Month: May 2022

Isaiah 26:4
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

“When everyone and everything around you says to panic, choose the path of peace. In this world of broken promises, do yourself a favor: take hold of the promises of God,” (Max Lucado, ‘Glory Days’).

The world today is spinning out of control. Hmmm . . . we say that so easy as if it just started. It didn’t. It started the minute sin entered the world, way back in Genesis. God has not been trying to stop the world either. That was never His plan. I am sure He would have loved to see it happen, but it was never part of His plan. No, His plan was to stabilize His children while the world raged on and on and on.

I have a favorite Billy Joel song, ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’. One of the verses goes like this:

We didn’t start the fire
It was always burning, since the world’s been turning
We didn’t start the fire
But when we are gone
It will still burn on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on

The truth of the matter is we can’t stop the fire. The world is going to keep spinning out of control until Jesus comes again and establishes His kingdom here. What we can do is stabilize ourselves by taking hold of God’s promises, standing on the Rock eternal.

Lord, I choose to stand on your promises today. When the world says panic, I will find peace in your promises. ~amen

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Psalms 56:4
4 In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?

The quick answer to the question in Psalms 56:4, “What can mere mortals do to me” is simple they can kill me. I know that is a rather blunt answer. On memorial day here in the United States, we honor all of those who died defending others, and mere mortals killed them.

We mere mortals are the most dangerous things on this planet. Just pick read a newspaper, or listen to the news. If we haven’t picked up a weapon and killed someone, we have spread our carbon footprint, poisoned our waters, or created a food that is now causing cancer. We are killers. Yet, Jesus laid down His life for all of us. He didn’t wear a cape, ride a white horse, or wear some elaborate crown. He came in and did what was necessary to save the world.

As I mentioned earlier, in the States, we celebrate Memorial Day. For many, it just means the opening of Summer, a time to get an extra day off, maybe a cookout, or boat ride. For others, it is a time of grief because someone they loved gave their all so that others could live. They didn’t wear capes either, but like Jesus, they wore their blood, so no one else had to that day.

Now before I get some nasty comments, I am not equivocating these people with Jesus. He had a much larger agenda. However, in a world that teaches us to be selfish all the time, wouldn’t it be nice if we could be more like Him. If we could all learn to trust in God and not be afraid that we might be shunned, ridiculed, or even hated. I mean what more could mere mortals do to me, right?

Lord, I am so sorry for my selfish ways. Please forgive me. ~amen

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Acts 20:24
24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God (Acts 20:24, MSG).

The NIV Bible says, “my life is worth nothing,” at least that is what caught my eye. I began to bristle a little when I read it. Then I read it again. “I consider my life worth nothing to me.” God is most certainly not saying I am worthless. NO! I am worth a lot to Him. I am loved and thought of constantly by Him. What this verse is saying is I can’t put myself first. As a matter of fact, in many ways, my life would be worthless if I became selfish and always put myself first.

I also looked at this verse another way. I could own the most expensive and famous painting in the world. However, what good would it do me if I just stuffed it away in the closet under a bunch of unused shoes and bags? If I don’t hang it and share it with the world it becomes useless. Let’s look at it another way. I could make the most wonderful meal in the world. But what good is it if it is never eaten?

We were meant to share our lives with others. We were meant to share the love of God with all. Our lives become worthless if we don’t complete the task of sharing the good news of God’s grace.

Lord, I don’t want to live a worthless life. I want to live for You. ~amen

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

Tina Fey was quoted as saying, “Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.” I have also heard it said by others, “Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution.” I think God had this in mind when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for us.
John 3:17 in the Message Bible puts it more like this, “God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” You see, God saw the problem. He could have just wagged His finger at us and told us all the things we were doing wrong. However, that would not solve the problem. Instead, He had a solution in mind all the time., GRACE!

We humans would make life a lot better if we practiced this principle. When we stand back, watch the news, and just point out all the bad in this world, we become part of the problem. I am not trying to get all political here any more than God was when He sent Christ to die for our sins. I am just saying we need to learn to love, forgive, offer grace, and help when and where we can. I know sometimes that means just praying, but that is powerful stuff!

It is easy to get wrapped up in all the negativity around you. Just remember by getting wrapped up in it, you have become part of it. Don’t be part of the problem,
be part of the solution.

Lord, help me add to the solutions and not the problems that are around me. ~amen

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James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

So, I love reading the Message bible. Today’s verse is one of my favorites. “Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear” (James 1:19, MSG). I would love to post this on billboards all over the world.

Have you ever found yourself deep into an argument only to have someone ask, “Are you even listening to each other?” You stop talking and look at them with a snotty face, thinking to yourself, “Of course! I am right and he is wrong!” Then you close your mouth, open your ears and really listen. You find that both of you have been agreeing the entire time. You were just saying it in a different way! I have been there and done that one! Something tells me Washington DC experiences this A LOT!

Hearing others is easy, listening not so much. You see in order to listen, you must first shut your mouth. To REALLY listen, you have to give someone your full attention. I love my husband dearly, but multitasking is NOT his forte. I have learned over the years to not say or ask anything important unless he is looking at me. Likewise, when he wants to talk I put everything down. I am not saying we are always perfect about this, but it has warded off many fights. We could all learn to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry more often.

Lord, help me shut my mouth and open my ears more. ~amen

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Romans 12:11
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master,

Burnout is a real thing, even for Christians doing God’s work. There is a reason God modeled a rest day for us. We all need rest and refilling. You can’t give out of an empty cup and Satan knows this. He will take advantage of it, trust me. I have been there and done that.

We are called to serve others. There is no question about that. God has told us over and over again to be a servant. Even as leaders, we are to be servant leaders just like Jesus. Jesus also stole away several times to refuel. He knew exactly where his fuel came from and refilled to overflowing.

You must take time for yourself. You need time for prayer, personal bible study, and just plain rest. Ephesians 6:13 says,
“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet” (MSG). You can’t stand against the enemy if you are exhausted. You can’t stand if you are drained. You can’t stand if your body is not properly fueled.

So, today take the time to go and be by yourself and refuel. When you are finished check on your friends, family, loved ones, and yes even your Pastor. See if they need a little refueling. Let’s all grab some Holy Ghost Gatorade and get back out there!

Lord, thank You for your perfect rest and refilling You provide for me. ~amen

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James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Oh my goodness! It is 9:30 at night and I am just now getting around to actually finishing my blog. I am really wishing I would have looked at it more closely this morning. Maybe I would have avoided this day!

Most people talk about Friday the 13th. My husband kept saying well, it is Monday the 23rd . . . LOL! From the moment we got up until about 5:30 tonite, I can see we were so under attack. I mean EVERYTHING that could go wrong, DID! Let me tell you, tempers flared, angry words were exchanged and apologies had to be made. I can also say as the night went on, laughs were shared.

This morning, when I looked at James 4:7-8, I fell in love with how the Message bible put it. “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.” Little did I know I was going to live it today. It took us a good part of the day to put this advice into action, but we did and God was true to His word.

You know, come to think of it, I am glad today played out the way it did. It would have been so easy to pay lip service to these verses for my blog today. Instead, I lived
the action and am here to say, “I not only survived, I battled and won!” Victory is ours. We just need to claim it!

Lord, I am listening! It took me a while, but I am listening now, and you are so good to answer! ~amen

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Romans 15:5-6
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

No one should be required to look, dress, or sound a certain way to enter church doors! No one should be offended by anyone who does walk in those doors! Yes, I put exclamation marks at the end of those two statements because I am VERY passionate about them. God called everyone through those doors, including you. Who are we to tell someone they are not welcome when they first walk in by giving “that look”, gasping, or even whispering to the person sitting next to us. I hope you have never experienced this in your church and I sure hope you have never participated. However, my intent is not to shame you, but to open your eyes.

Romans 15:7, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” God once accepted you right where you stood, filthy sin and all. You have been commanded by Him to do the same for everyone that walks in the door. You love on them just like God loved on you. Now is the time for us to glorify God the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Come now is the time for us to all worship God together.

Come, now is the time to worship
Come, now is the time to give your heart
Come, just as you are to worship
Come, just as you are before your God

Lord, I want to come together because now is the time to worship you just as we are! ~amen

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Revelation 4:11
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

God is there around the clock. Your morning starts off bad, you call upon the Lord. Your afternoon goes downhill, you call upon the Lord. Evening comes and you find your life has fallen apart, you call upon the Lord. Can’t sleep because your whole day has you tied up in knots, you call upon the Lord. You are so thankful He is there every single second of the day. But have you told Him?

God is truly worthy of our glory and honor and power. It is so much more than just being thankful that He was there every time we cried out for Him. He created you, me, and everything around us. Not only that, but He wanted to create everything, Yes, He even created you because He wanted you. He wanted you this morning, this afternoon, this evening, and even during the night. He wanted you yesterday, today, and forever. That is enough reason to praise HIm.

The key is, have you? Have you told Him thank you lately? Did you tell Him throughout your day today? How many a times did you call upon Him? Did you thank Him at least that many times? Did you just take the time to say I love You, Lord? Maybe tomorrow when you get up you can say, “I love You”. When the afternoon sets in say it again. Then as evening comes, yep, again. Then as you slide into bed finish your day with, “I love You, Lord, and thank you for the day!”

Lord, I love you! ~amen

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Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Have you ever been going along really smoothly in life and then you make a mistake? You are positive everyone is always going to remember you for that mistake. Nothing you can ever do is going to erase that memory. Perhaps you have known someone whose whole life has been destroyed over one mistake. Any of the wonderful things they ever did were never remembered again. I can give you an extreme example. Most people do not know all the good Hitler actually did for the German people after World War 1. The German economy and pride were at an all-time low. Hitler came in and turned that all around. Germany became a thriving country again. Well, we all know what happened next and yes, it was horrific!

I am going to let you in on a little secret you probably already know. When God sees sin, He sees sin. He doesn’t distinguish between a big sin and a little sin. To Him, all sin is horrific. He is so wonderful to forgive ALL of our sins through grace given to us by the death of Jesus on the Cross. It says He doesn’t remember the sins. This is great because I am sure those sins would surely blot out all the good we have done.

Isn’t it wonderful that our salvation allows God to forgive the bad in our past and remember the good? We are human and we are still going to make mistakes. However, those will never make God forget all the good that is still in us.

Lord, I am sorry for my sins. Thank you for remembering there is still good in me. ~amen

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