PLUG INTO THE CORRECT SOURCE

” Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” Romans 8:5

When you plug your phone in for charging you are careful to plug into a healthy source of electricity in order to get a healthy charge. If you don’t plug into an outlet that is healthy and strong then you will not get the result you want. The same can be said for our spiritual charge each day. We must continue to renew our spirit and keep it charged with a healthy charge. We must be sure that we plug into the right source and not the wrong one. If we get up in the mornings, eat our breakfast, watch a little news and weather on the TV, and then walk out the door and begin our day, then we have done nothing to recharge our spiritual battery. We are walking into a world that is full of confusion, evil and anger. We are leaving ourselves unprotected in a world of doubt, worry, fear and condemnation. The most important thing we can do each morning is to recharge our spiritual battery. We should go to our Lord God in prayer and turn over our day to God. We should pray for the fruit of the Spirit to be displayed in our lives. We should walk into the world with a renewed joy, love and peace. We should recharge our minds with study of his word and worship him, giving him all the glory He deserves. When we act upon these things our Lord will give us renewed strength and power from his word. He will remind us of his strength and willingness to walk beside us in any situation we may encounter. He will tap us on the shoulder and remind us to listen to his precious Holy Spirit when times get tough and to praise him in the good times. He refreshes us body, mind and soul. We must, however, do our part and plug into the correct source each day. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Daily writing prompt
Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.
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STANDING TALL AS THE TEMPLE OF GOD!

“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

When we develop a deep relationship with our God in heaven, we become close to him, and he becomes close to us. He sent his Holy Spirit to live within us and to guide and help us live our lives in such ways that represent him. He is our first and everlasting resource in times of need, no matter how large or how small. I sometimes like to compare my relationship with God by the way I used to feel about my careers in both teaching and banking. I dedicated myself to my job. I would think of it when I was eating, when I was watching TV and when I was attending my children’s school events. The job overwhelmed me and became my life. Now I will say that as I look back on this time in my life, I am not very proud of the way I lived. However, this is the exact way our relationship with Jesus should be. He should be all encompassing and should be in every thought that we have. Afterall, he does reside within us. He lives in his temple, and we are his temple. The bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 3: 17 that we as his temple are consecrated to God. We have been set apart to the service of God. We are holy in his eyes, and we must be devoted to his purpose. We are safe in his arms and protected in ways that we don’t fully understand. We are His Temple! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.
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PERFECTING OUR HOLINESS

” Let us purify ourselves from anything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1

As Christians we are to spend our days perfecting our holiness for our God in heaven. We are to stay away from the very things that poison or pollute our body, minds and spirit. It is so easy to be contaminated within this world. Just by being around the wrong people can influence the way we live and think. Certain music, television and the internet are examples of things that can infect us with spiritual contamination. There are so many people in this world who can cause us to deteriorate and become spiritually unclean. We begin to focus on them and reflect their beliefs and the way they live and talk. We are sometimes subtly influenced by the encouragement of those around us. We begin to stray from the pathway that the Holy Spirit has set us upon. It is important that we stay focused and concentrate on our Lord and Savior. It is important that we are fully aware of what the word of God teaches us and that we know the difference between what is good and evil. We are to constantly strive to perfect our holiness out of reverence for our gracious God in heaven. As we build upon our relationship with the Lord, we develop a deep respect for the person and his word. That deep respect develops into a deep love for him, and we are able to fight off the evil that confronts us daily. Our God loves us with all of his heart. The devil and his demons are at work without rest and are trying hard to draw us away from the Lord we are to serve. They use subtle and evil things to influence our thoughts and lives. Without a strong faith in Jesus, we will fail. We can do nothing without him, but “we can do all things through him who gives us strength!” (Philippians 4:13) We must build our faith and never let down. We must pray constantly and develop a deep relationship with Jesus, who goes to bat for us every day. We must listen and obey to what the Holy Spirit tells us and never let go of his truths. Stay focused and never doubt! Jesus is Lord! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Write about your approach to budgeting.
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IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!

” But the time is coming- indeed it’s here now-when true worshippers will worship the father in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23

” For God is Spirit, so these who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

True worship requires only you and the presence of God. And since the Holy Spirit abides in you then so does God. Therefore, God’s presence is always with you. I have learned over the years that I can have a conversation with my Lord at any time. When I run into trouble he is there. When I am having a great day, he is there. When I need to have a conversation with him, all I must do is talk with him. I don’t have to be in a special place; I don’t have to have a choir present and I don’t have to have anyone around me in order to talk with him, praise him, or to glorify him. Our God is spirit. He is the one who gives us life, energy and power in our lives. He is true. Everything he says and does for us is true. He is true in every instance and at all times. God lives in us through his Holy Spirit. He guides us, he teaches us, he counsels us, and He leads us in truth. He reminds us of truth so that we can live a life in truth. God’s truth is omniscient wisdom and knowledge, and not on our own worldly standards. We must begin to live our lives in spirit and not in the world. We must train ourselves to listen to and do as the Holy Spirit of God instructs. He loves us as we should love Him. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
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THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what you eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17

The kingdom of God is not something that we can see and point to. The kingdom of God is the spiritual realm over which God reigns as king.  Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God is within us. It lives in our hearts. As a believer in Jesus, it becomes a natural way of life and should be reflected in the way we live and speak. By living our lives in love, repentance, faith, obedience, and in prayer, we will be thrust into a life of freedom and intimacy with our God in heaven. We will become filled with his purpose and able to then live out his plan within our lives. Our lives should reflect happiness and a positive attitude. We should have a routine of study in his Word and pray everyday. We should recognize our sins and be able to go to him with repentance and be able to ask for his forgiveness. The kingdom of God is a process of events whereby God begins to govern in our lives. The key in the kingdom of God is the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit, the spiritual realm, where our God leads us to his mighty kingdom. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Have you ever unintentionally broken the law?
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SHINING THROUGH THE DARKNESS

” All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:20

” So, I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God.” Romans 15:17

We too must be enthusiastic in our service to God. We are true children of the light, and we should march through each day as close to Jesus as we can get. We want to be sure that the world sees who we are and what we stand for. Our Lord accepts each of us where we are in life and has a straight path for each of us to follow. That path leads to a work that must be accomplished on His behalf. We must stay close to the light and continue to understand our assignment clearly. We are in a spiritual battle every day and we must not go out into the world unprepared. We must put on the armor of God not only for protection from the evil of the world, but to also be on the offense and win each battle we face. There is no fear in love. There is no fear where the presence of the Holy Spirit exists. God sent His Holy Spirit to live within us and the Holy Spirit gives us life in the spiritual realm and with that comes strength, fearlessness, wisdom, confidence and understanding. We are not alone but we are in the presence of our Lord at every moment of every day. We as participants in God’s army must be able to shine through the darkness and not be fearful of the evil on the other side.  PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
If there was a biography about you, what would the title be?
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LIVING AS ONE!

“May God who gives patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.” Romans 15:5

” As a newborn in Christ I often wondered which church I should attend. Afterall, I wanted to get to heaven, and I wanted to be sure my church got me there. Which church was best prepared to help me get into heaven. As a child I was brought up in one denomination and married into another. Which one would help me be closer to Jesus? I remember that if I didn’t attend Sunday School and church, on any given Sunday as a child, I soon began to feel guilty. When I accepted Jesus, I was soon taught that I did not accept a religion but that He and I were in a very close and personal relationship. I didn’t need to worship in a certain way to make myself right with God. My eyes were opened to the fact that Jesus was my Savior and not my church. Sometimes I had caught myself worshipping the church and the activities within the church rather than what I should be worshipping. My focus was soon turned from the activities of the church to my activities with Jesus. I am not saying that church is bad and that you should stop going to church. I am not saying that at all, but what is being said is that our focus should be on Jesus and our worship should be of him and nothing else. I will say that if the church we attend, does not teach about a strong and healthy relationship with Jesus, then we should probably run. Our sole intent is to be in right standing with our God in heaven. There is only one way for that to happen and that is with a strong and trusting relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” PRAISE THE LORD I ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What were your parents doing at your age?
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OUR STAIRWAY TO ETERNAL LIFE!

“I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth. John 1:51

There is only one way to eternal life and that way is Jesus Christ. He is the link that we must use to be connected to the life we so eagerly wait for. He is the stairway from our temporary home on this earth to our eternal home in heaven. If we decide to travel any other road or go through any other doorway, we will miss our opportunity to reach eternal life. We must believe and have faith in him. As I have talked about many times in the past, we must begin to live our lives in the spiritual realm and leave behind the way we have been taught in the world around us. Seeing is no longer believing. Instead, faith allows us to believe by trusting in the truth and in the spiritual things of our God in heaven. Our faith continues to grow as we study God’s Holy Word. It grows when we put it into action and actually live it right here before the world around us. Jesus explains that even the angels travel up and down on the Son of Man just as you and I are to do. He is our extension cord and our conduit to God. There is only one way, and that way is Jesus! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?
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BECOME A BECON OF LIGHT FOR OTHERS!

“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” Romans 15:2

As you and I continue to build up our faith in the Lord, we are also to become a light who shines the way to Jesus. There are those around us who are seeking hope and peace in their lives. We are to share what we have with those who are in need. We are to be hospitable toward them and help them in the ways that the Lord leads us. We are to encourage others when they are down. We are to share his Word and his promises. In faith, we are to shine our light so that others may see the way. We are to live our lives in such a way that our faith and strength in Christ shines through. We must become living examples of God’s way of life. Our struggles must become pathways to building strength and faith. The mountains we must climb must become as foothills. The words that come from our heart must be on display when we speak and be of promises and of the hope to come. We must radiate the love and warmth of our Lord to those near and dear to our hearts. We should inspire and encourage others and not tear them down. We are to be the guiding light that shows the way of Jesus. We must practice always, the way of our Lord through daily prayer, praise and meditation within his Holy Word. We must allow our light of faith to shine through the dense clouds that our world throws at us each day. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Daily writing prompt
Write about your dream home.
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LET US STAY THE PATH THAT HAS BEEN MADE FOR US!

“Rejoice in your confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying.” Romans 12:12

“Don’t let evil conquer you but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:21

Life is a constant battle between good and evil. It has been from the beginning and continues to be. When I was a child, I was always doing things that would get me into trouble. I would tempt and dare things that I knew my mom and dad did not want me to do. As I got older my actions got larger and more difficult for my parents to handle. I would skip school and lie about it. I even got my brother involved by having him to help me in some of my evil endeavors. But then came 1972 when I met Jesus at a Kenneth Copeland meeting in Omaha, Ne. At that meeting, and at the moment I met him, my life changed. I suddenly began to see the light and to do things differently. It seemed that my life got harder rather than easier because I had now chosen a different side and my life was changing for the better. I struggled for quite some time with many things because the evil I was leaving behind was constantly trying to haunt me. But as I continued to grow in Jesus, I became a completely different person. Even though I was in a battle for my life I continued to trust in God and my faith began to grow and my life began to change.  No longer did I pick up my cigarettes and try to smoke them. My language changed and my complete direction took a turn for the better. It was, and continues to this day to be a struggle, because the devil wants to lose nobody. He will use every trick in the book and look for every crack in our armor to slither into our lives. But with the confident hope my Lord gives me, and with the patience he has taught me, I can be an overcomer and I can defeat evil. It is by continuing to push forward through any and all situations with, Jesus by my side, that I am the victor and not the defeated. Stay the course that has been put before you by Jesus! Continue to pray and study his Word. Never give up and always build your faith and trust in your Lord Jesus! He loves you more than you know. JESUS IS LORD! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?
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STRENGTH THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD!

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” Luke 24:49

As Jesus was about to be taken up to set at the right hand of God the Father, he made it clear to his disciples that they were going to receive the presence of the Holy Spirit as God had promised. He also told that them that the Spirit would come to them with power from heaven. You and I are no different from the disciples. We also have been given this promise from God. We are to believe, receive with that belief, and be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. God made this promise so that He can flow through us like a powerful river to impact others. In receiving the Holy Spirit, we will receive an outpouring of power and presence that overwhelms our hearts and lives. This power is given so that we can become overcomers with God’s power and not defeated by the devil and his evil schemes. It is important that we understand how our Lord speaks to us. We must spend time in His Word and swipe away the constant bustle of this life. We must be “Jesus First” and make Him the priority in our lives. When we run into troubles, we must think of Him and go to Him first for answers. When we are having good days, we must go to Him first with praise and thanksgiving. Our Lord must be a constant in our lives, and we must not allow ourselves to push Him away. We must recognize Him as the most powerful person we know and respect his covenants that have been graciously given to us. He is all powerful, forever forgiving and never goes back on His promises. We can depend on Him! We must believe, receive and act on his Holy Word! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?
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SEARCH IN THE RIGHT PLACES!

“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?” Luke 24:5

We sometimes get so entwined within the world that we begin to look in odd places for the power above. We begin to use worldly ways to seek out our all-empowered source of strength. Some will seek out alcohol or drugs and others will seek false gods who provide no real security or power. Others consider themselves to be the whole source of strength. They try to solve all problems and usually get themselves into more problems instead. Others use politics or the praise of others to support their thoughts and ways. Everyone, throughout history, has looked to find a god. All societies have looked hard to seek out something they believe to be the all-powerful source of life. They have all searched in the wrong places. The bible is our source of the truth, and it is the road map we are to use in our search. Just as the women who went to the tomb of Jesus with their spices, they had prepared, they were looking for something that was tangible and a body they could see and feel. They were searching for the right person but in the wrong place. Jesus was no longer there. We make the same mistakes in our daily lives.  When we run into problems, we try to fix them ourselves, or allow anger to overcome us and sometimes make complete fools of ourselves. The bible is very plain when it tells us that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. (John 4:16). There is no other way to our God in heaven but through Jesus, his only son, who sacrificed his life and died on the cross so that you and I could live. Jesus is at the right hand of God and speaks to the father on our behalf. He is our advocate and without Him we are unable to come before God. (Romans 8:34). Jesus, as our advocate, pleads to God for us who accept him. He pleads for those of us who have accepted the way, the truth and the life. Have you accepted Jesus? If not, please pray these simple words and believe. “ DEAR LORD JESUS, I BELIEVE THAT YOU DIED ON THE CROSS JUST FOR ME. I KNOW THAT YOU LOVE ME VERY MUCH. I ADMIT TO YOU THAT I AM A SINNER AND CONFESS MY SINS TO YOU. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN! If you made the commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, please let me know. I thank you for reading my blog. Remember. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite candy?
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THE CHANGE

” but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

As we begin our new life in Christ, we are to succumb to Him and allow Him to actively work in our lives. We are to allow a change that will create in us a new way of life. We are to trust and allow our God in heaven to change our worldly life into a life that is God-like. Our actions will turn into actions that represent our Lord, our desires will turn into God’s desires, and we will truly become a child of God. God has sent us the Holy Spirit to live within us. His purpose is to lead us and produce Christ-like character is each of us. We should listen to Him and follow his direction for our lives each day. To help us change, we should continue to pray and ask God to transform our minds. (Philippians 4:8). We should read his Holy Word and fill our minds with the things of the Lord. (Joshua 1:8). We should meditate on scripture throughout the day and allow his truths to sink in. (Psalm 1:2). We must do our part by listening, understanding and putting into action the things of God. We are all loved dearly by our God in heaven. He gives us ample opportunity to change and allows us access to all the tools that will help us along the way. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Do you need a break? From what?
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JUST KEEP FOLLOWING JESUS!

” How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways.” Romans 11:33

” For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.” Romans 11:36

I doubt that there is a person who is reading today’s blog that hasn’t tried to understand the ways of God. I know that I have. Even though I have no chance at really understanding why he allows things to happen as they do, I continue to try hard to put the pieces together, but I always fail. Romans 11:33 tells us directly that it is impossible to understand his decisions and his ways. We must never forget, as Romans 11:36 reminds us, all things (1) come from him; (2) exist by his power; and (3) are intended for his glory. Who is in control? Our God in heaven is in total control. We must remember that this is his plan and not ours. All things happen the way they do so that our Lord God will be glorified. We may not understand why we didn’t get that promotion at work or why some get ill, and others don’t. Why do you and I live in the greatest country in the world and others live in countries where people exist and not really live. God has the whole picture before him and not just a piece of the picture. He created the strategy, he created the world, and he created you and me to be in his great plan. Have you ever wondered why you were born in this age? We were born at this time because we have an assignment to fulfill on behalf of our God in heaven. It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, white, brown, black or yellow, we all have a mission to complete if we have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. We must stay in complete obedience to his Word and live our lives as he tells us. We must listen to the Holy Spirit and do as he directs. Our assignments come from prayer, meditation in his Word and glorifying him daily. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
The most important invention in your lifetime is…
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BELIEF TO FAITH

” for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.” Romans 3:26

“But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God, who forgives sinners.” Romans 4:5

What does the word “believe” really mean? To believe is to have trust in something or someone. It does not require proof, just acceptance. When we truly believe in Jesus, we have complete confidence in him. We have no doubts in his truths and existence. We are totally convinced, without doubt, that he walked this earth, was persecuted and nailed to the cross for our sins and our lives. It is because of belief in our Lord that our faith springs forward and becomes a seed that grows within us. It is because of faith that we are counted as righteous before our God. We are not righteous because we teach Sunday School every Sunday, or because we attend church faithfully. We are not righteous just because we say that we believe in a God. We are not righteous of any works we do here on earth unless those works are the result of our faith in Christ. It is by faith that we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. It is by faith that we accept the promises of our God in heaven. It is by faith that we put God’s word into action in our lives and are living testimonies within this world. It is by faith that we believe in eternal life with our God in heaven. I talk a lot about building our faith. It is so important that our faith is unable to be moved by any struggle or doubts put in our paths. It is our strong faith that will get us through sadness, worries, doubts, jealousies and other obstacles of this world. It is by our strong faith that we can continue to be joyful in a world of hate and disappointment. Let us continue to read the Word of our God each day, meditate on it, pray and communicate with our Lord and praise him in all situations. Let us continue to build our faith brick by brick each and every day! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Daily writing prompt
Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.
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OUR SHIELD AND PROTECTION

” His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Psalm 91:4

As we read and meditate upon Psalm 91, we soon see that it is a Psalm of protection. It offers the assurances of God’s protection to those of us who trust in him and seek refuge in him. It is a lesson that not only encourages us to stand firm in the Lord in times of need but teaches us that we can and should turn to him as our ultimate source of strength. When we do, we will find comfort is in unfailing love. We are to build up a strong confidence in God. As we live in a world where people only live in the moment, we are called to not only live in the moment but to also live for the future, by believing and receiving everlasting life in Jesus. We are not to depend upon our ways and our thoughts, but we are to depend upon God and his faithful promises for our lives. He is our security system, and He never fails. We don’t have to change batteries or depend upon the electricity to run the system. He is our strength, our protection, and our safety net. He is the almighty one, the one who is all powerful. He is present everywhere and knows everything (Psalm 139). When we believe in him, trust in him and live within his shadow, we stay close to him. There is nothing more powerful than our God in heaven. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
How do significant life events or the passage of time influence your perspective on life?
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THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN THE CROSS OF CHRIST!

“People do not live by bread alone, rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the lord.” Deuteronomy 8:3

“And we know that He causes everything to work together for the good of those who have God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

When your world comes tumbling down around you what is the first thing you think of? What is the first action you take when the world around you begins to crumble? Do you become angry? Do you begin to think of things that you can use as revenge? Do you run and hide in fear? As we read God’s word every day and as we build our faith in Him, we find that he provides everything we need to be overcomers. We begin to understand that our world is much more than eating and drinking but is full of spiritual strength that comes with our strong faith and inherent trust in Him. We begin to experience the joys with the heartbreaks and begin to realize that if we trust in our God in heaven, he will use our hardships for his good and that as we trust in him, we will be blessed. He loves us and will never give us more than we can handle. When we confront problems at home or at work we should immediately turn to our Lord for help. He is the force who has the answers. He is the one who sees our needs and the needs of those around us. Our hurts may be needed in order to bless someone else. We must realize that we are fighting a spiritual war and not a physical one that is touted by the world. Yes, there are worldly wars going on around us, but you and I are fighting in a spiritual warfare each day. Because we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are included in the attacks of the devil and his army. So, when we are attacked, we must go to our general, our Lord and Savior and follow him and not try to win our wars alone. We must remember that he is our first and only source of strength! He loves us and we should love him! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Something on your “to-do list” that never gets done.
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SHARING WITH JESUS!

“But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” Romans 8:17

Have your ever met someone who has lived a perfect life? Have you ever seen someone who has gone through life without a problem, a worry or a struggle? You would think that that those who follow Jesus would be able to lead such a life. Well, that could not be further from the truth. As you look at the lives of those in biblical history who have followed Jesus, you see that they had great struggles. They were persecuted and some even died terrible deaths just as Jesus did. However, with faith in Jesus, our God in heaven has provided to us the tools we need to overcome our hardships in this life. Yes, we will have problems as we walk this earth. We will be looked down upon, persecuted, made fun of and some will even be thrown into jail for their beliefs. But it is through all of these terrible experiences that our Lord wants to shine through. He wants to be glorified through how we live our lives and how we are able to handle the struggles we face. We are told plainly that we are to believe, receive and put into action his promises he has provided for us. We are to believe in things unseen and not in the things of the world. It is by faith that we will become overcomers and it is by putting God’s promises into action that we will overcome our battles. It is by faith in the promises he has so graciously given us, that we will be able to share in his glory. However, we must first allow him shine through us in our times of struggle. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite thing to cook?
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HE IS THE REASON!

” And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries for tomorrow- not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38-39

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the reason. He is the reason we draw a breath each morning. He is the reason we are not forsaken and the reason we are healed physically mentally and spiritually. He is the reason for our abilities to talk, walk & communicate with others. He is the reason that we have the freedoms that we have. There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from his gracious love. There is no force in this world that can tear us away from his loving arms. There is no power that exist that can hurt us because he is with us. He is the reason we have life. Jesus died so that we could live. We can be confronted with worries, doubts, fears, sadness, anger, jealousy, sickness, disease and all that the devil himself can throw at us, but we can never be separated from our Lord Jesus. He sets at the right hand of God and pleads for us each day. He is the reason we can pray and talk to our God in heaven. He is the reason we are overcomers of the evil that surrounds us. He is the reason that we have hope and eternal life ahead of us. He is the reason for our life and the way we live it. HE IS THE WHOLE REASON AND NOTHING BUT THE REASON FOR OUR EXISTANCE! JESUS IS LORD!

Daily writing prompt
Write about your first computer.
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OUR DUTY

“In the same way, when you obey me, you should say, ‘ we are not worthy servants we have simply done our duty.” Luke 17:10

Everyone who is put upon this earth must eventually make a choice. We make that choice between good and evil. It is between accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior or taking the other path of following the world we live in. If any have been in the service of this country, they know well that you take an oath and are trained up to defend our country, which becomes a duty and not your free will. It becomes a dedication within your life. You are paid a monthly check for the duty you perform. Joining God’s army is no different. When we enlist, we take an oath by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We repent of our sins, and we live our lives with faith in Jesus and according to his plan. We read the bible which becomes our guide and our manual for the war against evil that we enter into. We learn to pray and how to build our faith. We are taught how to keep our focus on our end goal and not the problems or troubles we face at hand. None of us are worthy to be accepted into God’s army. But because of God’s love for us and the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ, we have that great opportunity. When we join, we are accepting eternal life as our payment. Our faith in His word and His existence allows us the strength to move forward and to do our duties.  We must follow our leader and walk into battle each day with faith and complete trust in His leadership. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS! JESUS IS LORD!

Bloganuary writing prompt
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
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BIND YOUR FAMILY IN THE LOVING ARMS OF JESUS!

“When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91:15

Our God in heaven is faithful in all he says and does. He never back tracks and never fails us. He clearly tells us that if we call upon him, he will answer us. He may not answer on our time schedule or even with the answer we desire. God sees the whole picture while you and I see only a small fraction of what he sees. He makes decisions that affect our whole life and not just a moment in time. He promises that he will deliver us from our problems and troubles. Again, he never fails. There are over eight thousand promises in the bible, and many come with conditions that you and I must meet. These conditions come in the name of trust and faith in the Lord’s decisions and actions. He promises to give us salvation (eternal life). Our salvation is based upon accepting Jesus into our hearts and laying our sins at his feet with repentance.  Let us all include those around us in this joy. Let’s not be fearful of the change, that loving and accepting Christ brings into our lives, but instead stand proud to defend him and believe in him in the face of persecution and trials. Stand firm and without fear and doubt. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Bloganuary writing prompt
What do you complain about the most?
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THE HEAVY WEIGHT

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18

The world that we live in is full of all kinds of obstacles that try to take us down daily. There is worry, doubt, fear, anger, pain, and sorrow, to name just a few. It is my guess that each of us have been attacked by these evils one time or another. When we are attacked, they become like a heavy anchor on a ship, they stop us in our tracks. They make us do things that we may not otherwise do. They make us say things that we not otherwise say. They hold us down in chains so that we cannot move with freedom and joy. There are those who have taken their own lives because they have allowed these factions to overcome them.  When we continue to focus on these evils, we sometimes allow ourselves to be controlled by them, and when that happens, we lose all joy and desire for life. Those around us are affected by the ways we act and speak. Our God in heaven has given us a way to overcome these things and live our lives with peace and understanding. He tells us that he is close to the brokenhearted and that he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. A few months ago, my wife and I lost our son to brain cancer. This was an event that we had hoped would never happen. Even though we knew it may be inevitable we held out hope. We prayed and worshiped our Lord each and everyday. Finally, the Lord decided that it was his time and took him rather quickly. Even though it was extremely hard to lose him we were assured, through our prayers, that he was with the Lord and that he was in a much better place. He had accomplished his purpose here on this earth. We will always love him, and he will never be replaced as a member of our family. Our hearts were broken. We had crushed spirits. We asked the question, “why God?” What we found out was that God is with us. He gave us a peace of mind that we never thought we would have. For as long as we live on this earth, we will never forget our son! We have all of the good memories stored in our minds, but we do know that we will be with him again someday. Just as we all go through tough times, we should always keep Jesus first in our lives. He does heal us physically, mentally and spiritually. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Bloganuary writing prompt
What are your favorite sports to watch and play?
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God’s Temple

” Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We have been bought with a price. It was a very steep price at that. God displayed his love for us by providing his only son to come to the earth, walk through persecution, pain, and a cruel death, just so you and I could live. The life that Jesus gave upon that cross is beyond anything that we can really comprehend. As a result of the resurrection of Jesus, God sent His precious Holy Spirit to live within us. Our bodies, our lives and our very existence have become the temple of the living God. We are to treat our bodies with respect and honor. When Jesus walked this earth, the temple was a place where God’s people could go to be in his presence, preparing them to become that holy presence on earth. If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we are identified as a Jesus follower, and our role is the same as the role of the temple in the days Jesus walked the earth. Our bodies have become that temple, God’s temple. When we are around others, they should feel our Lord’s presence within us. They should be able to hear God’s words coming from our mouths, observe his joy in our hearts, and see his wisdom and understanding from the way we live our lives. As a follower of Jesus, we become separated from the rest of the world by our attitudes and way of life. We are his temple on earth and should be preparing those around us to become followers of Jesus. As we read and meditate upon his word each day, we better understand what his desires are for our lives. When we pray, he gives us the opportunity to ask for forgiveness and guidance for the correct path to take. He loves us so much that we have become his Holy Temple! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Bloganuary writing prompt
What would you do if you won the lottery?
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JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD!

“So, you should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11

“So, use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” Romans 6:13

Jesus is the Lamb of God. He is the Son of God and was chosen as the sacrifice for both you and for me. In John 1:29, John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, ‘BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.’ When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we accept his characteristics as well. We accept his gentle nature and innocence. When we accept him, we should consider ourselves dead to the power of sin and alive to Jesus! That does not mean that we will never sin again. It means that we are no longer controlled by the world and the sinful nature within. We have submitted ourselves to God and his way of life. We are to reflect Jesus is our speech and our way of living on this earth. We are to use our whole bodies as examples of God’s ways, as He exchanged the life of his son, for ours. God sent Jesus to be slaughtered like a lamb of sacrifice because of our sins, and so that you and I can live eternally with him. Our focus in life becomes Jesus and not the world. Our focus is on Jesus and not our problems or any troubles we may encounter. We begin to build a faith that allows us to believe in the things unseen rather than the things seen in this world. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the sacrifice given for you and for me. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Bloganuary writing prompt
What books do you want to read?
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FAITH BRINGS JOY

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us to develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love.” Romans 5:3-5

There is not one in this world who has not endured some struggle within their lives. Everyday there seems to be something new thrown into our pathway that we must overcome. The true meaning of ‘endurance’ is the ability to withstand hardship or adversity. Spiritual endurance is the power to withstand hardship or stress with power from within. Faith in Jesus gives us strength and power in our lives. We look at all things in a completely different light than the world does. When things start to crumble around us, we as followers of Christ Jesus, do have the ability to withstand all that is happening. Our faith allows us to believe in the spiritual powers around us. Romans 5:3-5 tells us very clearly that God has given each of us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love. With this love comes joy and forgiveness. I have learned over the years that when any problem arises, no matter how small or large, the first thing I do is turn it over to God. Then a peace comes over me knowing that God is in control and will take care of me. This is not easy, but with faith and by putting our faith to work in our lives, it becomes a practice that develops over a period of time. Let us all take time to read his word, pray and practice the power of faith in our lives. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Bloganuary writing prompt
Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.
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OBEYING JESUS

” When Jesus came by, he looked up and called him by name. ‘ Zacchaeus!’ he said, ‘ Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.’ “ Luke 19:5

Zacchaeus was a Chief Tax Collector in Jericho who had heard of Jesus. When the Lord had entered the town of Jericho, Zacchaeus tried to get a look at Him. However, scripture tells us that he was a short man and could not see over the crowd. Zacchaeus was so determined to see Jesus that he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree in order to get a glimpse when he passed by. As Jesus approached the sycamore tree he looked up and called Zacchaeus by name, told him to climb down, and then told him that he must become a guest in his home today. I am sure that when Zacchaeus got up that morning, he never had a thought that he was going to have Jesus as a houseguest that evening. But he did. You and I are much like that tax collector. We hear of Jesus and of the great things he accomplished while he was on this earth, but the question is, do we know him? Have we developed that personal relationship that Zacchaeus did with the Lord? Have we gone out of our way to climb our sycamore tree? Do we have the determination to get to know Jesus on a personal level or are we just satisfied to hear of him and continue to learn of his ways? The bible tells us that even the demons know of his name. However, Jesus wants to get to know us on a personal level. He wants to be our life. With him we can do all things. With a great faith and trust in his many promises we will shut down worries and doubts that the devil tries so hard to put in our paths each day. He already knows our name just as he knew Zacchaeus. There is no doubt that he is calling our name. If we do just as Zacchaeus did and obey him, and allow him in our lives, we will not be free from trouble but will be free from defeat. Open the door for him and let him in. He wants to be a guest in your house today. Begin to look to him each day in prayer, in the study of his word and with praise for what he does for us. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Bloganuary writing prompt
What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?
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TRAIN UP AND PRACTICE YOUR FAITH!

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

For all the years from the time we are born until the day we accept Jesus, we practice the way the world instructs us to. But when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become a new person. We change. We become different and are no longer belong to the ways of the world. We are to live our lives completely opposite of most of the ways we have been taught. We no longer live by believing the truth is proven by what we see. We no longer believe that the only way is our way. We no longer live our lives to only take care of ourselves and no one else. We change our lives to be like Jesus. We are to live by faith. We may not like everyone in the world, but we are to show respect and love them. Our message is not just about who we are but about who we are to be in Christ Jesus. We are to pick up his bible, (our guide), and we are to read it, meditate upon it and to ask God in heaven to help us understand.  We are to go out into the world, and we are to practice what it says. When we practice over and over it begins to become a part of us, it becomes our way of life. We must have faith, build upon our faith and put our faith into action. We must remember that nothing is impossible with God but that all things are possible through him. We must yield to him and believe in his ways and not ours. We must listen to him and allow him to direct our ways and lead us through the best times and the worst times. We must train ourselves up in the Lord and practice his ways in our lives. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Bloganuary writing prompt
Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.
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WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD LIKE?

“Then Jesus said, ‘ What is the kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree and the birds’ nest in it’. “ Luke 13: 18-19

The Kingdom of God is the spiritual realm over which God reigns as king. Jesus explained that the Kingdom of God is within us. As we continue to grow in the spirit, we become like that mustard seed. As we grow, we become happier and more positive in our thoughts and actions. We begin to pray more often and pray to our Lord every day. When we sin, we are fully aware and go directly to the Lord to repent and ask for forgiveness. We begin to read his holy word each day and we worship him, praise him and give thanks. God begins working within us to change our hearts. Our lives begin to physically change and as we grow our faith becomes stronger. As born-again believers, the Kingdom of God is within us, it is among us, and it is at our door.  PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Bloganuary writing prompt
List five things you do for fun.
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IT IS BY FAITH!

” It is by faith that a righteous person has life.” Romans 1:17

To be righteous in the sight of our God, we are to be in right standing with him. We are to show the qualities of obeying and believing in him. When we believe and begin to lead a righteous life our character or nature changes and we begin to desire the things of God. Our attitude changes. Instead of being self-righteous or going along with the ways of the world, we begin to live a life that demonstrates the goodness of our Father in heaven. We begin to consider the feelings and the lives of others. We begin to imitate the ways of our Lord Jesus. Our words and the way we present ourselves begin to change. There is no more using the Lord’s name in vain. There are no more curse words and disgusting thoughts and desires. Our right standing with God is based upon His standards and not ours. It is by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior that our life begins, our attitudes change, and our desires are holy and not of the world. Yes, we are still human and sometimes stumble. But when we do, we recognize it, ask for forgiveness and ask the Lord to help us move forward. Our righteousness is a result of our faith in Jesus! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Bloganuary writing prompt
If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?
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