unknown in your life and wanting to make right decisions. Maybe you are separated in your marriage or having a family division of some sort. God cares and He will see you through. 

Trials do help you get stronger whether you like them or not. Talk to God daily in prayer. Let Him into your problems and trials. He knows your heartbreak anyway so talk to Him. 

Are you stuck between God and the culture and deep down you know you are to follow God and not the ways of this world but for whatever reason you continue to cave leaning more into the darkness than the light. This world is not your home. Live with Heaven in mind and stand firm. 

PRAYER: Today I want to completely give you the controls Lord and you know my heart and my pain. Guide me through. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hang On My Friend

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

We may have just entered the twilight zone of sorts with friends and family who don’t think like us politically. It is sad and has sort of been created by our news media. 

My recommendation is to stay off social media and pick up your Bible instead. Half the stuff is fabricated anyway and to allow posts to get you in a frenzy and upset at people who don’t think like you is wrong. Why agitate yourself? Let it go. 

Be at peace. Whichever side you are on remember this. God is ultimately in control. Remember this is spiritual warfare get mad at the devil not a person. If you hate someone pray that God can help you see them through His eyes. 👀 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for your perfect peace which is available to me if I simply turn off distractions. Help me do that. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Don’t Blot Me Out Lord

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,but to save the world through him. John 3:17

Recently I shared pictures from 2017 Presidential Inauguration where I got to meet pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church and Betty and James Robinson of Life Today TV show. I was thrilled. I posted the picture and it was brought to my attention “didn’t  I know he was involved in some sort of teen sex scandal” and I did in fact know that but when picture was made he was a pastor in Texas and that story had not broken. 

I edited the picture taking him out and another friend mentioned to me would Jesus cut me out of a picture just because I had sinned. Sort of a comical example but no he would not. The people who shared it I think were concerned people might get wrong idea any time there is a sex offender story. 

Jesus came to set sinners free period. You and I both need redemption. Heinous crimes of murder, rape, and so forth do not keep you out of Heaven if you have been redeemed and set free. People involved in certain sins for sure need much rehabilitation and they need friends who won’t run away from them. Have you ever done something and people abandoned you? Lean on God. 

PRAYER: Lord I seek your face and my righteousness is like filthy rags to you and I know you love me and you love people in general. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hate Is So Easy

Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:20

January 20 was Inauguration Day in the United States and once again people took to social media to get excited that their man had won or to lose control with an angry spirit trashing anyone who didn’t take their side. For 21 Days of Prayer I had given up social media trolling so was spared from this barrage but heard about it. 

Why does there have to be so much anger? How do people get set free from such a rage? 

If you know anyone you are close to that is fuming right now pray that God will help them settle down before they have a coronary or stroke. Pray for our country and those who lead it. Be still, pray for those you disagree with as well. Pray that more people will come to know Jesus as Lord.  

PRAYER:Father I pray for a spirit of gentleness to come over those people who are in a rage or drowning in hate. I pray the love of God can infiltrate their hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

A Whole Lot Of Shouting Going On

 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."John 16:33

You can scream and shout at pep rally’s, sporting events, maybe even concerts. But screaming and being mean and ugly and getting in people’s faces is not a term of endearment normally. You hear about it mostly in dealing with politics. 

I was walking down Wilshire Blvd in Beverly Hills a year ago and unbeknownst to me there was a group of Palestinian Hamas protestors posted outside a Jewish building demonstrating. The Los Angeles police were there with barricades. I actually was taking a walk while visiting my great niece and trying to find a coffee shop when I kept hearing shouting and it sounded scary. 

This devotion is not to stir up feelings of anger between people groups but to say in your life when trying to deal with people kindness goes over a lot better than screaming. Love one another. Pray for your enemies. Step away from fights and be prayerful. 

PRAYER: Today Lord I thank you for your word and for the ability to stay at peace. I pray for any who are trying to stir up discord that they can come to know Jesus as their savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Last Week Of January

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.James 1:2-4

One more week left and January is behind you. Did you accomplish what you wanted? Did the month go slow or seem fast? 

Today is Sunday and I hope you had a good Bible teaching church to attend in person or online. Start getting ready for February by maybe journaling your thoughts about the first three weeks of this month. 

Did you face any challenges you will dealing with this year or are facing now? Today’s verse speaks about trials and how to react to them. Hang in there stay focused on reaching your goals with God’s help. 

PRAYER: Each and every day is a gift from you Lord and I pray you will help me face it with assurance you are with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

How Are Those Resolutions Going?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Proverbs 3:5-6

Each year it is a common thing to make a New Year’s resolution of something you hope to do that will improve your life. Losing weight is always at the top of the list. Maybe mark something off your bucket list like travel to Europe or sky dive. 

Where are you today on that resolution? What I do instead of a resolution per se is participate in 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer live streamed from my former church, Church of the Highlands,  in Alabama. Today is day 20. 

I recommend it wholeheartedly and you can get it on demand if you don’t want to do it live at 6 am CST. It is a way to get your heart and mind right with God for the new year and challenge you to get into the word and ‘pray the word’ more. Churches from around the world participate. Check it out at link I have included. 

PRAYER: I am sorry glad I have open line of communication with you Lord and love to be able to fast and pray for the beginning of the new year. Give me strength to continue. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Www.churchofthehighlands.com/21days