Just Be Still-Really?

 

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”Exodus 14:14

Many places in scripture we are reminded to be still because God is fighting our battles. When you or I try to help Him along it messes things up and takes away your peace. 

I don’t know what you are going through today but keep praying. Don’t give up and keep still. Don’t start trying to fix things yourself it will always backfire. 

Download the You Version Bible Ap and not only do you get a daily reading and time to pray but there are many wonderful devotions on there on various subjects. Let God fight your battles. 

PRAYER: Today Father I thank you for friends and family and my church home. Help me reach out to others and not always be centered on self no matter what is going on. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Come On In

 

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?Isaiah 58:7

If a friend were to just drop by would you freak out and not answer the door? I hope not. Hospitality and friendship should be open doors anytime. 

Don’t concern yourself with dirty dishes, unkempt home, laundry not put away. Before coffee shops were the norm friends got together at friend’s homes. International coffee was my go to beverage at my late friend Luanas home in Illinois. We ‘celebrated the moments of our lives’ while our toddlers played. 

My point is you are to be able to minister the gospel even by kindness and love.If you worry your place is not good enough you will never let someone drop by. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for my home, my back yard, the friends you have blessed me with. Help me be relaxed and do things that bless my day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

What Did You Do For My Kingdom?

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have wenot prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:21-23NKJV Bible Gateway

Are you drifting through life without real purpose? How about your spiritual life? Is God your friend or do you leave Him waiting on a bench somewhere waiting to talk to you? 

My opinion is some faiths don’t teach how to be close to God or don’t even encourage reading the Bible. You have to purpose in your heart to read daily if you expect to grow. 

Also God has a plan and purpose for your life and it breaks my heart to see people fritter away their time on earth as if this is all there is. Some who do this may even have once lived for Jesus but somehow the devil pulled them away with deceit and lies. Where are you my friend. This Earth has pleasures but God has way more waiting for those who have made Jesus Lord of their life. 

PRAYER: Lord I pray for those people who have gotten off track and knowing more about Jesus is not important. Wake them up to encounter you in a miraculous way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Live The Laid Back Life

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2

Recently I was walking on a greenway in a high end area of Boise where many condo’s are under construction facing the Boise River and a sign advertised ‘Live the Laid Back Life’ as if somehow forking over a million bucks for a river view was going to make you feel laid back and all your issues and problems in life would disappear.  

Temporarily human goodies make you feel some relief but if deep down you have something in life that needs to be dealt with moving to a luxury condo won’t make it magically disappear. Many drown problems in drugs, alcohol, internet and none of those will make your issues go away but will exasperate them. 

What are you struggling with today? Have you spoken to God yet? I suggest to begin your day on your knees if you can physically get on your knees and put the phone away and cry out to God. Let Him hear what burdens you and ask Him to give you strength to be still in the journey. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord each and every day my heart yearns for you like after walking a dry and weary land. You alone can lead me beside still waters. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do You Overthink?

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1

Your mind can become a haven of fear and doubt if you have a personality trait of over thinking everything. It is easy to do if you don’t employ the spiritual fruit of self control. 

When your mind starts to get on a subject you have been trying to conquer I suggest going to get your Bible and start reading in the book of Psalms on the Old Testament. Just focus on the words and less on your drifting conjured up thoughts. 

If you have a real problem with overthinking that is interfering with your life you may need the help of a licensed Christian therapist. Pray and seek god first and foremost. 

PRAYER: Lord I so much want to have my thoughts centered on you not silly things I can’t control. Help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Remembering Those Who Sacrificed Their Life For America

Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Memorial Day is a solemn day that I feel businesses shouldn’t take advantage of by having sales like “buy a sofa honor your grandpa who died in the war” just doesn’t get it. This is the day to go to a military cemetery and honor those who died in service of our great nation. 

Many use the day to honor and respect all deceased but the true reason for this day is to pay tribute to our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who gave their all to keep Americans free and keep our homeland free from all enemies both foreign and yes even domestic. 

Freedom is truly not free. Keep that in mind. My prayer is schools will not lose sight of the valuable lessons and how we have freedom because of the brave men and women who answered the call to serve some at the expense of their own life. The flag still stands for freedom. If you have not been to Washington,  DC make travel plans to go there and visit the monuments to this nation. 

PRAYER: Lord today I say thanks for America. I say thanks for freedom. Help people here truly stop and think what it means. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: Click link for a great video on why we observe Memorial Day. It is not to buy a sofa, get a new car, or go to the lake.

A Brief History of Memorial Day Traditions | Memorial Day | Drive Thru History

https://youtu.be/NOwADSw36Zo?si=M04DqkYSBOb7fKLG

DON'T QUIT

 

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!1 Chronicles 16:11

Today after a very short 2 mile hike I was at coffee shop and ran into a group of road bikers who were 70+. Wow. Encouraged me. As long as God has blessed you with strength keep going. 

And in life in general don’t have a quitter attitude but charge on to greater heights no age limit. Now if you have physical limitations of course some things may have to be shelved but for the most part get out there, eat right, read your Bible, get rest, and try to stay positive. 

Whatever you have to do do it with gusto and a “I can do this” attitude not in a smarty pants way but in confidence giving glory to God. Now go seize the day. 

PRAYER:Help me Father to press on for what you gave me to do giving thanks. In Jesus’ name. Amen.