Facebook

I guess I am like most everybody else these days: I enjoy "playing" on Facebook. I know I am also guilty of this, but it is very comical what some people write on their status. One I read recently said, "I just woke up, now I am gonna watch some TV..later". Another one simply said, "Taking the dog for a walk." Do we really believe that there are people out there that truly care that much about us and what we do?

I bet if Jesus had a Facebook account, He would love to see every single one of our posts. I saw a movie one time about Jesus coming to earth as a man and visiting a teenager. She didn't believe He was really Jesus until later in the movie. When she realized He was truly Christ, of course she was full of thousands of questions. After answering most of them for her, Jesus then started asking her some questions. She started answering His questions, and then it hit her, and she stopped in mid-sentence. She said, "Lord, why are you asking me anything? You are Jesus and know everything I am going to say even before I say it." I will never forget His response. He smiled very warmly and replied, "Yes I do know what you will say, but I sure am enjoying having a conversation with you." We can "Facebook" Jesus anytime just by praying. I bet it would thrill Him for us to just talk to Him...even if it is in short "status updates".

Jeremiah 33:3 says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Father, here is my status update for You: "Just woke up. Gonna go through my day speaking with You often". In Jesus name, Amen.

It Is Over

Goodbye 2010. Although there were some good times, the year as a whole was not a good one for me. And it was totally my fault. For one thing, I got away from writing devotions. That one bad decision led to a domino-effect of bad consequences. But not this year, Satan. You hear me! Jesus is and always will be Lord of my life. You have been kicked from my life, Satan. Trust me, it won't be a long process. My Jesus promises me it will be instantaneous!

So happy New Year to all. I pray that God wraps you in so much peace that you can hardly stand it. Let 2010 and Satan go....welcome in 2011 and our precious Jesus Christ.

Psalm 40:2 says, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock gave me a firm place to stand."

Father, I love you. I dedicate my life to you in 2011.

It's The Thought That Counts

I wanted to share with you what my daughter Bailey did last night at the grocery store. While we were buying a few items, she came up to me and asked for a couple dollars. I reached into my wallet and took out two bucks. As I was handing it to her, I guess I just naturally asked what she needed. She said, "I am going to donate it to the lady outside who is collecting for diabetes research." I thought to myself, "instead of buying some junk?" I was very proud of her at that very moment.

But then the funny part hit me: It is so easy to be generous with somebody else's money. I nearly laughed and wondered why she didn't just ask for 5 or 10 dollars. Bailey has a kind heart, with my money or with her own. The more I thought about it, the more I wondered if I would have given those same two dollars to the lady outside. I guess the bottom line is that the money was given, and hopefully it will do some good. Is it truly the thought that counts? This time, it was my 14-year old's thought that counted the most. I love you, Boo.

Psalm 112:5 says, "Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely."

Father, thank-you for Bailey. She is such an awesome young lady, and I am so lucky you chose me to be her daddy. In Jesus name, Amen.

As Good As...Almost New

First of all, I wanna thank those who commented on my recent devotion concerning being a little upset at God. Your comments were very thought-provoking and really helped me deep down. So again, thank-you very much.

Today I had some medical trouble that landed me in the E.R. When I got there, I was praying like crazy, asking God to take away the pain and discomfort I was feeling. Due to the pain, needless to say my blood pressure was through the roof. It is amazing what the Good Lord and a doctor can do. I am back home now and feeling 100% better. I am having a slight case of insomnia, but I think that is more because I wanted to write this devotion. I got to thinking how we can have moments of extreme pain, and then with some help, can have moments of total relief. That's what I experienced today physically. But we also have those same episodes spiritually. Yesterday, I was questioning God why such mean people can hurt the innocent, and in turn, hurt us. But then today I can pray to God for relief, and He can give it to me in such a short time. Yesterday, I was "upset" at God. But today, I didn't hesitate to ask him to cure my physical pain. So I wanted to give God some praise for helping me today physically and spiritually. I have learned that it is OK to be upset with Him sometimes. He still loves us enough to make all our hurts and fears go away. Thank-you, Lord for helping me learn another level of your incredible Grace. You are my Lord; Please use me however You want.

Pure Hell

I am writing this devotion just to get it off my chest. I invite you to give your thoughts in the "comments" section. When I read the testimony of Elizabeth Smart and learn of the pure hell her captor put her through, first of all, I realize I have no problems that can even compare. Second, how could a person possibly be so cruel to another human being? How could that monster completely rob that little 14-year old baby of her life? And this question hurts to ask: How could a loving, caring God ALLOW that child to go through such horror? I know it is not my place to question God, and I also know He lets people make up their own minds. I understand it was not God's fault, but why would He allow it to happen?

I love the Lord and believe He will "fix" humanity one day. It almost makes me think I am sinning to ask God why He would allow this to happen, for He is perfect and none of us come close to understanding His perfect ways. But He also gave me a brain and a heart. Doesn't He understand that sometimes we can be so over-whelmed by grief that we may ask such questions? Is it alright for us to be "upset with God" during these times?

Forgive Me, Forgive Me Not

I have a friend (we'll call him John) who is constantly deciding to start all over. Do you know what I mean? He decides to do everything for Christ, then after a little while, he back-slides. Soon after, he will ask everyone to forgive him and then start the whole process over. It's like he can't stay on the right path long before something comes along and derails him. Gosh, how many times will I continue to fall for his "I'm sorry, please forgive me" line? How many "just one more chances" do I give him? The fact is, as a human, I may number those "one more chances" that I allow him, and one of these times, it will be just too late; I will give up. I can't keep going through this time and time again. Do you blame me?

Our Jesus goes through this "on again, off again" process with every single one of us to some degree or another. We may not be able to forgive others 100 times, but Jesus sure does. Thank God for that! So if you are like John, and I think we all probably are, then rest assured that Jesus forgives us EVERY SINGLE time we ask Him. Don't worry if other people won't keep forgiving you; that is their problem. God does! And to show our appreciation for that, we should really work on forgiving others...no matter how many times they ask.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14, "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you."

Father, forgive me of all my sins. Thank-you for being a gracious God. Please help me to forgive all others. In Jesus name, Amen.

He Has The Power To Save

I have a serious concern that I am sure everyone reading this devotion can relate to. I have someone in my family who has chosen NOT to accept Christ. This person has so completely shut out the idea, that he has asked me to no longer talk about anything that has to do with religion. I must honor his wishes. All I can really do now is just keep loving him and praying for him. It is truly a decision that he has to make on his own. I can only hope that God will stir his heart when the time is right.

You know, we have always been told to just turn everything over to God and let him shoulder our burdens. But as humans, we can't help but to worry ourselves sick in situations like this. I know I sure have worried about it, and I am sure I will continue to worry about it. Do you have someone you are also worried about? We have to remember all the miracles God has performed over the years and believe that He can also handle this situation. The Bible teaches us that when we accepted Christ, it was only because the Holy Spirit drew us unto Him. We can not take any credit for our decision. That Truth does give me some comfort to think that maybe my loved one has not accepted Christ, not because he has chosen that path, but because God hasn't drawn him in yet. I pray that He will...soon.

John 6:44 says, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

Father, thank you for drawing me and allowing me to be a Christian. I pray for those who may still be waiting. In Jesus name, Amen.

Still In Command

In a time when our President has all but turned us into a Socialist nation, in a time when terrorist rule the world, in a time where the gay agenda is Top Story, it's good to know that our Lord and Savior is still in command. Are these the bad days the Bible warns us about? Only time will tell. But I am thankful I still have Jesus to comfort me...no matter what times we may be in.

Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."

Father, please keep us from evil. In Jesus name, Amen.

Confirmation

I just want to confirm my faith in humanity. Today, one of my students stole my phone from my top desk drawer at school. I do not know who it was, but I forgive him. Oh, it hurt me deeply. But God reminded me that MOST of the blame should be placed on Satan, not just on the person. Satan causes all of us to make some poor decisions. Well, at least he has caused me to make some. So whomever you are, I forgive you, and so does our sweet Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14, "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

Father, forgive them...and forgive me. Keep us all safely away from Satan. In Jesus name, Amen.

Are You Ready?

I am absolutely sick! It just ran right out in front of me. All I can think about now is some little boy or girl crying over their puppy. Gosh, what an awful feeling! But it did get me to thinking:

We don't know when our time will come, but we all must be ready for it. I don't really know how one plans for such a thing physically, but I certainly know how the Bible says we should plan for it spiritually: We must accept Christ and make Him Lord! Do you have life insurance? Do you have everlasting life insurance?

Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Father, forgive me. In Jesus name, Amen.