Protection from enemy

 Psalms 35:5

Blow them away like chaff in the wind— 

a wind sent by the angel of the lord.

With every bone in my body I will praise him: “lord, who can compare with you? 

Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”

Today's passage is a prayer request from David to the Lord, asking Him to blow away his enemies like chaff in the wind. Oh how many times have you prayed a similar prayer? Those enemies seem to abound and their ruthless attacks against you seem unending. Have you been there? 

Friend, I can personally speak from experience, God sometimes doesn't remove our enemies, but He does go before us to weave us through their attacks and come out on the other side victorious when we remain steady in prayer and focus on Him. Gods Holy Spirit, living inside you, knows your challenges and sees your enemy's ways from far off. He already has a plan to protect you. Trust Him and the wisdom He provides. 

God may not remove your enemy, but best to trust Him as you lean on Him for strength, healing and confidence in knowing He is bigger than anything that comes against you. God bless. 

 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

 

Have you ever noticed when someone famous walks into a crowd, everyone is focused on them. Camera phones come up to capture the moment and for some people a picture with them is a treasure and shared on social media. Everything they do and say is absorbed by the spectators watching.

 

As a child of God, eyes are watching every action you take, every word spoken and every thought shared. Its important for you to remember you are a “light of the world”. Everything you do should reflect the Holy Spirit living inside you. It’s a conscious decision that needs to be made. The last thing you want to do is send someone the wrong message as a result of your words or action that counter God’s word.

 

When you stop and really think about it, it’s a big deal and if you are like me you probably go back in your mind, to just yesterday, to something you said or did that wasn’t God approved. Time to ask for forgiveness, maybe go back and talk to someone you hurt and give them the right response, then ask God to help you in your daily walk. Best to memorize today’s verse and keep it fresh in your mind as you leave your home and enter the world of darkness.

 

The world is watching you. Are you a light in the darkness? The world needs to see Jesus, and you’re the one assigned to this mission. Walk as children of light! God bless!

 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a graduation ceremony at the University of West Georgia. The main speaker addressed the students with many good words of wisdom, but one really stuck with me….”the world needs you.” These young kids have received a fine education and ready to bring new ideas to businesses that need a fresh perspective on how they operate. These graduates have a big step to take as they cross over from the care of their parents into the working world that needs them more than ever.

 

There is another group of people who the world needs and that’s God’s children. He needs them educated in the bible, so they can live a life that reflects the values and principles of God and be an example for others to follow. I can tell you from the years I’ve been a Christian, the bible has provided me much wisdom and guided my steps as I’ve navigated many many challenges. It will do the same for you, but it wont help unless you pick it up and study it, and equip yourself to share the gospel truth.

 

The world needs YOU! Are you equipped for the journey? Start today by studying God’s word so you can be a part of a life changing experience in the lives of those around you. God bless!

 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen. 1 Peter 4:11 NLT

 

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting my wife’s cousin and his wife. They both have ties to employment with a nationwide food chain. We discussed the success of the company and one of the elements that keeps the business doing so well; its employees. The employees are treated well and taught to treat each customer with respect, have a friendly smile, and oftentimes go out of their way, exceeding the customer’s expectation. Its no wonder this chain has been so successful and it all started with the original founder and his work ethic, which is carried on through its family of employees.

 

As Christians, God provides each of us talents to serve Him and bless others. You might already be aware of your talents and gifts and hopefully are using them. Unfortunately, many Christians don’t recognize their gifts or use them in their daily life. If the world is going to see their need for God, they need to see Him living through you and every other child of God. Non-Christians have no view of God or understanding of His unconditional love. By using your talents and gifts, they will catch a glimpse of our awesome God and hopefully want to be a part of His family too.

 

Pray and ask God to reveal the gifts He’s given you, then ask for Him to open the door of opportunity to serve Him.  Trust me, blessings will follow when you serve on behalf of our Heavenly Father! Use your talents today! God bless!  

 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.                   2 Corinthians 3:5

 

Do you ever feel inadequate about something in your life? Maybe it’s a specific task at work that seems overwhelming, a health condition that has controlled every aspect of your life or maybe a financial burden that you have no idea how it will ever be lifted. I think we’ve all faced times in life when things seem to overpower us and our strength is diminished because of our inadequacy.

 

Today’s verse is a great reminder that our help comes from the Lord Psalm 121:2. As humans we have limitations to our strength, emotional stability and financial resources. Once we’ve reached our limit, we can become discouraged, depressed and even resort to drastic measures to either cope with our situation or try to compensate by irrational means. This is not what God wants for His children.

 

I can tell you from personal experience, when you ask God for His help, He works with your limitations and adds His strength, wisdom and love into the equation and the results take you further, much further, than you ever expected. He loves you and desires to bless you, you just have to come in obedience to Him, willing to receive His help, and He will provide beyond your own limited ability to work through whatever your face.

 

You must acknowledge, “Without Me you can do nothing” John 15:5. Until you rely on God for help, your successes will be measured by your limitations. Trust God and see how He can multiply your limitations to accomplish much for His kingdom and bring blessings into your life! God bless!

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Whenever there is a change in something, it usually means there is a new way of doing things. Change can be good as it keeps you from falling prey to a routine that is no longer effective and positive in your life.

 

Today’s verse is a prime example of change in the life of a Christian. If a person has truly accepted Christ, there should be a change in his or her life. Priorities should focus on the Lord’s plan and purpose for their life, things like selfishness, greed and pride should be put aside and replaced with humbleness and obedience. But it doesn’t happen over-night.

 

Change takes time and the Lord is available to help weed out the old ways and begin a new and fresh start in your life. Prayer and bible study are essential to make that change happen. Day by day, prayer by prayer, making decisions with God the priority will result in a changed person from the inside out.

 

As a Christian, maybe you find your attitudes and behavior similar to how you were prior to accepting Christ. Make today a start of newness in your life by asking God to transform your heart and mind into a new vessel that He can use for His glory and bless you along the way. Trust me, God blesses obedience and He is ready to help you make a change today, one step at a time! God bless!

God's gift to us

 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” Matthew 25: 5-6

I got up early this morning and stood outside, praying, as the sun came up on this crisp Easter morning. As Christians, we have the confidence in our Savior who paid our sin debt. Regardless of the sin's severity, He covered them all. Because of that guarantee we should all commit each day to living the life Jesus has called us to live. 

Let this Easter day of celebration continue with you, every day forward, as you commit to Him who has written your name in the book of life with His blood. He is risen. Celebrate today this glorious gift from God. Blessings.