Hurting Hearts

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18 

Everyone has experience heartache before for various reasons. No one is immune. Maybe the reason for your heartache seems trivial compared to say someone who just buried their child. But all pain is real and God cares. 

What has your heart hurting? When you hurt if you can try to find a way to help another person you too will receive a blessing and maybe joy. 

Whatever burden you may be carrying try to find a trusted friend or family member to share it with. I say ‘trusted’ because you don’t want to share details of something then hear about it in a gossip circle. In Moms in Prayer we have a motto ‘what’s prayed in the group stays in the group’. 

PRAYER: I pray for those people who need a prayer partner to share life with. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I’ve Never Prayed For Robots Before

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians  4:6

Do you have an active prayer life? Do you know you can pray for anything? In the movie ‘War Room’ Miss Clara character played by actress Karen Abercrombie had a true heart for crying out to God in a literal prayer closet she affectionately called her ‘War Room’ as it is there she went to war against demons of darkness and cried out to God for so many things. 

She later had a small role in the film ‘The Forge’ where she made the comment which is today’s title. It was about a factory needing to meet quota to win a contract and yes Miss Clara cried out for the robots and the people who programmed them. 

What or who do you need to go to prayer for? Is prayer an after thought or is it vital everyday? There are prayer apps that you can get to help you. You can journal prayers or put them on sticky notes on your closet wall if you have a space for your own ‘prayer closet’ war room. Now go have a prayerful day. 

PRAYER: Father when my heart is groaning or breaking help me not forgot to go to you in prayer. I lift up all those I pray for who need you in their life or back in their life. You know who they are. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: I highly recommend both movies I mentioned in this devotion. ‘War Room’ and ‘The Forge’ both products from The Kendrick Brothers and Sony Pictures. 

Work Hard

“Every man also to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them, to accept his lot and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God”Ecclesiastes 5:19

Labor Day was first celebrated in the US in 1894. Started by trade unions and labor movements to celebrate work. Work is good. If you don’t work you don’t eat simple as that. 

Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Labor Day itself is a secular holiday celebrating work designed by God. Imagine had God not put ideas in man’s brain about how to build and create things what a shambles we would be in. 

As believers you serve others through your work. The ability to work is a gift from God. Jobs are a gift from God. Initially after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden came toil but all in all mankind can prosper for himself and help others through his labors thanks to God. So if you have a job be thankful. 

PRAYER: Thanks for each and every hard working person who makes up the labor force and for prospering America so we in turn can help the less fortunate. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hit Pause-Ponder God

 “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”Psalm 119:15

Ah the good ole days. For many of us over 50 we can understand that. Before technology took over and everyone was carrying their portable life saving device everywhere, aka cell phone. Maybe it is time for a pause of your life and reflecting and pondering on what God has done on your life. 

No televisions, no phones, no gaming devices, no checking social media  just you and God maybe your Bible and a notebook. Think of the blessings in your life and push away any negative thinking that might try to interfere with pondering good things. 

Try to sit and be still and give thanks. 

PRAYER: Father I choose to eliminate distractions to include distracting negative thinking and rest in your peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Upscale Jesus-Say What?

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”Romans 5:8

Humans like to be made to feel special treated like royalty in their pampered upscale establishments and brand name clothing but will you find Jesus hob nobbing there amongst the elite and famous. Yes and no. 

Jesus first is everywhere.  He is with the homeless man under the bridge. He is with the widow who doesn’t know which way to turn. He is with the prostitute. He is with the alcoholic. He is with the drunkard. 

Sometimes the more you have materially the less you care to need or want a relationship with God but he is always knocking on the door of your heart you just have to answer. (See Revelation 3:20). It is God who gives the power to get wealth just don’t forget to share it with others and those less fortunate. If you are blessed don’t spend it all frivolously but share with others. 

PRAYERS: Father I give you my life help me to listen and follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Patience

Wait for the Lord;   be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.Psalm 27:14

Just how do you get patience? It is so very hard to not jump ahead of God’s plans and orchestrate your own but so very heart warming when you have waited and see a miraculous result. 

What do you need patience for? God does care and His ways are greater than yours so just be still. When you get overly anxious to play God it could backfire and make things worse. 

What are you believing God for? God’s ways and timing are not ours. Be still. Trust God. Hang on. 

PRAYER: Lord how marvelous are your ways and I just need help navigating through each day you have blessed me with. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

How To ‘Hear’ God

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Does God talk to you? He does to me through the word of God. Pick it up sometime. Almost everyone has a copy somewhere and if you don’t let me know I will send you a Bible. Start reading in Psalms. 

You have to get in a daily habit of picking up God’s word and ‘hiding’ it in your heart. It is powerful  because The Holy Spirit can bring conviction of right and wrong, good and evil but only through regular time in scripture. 

Even when you don’t feel like it get up and get on your knees and cry out to God. Don’t allow the devil to make you into a spiritual basket case. Stand firm and stay strong. 

PRAYER: Today Lord help me to make someone’s day better. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Get A Grip

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.Hebrews 10:23

Many things in life can be stressors. None of us are Superman or Superwoman and we have to live one day at a time breathing in, breathing out. 

You can push yourself to the limit and let your mind imagine wrong things so it is essential, yes vital, to relax let go and let God take control not as your co pilot but as The Pilot, numero uno. 

How are you doing today? Have you asked Jesus to take control of your life? Leave the judging and everything else  to Him and be at peace. 

PRAYER: Father thank you for all the blessings in my life. Help me use them to bless those around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note- I got inspired on this devotion ft watching the 20/20 Special recently on The Life Of Dolly Parton. 

Being Misunderstood Or Judged Hurts

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”1 Peter 5:7

If anyone has never been misunderstood or judged for something then you are in the minority. You only answer to one person that being Jesus your Lord and savior. Make sure your heart is right with Him.  You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Talk to God. 

It really hurts when a family member falls into the category of judging you or thinking you are judgmental. The enemy Satan seeks to destroy relationships with friends and family so be on your guard and recognize it as such. Only the Holy Spirit can change a persons heart and mind. No amount of begging, pleading, or trying to prove yourself works. 

My friend stop where you are and ask God to reveal anything in your life that needs attention. Don’t compare yourself to others and fall into Satan’s trap. Have you heard the phrase “you are so Heavenly minded you are no earthly good?”Try to stay away from behavior that makes you seem super Holy. Only God is Holy. 

PRAYER: Father help me be still. Help me stay off social media. Help me to continue to pray and not lose heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Start With Jesus

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

Did you start your day with Jesus today? For 21 days beginning 2 August I made it a point to set my alarm for 5 am MST to join Church of the Highlands(Alabama) live for their bi annual 21 Days of Prayer. It helped establish the habit of making Christ a first priority. 

It is very easy to let your day get away with you and realize whoops I forgot to pray and have a quiet time. If honest everyone can admit that happening. I have the You Version Bible App which is a great tool to get you going each day. It is free in the App Store. 

Do you need to get a prayer and Bible reading habit going? Also another good tool is Day Alone With God I learned living back in Arizona where you simply make a day or a morning and go somewhere safe without your cell phone and talk to God. I have gotten out of habit of this since leaving Alabama/Tennessee 6 years ago and need to start it up again. Anyway just make sure to get your priorities right. Now go enjoy your day. 

PRAYER: Today Lord help me pause to think of all my blessings and to trust you with my prayers. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: To watch archived 21 Days of Prayer go to www.churchofthehighlands.com/21days