Love-Just Do It!

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. (1 John 3:11)

 

You are called to love one another warts and all. Love meaning unconditional love. Love for those hard to love and even love our enemies, people who don’t love you and want nothing to do with you.  

Love is God’s plan for his creation. If you look up 1 Corinthians chapter 13 there is wise advice for how to love. Love doesn’t mean you agree with someone but it means you are kind to them and don’t act holier than thou because everyone has issues. 

Try this experiment. Go throughout your day as you observe mankind no matter how despicable a person may be or how mean they treat you and say to yourself “I love you my friend”. Many have deep seated needs or things in their past that have made them who they are but things can be surrender to God. Now just go out and love one another. 

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for loving me even when I am difficult to love. I know you are the potter and I am the clay so mold me today into a loving representative of the kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Here Comes The Judge

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. (Matthew 7:1)

I have heard from a couple close family members that I was judging them or that I was judgmental. Ouch. I don’t want to be. If you too suffer from this I can imagine you don’t like that trait either. 

Time to break that stronghold in your life and if you start to judge or condemn another stop and ask God to intervene and set you free from that no so kind or nice personality defect. 

What if people stood around and picked you apart things like her clothes are ugly or that hairstyle is really old fashioned. Another judgment could be someone’s weight or life they lead. Just pray and let God work in your life and others and once you start doing this it will set you free, really. 

PRAYER: Lord I want to love others and I want others to love me as well. I don’t like it when a judgmental thought pops in my mind and instead ask for your help to break that nasty habit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Don’t Walk Away

The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.Colossians 1:26-27

Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life? You may attend a church or not. Maybe you are a baptized member of a church or denomination. But still something is missing. 

Do you feel Christ’s presence and do you experience joy? There is more to Jesus than just Saturday or Sunday but He wants you to spend time with Him. How do you do this? Reading the Bible. 

For many the Bible is a coffee table decoration to show you are a ‘religious family’ but to others it is the saving power of Jesus found within its’ pages. The Living breathing word of God. To get a closer connection check out the You Version Bible app. 

PRAYER: Lord I want to be able to know you better and to not get flustered by trials and things in my life and I know I need my focus to be on you. Help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I’m Blessed And Happy To Be Alive!

"Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7-8

Recently on a Sirius XM broadcast evangelist Joel Osteen says when people ask how he is doing his reply is my title today. I love it! Why wouldn’t you be happy with so much in life to be truly thankful for?

You can bemoan many things in life and today you my be facing situations that you may be very trying for you but in keeping the right mindset you will be able to cope with things better and keep the right attitude and not let things get you down. 

Our Moms in Prayer group first in Alabama and now here in Idaho gives a member who will be a grandma a blessing bank where each lady writes a blessing to the baby to be. The bank is a little Noah’s Ark one of the members found in a local store. I never read the blessings in my two granddaughters banks in 2017 and again in 2020 before giving them to my daughter in law  but I hope their mom and dad did and hopefully Amelia and Emma will one day too. These blessings are special prayers for now and the future. And whether read or ignored those blessings are still upon them. 

PRAYER: Lord help me be a blessing to someone in need either by an act of service or a smile or monetary if they need it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Forgiveness-Can You Do It

 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.Ephesians 4:32

Forgiveness is something so crucial to do in all sorts of relationships. Sometimes you forgive the person for hurting you but they don’t reciprocate. It hurts. But God wants us to forgive regardless. 

But why? I don’t feel like it. You know deep down you did something wrong or against what the character of being Christlike is and you know you need to go ask forgiveness for misspoken words you uttered in haste. A huge wedge has been driven and if it is with a relative it is imperative you let go of your pride and do the right thing. 

So what’s it going to be? 

PRAYER:Lord help me to humble myself and go reconcile with whomever and I pray for those who need to do the same with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a song about forgiveness: https://youtu.be/FMn0QNdiuGE

Armor Of God Does Not Include A Bathrobe

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV Bible Gateway

Pastor Allen Jackson of Mufreesboro, TN recently gave a message sitting in a recliner. The point was you and I have to get up out of our chair and do our part and know that the armor if God does not include a bathrobe and slippers.

God wants you to engage the world around you and sometimes it is uncomfortable. He doesn’t desire anyone not know Jesus but our post Christian world has done so much to get people mixed up about truth. You need to get up and stand firm in a world that needs truth.

Every day you have an opportunity to spread the love of Christ. One thing you can do is simply prayer walk an area of your community or nearby city. It simply involves walking and claiming the area for Christ, not bringing attention to yourself. I was blessed for 13 years to prayer walk in our Nation’s Capitol several times a year thanks to my standby flying privileges and proximity to DC. But it can be your neighborhood, inside a store, wherever. Just do it.

PRAYER: Today I want to be a light in a dark world. I lift up the lost, confused, those blinded by Satan to hear your voice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If Not Now, When? Stop Procrastinating

 



Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14 NIV Bible Gateway

Are you a procrastinator saying you will unpack boxes that have been sitting around for months maybe years. Perhaps you have intended to learn the ukulele but once again you never pick it up. Then there is that second book you planned to write. Call a friend you promised to call. These are examples from my own life but every one has something. 

What makes us put things off? Once you do the thing is begin it makes you feel so much better. Let’s say it is losing weight, going to visit a shut in, getting more exercise, finishing a book you have been reading or even putting on God’s armor daily to protect yourself from the attacks of the enemy Satan. 

You can start today to purpose in your heart to get the motivation you need to start and complete a task important to you. Check back with me later on my book progress. 

PRAYER: I am so blessed to be able to drive a car, see, hear, move, and all the rest. Use me to brighten someone’s day. In Jesus’ name.Amen. 

#BG2