Stop Being Critical

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”Luke 6:37

I often share about myself lots to hope others who may read to know that I am far from having it all together. One of the things I need help on is being critical or judgmental. I don’t want to do it yet I find myself being caught in this trap. 

If you can attempt to look at everyone through the eyes of Jesus it might help. Don’t look at them with condemnation but with pity. 

If you start your day on a positive note and truly talk to God and tell Him what is on your heart and what you need help with He is there. As comical as it may sound say ‘Lord help me clean up my piles of clutter or make a run to the donation center.”God cares about you and is in the details. 

PRAYER: Father I need help to push forward to look at others through your eyes. Help me focus on those who the world condemns. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Shortcuts Not Always Best

The plans  of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.Proverbs 21:5

Have you ever tried to do something an easier way, a cheaper way, a smoother way and it turned into a disaster? Often times shortcuts are not the best. Following directions and not doing your own thing can yield more positive results. 

I thought if a comic example several years ago at Sun Valley Ski Resort when I did not follow my family and ended up needing help to get down the very steep beyond my ability slope. I thought I knew a short cut so veered off and it turned out I was no longer on a green(easy) run. 

There are no shortcuts to Jesus my friend only following the way, the truth, and the life but it is simple when your heart is right. Jesus wants everyone to come to Him and ask Him into their hearts. Have you found new life in Christ? 

PRAYER: Father help me to not be shy sharing the Good News with people. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Declutter Your Mind

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Your mind is like a control center for your whole body. Besides the heart that keeps you alive your mind manages the day to day business and can lift you up or drag you down. 

There are things like needless worry. Imagining things that will never occur. Your mind can be like one big Hollywood screenplay and get out of control if you don’t discipline your thought life. You literally have to take thoughts ‘captive’ meaning just rein them in so to speak. 

The enemy Satan loves it when you are not at peace and your mind is overactive but why not pick up your Bible and read a few Psalms and defeat him with positive uplifting thoughts. 

PRAYER: Lord God I choose peace over turmoil. I choose happy over sad. Help me set my mind on things above. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Letting Things Go

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”Philippians 3:13-14

Have you been hurt by a friend, family member, neighbor, co worker? If honest all can answer yes to that question. To dwell on the hurts or injustices only digs you into a deeper hole. 

In order to have a joyful spirit led life it is necessary to let go of hurts and offenses and not dwell on them like some sort of trophy. You can’t move forward towing weights and sorrows with you. 

Decide to forgive people even if they don’t ever seek forgiveness. Try to treat people like Jesus would. 

PRAYER: Lord help me to love others even when I don’t feel like it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stop Striving

Stop striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.”Psalm 46:10 NAS Bible Gateway

What type of things cause you to strive? Mostly it is things out of your control but how do you stop? 

To struggle or to fight vigorously is one definition of striving. When it comes to letting things go after you have laid things at the foot of the cross are you able to? If not why not? 

I think of prayers for children or grandchildren and know you are working and hear my prayers and have it under control so why strive? Today make a fall resolution to totally give things over to God. 

PRAYER: Lord I don’t want to strive and I want to trust you and have peace. Please help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Spiritual Warfare

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11 NIV Bible Gateway

Have you put on your armor of God yet today? The armor of God would be reading the Bible and strengthening your inner man for anything that Satan throws at you. 

If you were in a physical battle you would not go without weapons to protect you and defeat the enemy likewise in this world there is a battle raging between Satan and God. We know God wins but the point is you have to daily strengthen yourself and know scriptures 

The enemy lies and deceives even people who know the truth because if you don’t stand on truth you will fall. Satan masquerades as an angel of light it says in 2 Corinthians 11:14. This time of year is a hey day for demonic spirits due to the innocent acceptance of Halloween. Don’t be fooled. Don’t let the forces of darkness win. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good and your mercies endure forever. Thanks for having a Bible and help me not allow the enemy to come into my territory it is protected by You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Dependent On That Connection

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

One day I couldn’t go to church and was searching for the church I currently attend online but could not find a live service streaming. In this modern era we get so used to instant this and instant that, what happens when the connection is lost or non existent? 

I always watch my former church in Alabama but somehow could not find the place I attend now here in Idaho. When this happens you have to be pro active, not sit around wanting to be spoon fed but you have to create your own time of worship. 

What if you were one of the early pioneers on the Oregon Trail, no technology at all and no one even imagining it. You talk to God, pray and thank Him for helping you each and every day. Now go have a great day! 

PRAYER: Father stir up the Holy Spirit inside of all your creation on the Sabbath Day to want to worship you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Early Days

And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”Ephesians 4:24

In the early days of Television things were pretty innocent. First of all there were only 3 stations if your antenna could pull them in and the shows were light hearted fun.Children didn’t have to be wisked off due to bad and inappropriate content.   

Little by little evil seeped into our ‘entertainment’ and thought we needed a dose of murders and crime and some sex before bedtime.  What could it hurt it is only television. Satan now has gained a foothold in the entertainment industry so Christian’s need to not cave in but to continue to pray, prayer walk, write letters, make a difference. 

Stand firm continue to pray for satanic and demonic influence to be eradicated in Hollywood, New York and in the media in general. What a person puts in their head does matter. Satan would love to make Jesus go away. Fill your mind with good things. Shut any door the enemy may have cracked open in your life. 

PRAYER: Lord I pray for protection over all those I love from things that bring demonic influence into their lives. Help me run my race and look to the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Choose Your Friends Wisely

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”Proverbs 13:20

It matters who you choose to associate with because your friends can either lift you up or drag you down the wrong path in life. 

You tend to become like who you associate with. Do you want to excel in life then choose excellent friends. 

Don’t make light of this area. Choose the path of life but pave it with friends who love God and want to stay following Him. 

PRAYER: Father guard my heart to always seek to stay on the path that leads above. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be An Influencer

 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”Matthew 5:13

Lately a new modern day job title I have heard is that of a social media influencer. I shudder to think what type of influence certain people have and who are their target audience for this ‘influence’. 

Have you ever pondered being an unofficial ‘influencer’ for the kingdom of Heaven. Think about it. The way you react to people, your tone of voice, the way you carry yourself around others all can have a major effect hopefully a positive one. 

How about it? Do you want to influence those around you for Christ? 

PRAYER: I need you Lord each day to start off the day in a positive fashion. Help me be a God influencer for crowds around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.