But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25

 I recall in my youth someone had invented a compact ladder that could be stored on the second floor of a building and used as a way of escaping a house fire by climbing down from a window. This great idea turned into a lifesaver for thousands of families who experienced a horrific situation, yet found safety through this newly invented item. Do you own one of these ladders in your home?

 Today’s passage follows the story of Paul and Silas who commanded an evil spirit of divination to come out from a young girl who was gifted with hidden knowledge by supernatural means. Her caretakers were using her as a way to make them rich (Acts 16:16-24). Once the spirit left her, she was no longer productive in making money and her owners had Paul and Silas severely beaten and thrown in prison. While shackled and secured inside the inner jail, they began to pray and sing hymns to God. God moved in that prison through an earthquake, that shook them loose of their shackles. The prison guard heard them singing and when found them free, asked how he and his family could be saved.

 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

 Sometime in your life you’ll find yourself in bad situations; possibly a house fire, a frightening health report or maybe even locked up for your faith in Jesus Christ. Just like that ladder of safety, call out to God in those desperate times and He will make a way of escape and get you through it. Praising God, even in the direst of times, will change your environment around you, including those who watch how you respond to the crises at hand. Don’t give in to the pressures of life, praise God in those moments and find safety through God’s awesome ability to shake the ground and loosen the shackles that were meant to keep you stifled by the enemy. Praising God always brings a better outcome! God bless!

 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:28

Have you ever found yourself in a pit of pitty? Nothing seemed to go right, you felt abandoned by those you love and the thought of tomorrow's trials weighted heavy on your soul. But then, you read something positive or had someone give you much needed encouragement that finally lifted the weight and you were back living life with joy. 

Life, no doubt, can be an emotional rollercoaster and oftentimes it's one setback that can wreck any hope or joy you had from the mountaintop experiences of life. Friend, I encourage you to make time every day to read God's word. It's full of wisdom, encouragement, and most of all God's promises to remain faithful to His followers, that includes you. Psalms and Proverbs are my favorites and oftentimes I'll copy verses on a recipe card and read them often just to keep His word fresh in my mind. 

Counter life's negative by reading the positive words of God. They will help sustain you during life's trials and keep you from falling into the pit. Life has too many blessings to experience without wasting time in the dumps. Check the Word today! God bless. 

 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

 Several years ago, I used to help a friend tend to his cattle while he was out of town flying for Delta. Every time I’d go to the farm, I would gather the cows in the pen, by feeding them, then look over their condition and count to make sure all were accounted for. As soon as my maroon-colored Chevrolet truck entered the pasture, those cattle knew it was feed time and would follow me down to the barn. Even if I showed up for other work, they still came, expecting to be fed.

 Today’s verse comes straight from the words of Jesus Christ. As a Christian, you are one of His sheep and it should be obvious when He is doing a work in your life, that you would automatically know it’s Him. Unfortunately, Satan can oftentimes mimic godly blessings, deceiving you into believing it’s actually God working on your behalf. As you follow down that path to receive God’s blessing, you fall prey to Satan’s trap and end up with nothing but misery and feeling empty.

 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

 It’s easy to focus on what appears to be a blessing and miss what God is really trying to tell you. It’s easier to put the cart before the horse, but truthfully the blessing comes by seeking God first, remaining obedient to Him and His timeline, then His blessing will be pure, true and useful to grow your faith, not weaken it. Truly knowing God and what He has instore for your life takes time, sometimes years, but the wait is worth the goodness He has in store for you! Get to know Him better every day and you’ll never lose sight of His perfect plan for your life.

 Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

As I get older, I notice that my ability to hear isn't as good as it was in my youth. To help me hear the person speaking, I have to move in closer, so I can hear what's being said. Can you relate? 

So often we go through life seeking direction from God, yet it appears He isn't speaking. The truth is, He never stops speaking as He provides each child of God His Holy Spirit. The problem lies in the fact that we aren't close enough to hear Him. We don't make time for Him, thus the voices of the world drown out His wisdom. 

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16

Want to hear God? Get closer to Him by spending quality time in fervent prayer, Bible study and quietly listening for His voice of wisdom. He is talking, you just need to get closer to hear Him. God bless. 

 Luke 9:49-50  John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us."

But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you."

Unless you live totally secluded, you've noticed humans come in all shapes, sizes, colors, cultures and languages. Although they might be different than you, they are still human beings, living their life the only way they know how. 

Christians are the same. Shapes, sizes, color, and cultures all vary in many ways, but don't make them any less a child of God than yourself. The one big difference that receives the most judgment is a person's behavior. And this is where Satan can tempt a child of God to reject their fellow brother or sister in Christ because they live a different lifestyle. 

Matthew 7:1-2 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Jesus made it very clear that the means by which you judge others, that same measure will be used on you. Looks may be deceiving, but God sees the heart. If judging others is an issue for you, ask God to help you see people through His eyes. If they proclaim Christ, then they are equal to you, accept them as your brother or sister in Christ. God bless.

 I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25

 Have you ever forgiven someone out of love, just so you could continue in the relationship you have with them? They mean the world to you, and you are willing to do anything possible to maintain that bond. Either a spouse, family member or friend, it doesn’t matter what they do or have done, you’ll always have room enough in your heart to forgive them.

 Today’s passage is a great reminder that God loves you and no matter how badly you mess up, He is always willing to forgive you. “For His sake” He blots them out so far as to say they are no longer remembered, as far away as the East is to the West (Psalm 103:12). That’s pretty remarkable considering how badly we, as humans, can really screw things up. But that goes to show you how far He is willing to go to sustain a deep and personal relationship with you!

 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

 Have you received Jesus Christ into your life, as atonement for your sins? If so, you are a child of God and He is faithful to forgive you of every sin you’ve ever committed or will commit. He deserves your praise and worship for all He’s done, through Jesus Christ, to sustain a relationship with you! Praise and honor Him today! God bless!

 

 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. 1 Corinthians 1:27

 Have you ever felt inadequate to what God calls you to do? Maybe He’s opened the door of opportunity for you to volunteer your time at a homeless shelter, established a friendship with a non-Christian so you can share the gospel truth with them, or maybe you feel challenged raising your children in a home where Jesus Christ is center in everything you show them.

 Today’s scripture reminds us that God oftentimes calls upon the weakest and most inadequate people to do mighty works for the Lord. All through the bible He chose the weakest, the vilest and those with no vision to enact His vision to show others His love and connect with the human race. What He calls you to do is part of that vision.

 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

 God’s plans never fail and those He chooses to see them through, He equips them for the task. Whatever He has called you to do is important and He will enable you to do it. He always provides the resources, the hidden talents and abilities to represent His plan to reach out to mankind. Trust Him in every spiritual endeavor and you’ll quickly see your inadequacies are simply building blocks to your faith and trust in Him! God bless!  

 

 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20

 Yesterday I went over to one of our kid’s house to spray weed killer on about ½ an acre of nothing but poison ivy and other unwanted vegetation. I purchased a sprayer that I thought would be more than enough, but as I started into my work realized it was too small for the job, but would eventually work. After 2 hours of refilling that spray pump jug multiple times and spraying, I completed the task. To say I felt overwhelmed was an understatement, but with determination, I conquered the task. Now let’s hope the weeds die or I’ll be back for a second spraying.

 The things you face in life may seem overwhelming at times, leaving you to wonder if you have enough strength and motivation to accomplish all that is necessary to get through the day, week or even longer. Today’s passage is an excellent reminder that we have God’s Holy Spirit living inside each child of God. As a Christian, you have that power to keep going to accomplish whatever is at hand. Calling out to God for help is a sure sign that you acknowledge your inadequacy and trust that He will help you through life’s difficulties. And He will do it ever time!

 You can do this friend. Life may seem bigger than you, and that’s ok, because God is bigger than anything you face and He will empower you to do great and mighty things with faith in Him. Cry out to Him when those Goliath moments happen and see His mighty hand work on your behalf. God bless!

 Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

God led me to this scripture this morning. A good reminder that I need Him in my life. Every aspect of my life, every concern, challenge, even the good times, God is interested in all and desires to engage as much as I am willing to let Him. As I reflect back over my life, I recall going to Him in prayer and every, single, time He provides. 

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Maybe you are in desperate need of help. From meeting an unmet need to an expected bill and everything in between, God wants to take part in what concerns you. When you acknowledge it to Him, you open the door to a power and strength like nothing else on this planet. Miracles still happen today in the lives of those who put their trust and faith in the Lord. What's on your plate today? Give it to God and see His mighty hand work in your life.