Did You Know You Travel Protected?

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. This is the word I heard when I went to bed last night.

The nativity scene is quite serene isn’t it? But the shepherds in the field had to have weapons to help keep the wolves away from the sheep. And the Wise men didn’t travel without protection either. They were wealthy carrying expensive presents and could be attacked at any moment. And as for the nativity – the barn? It was a barn not a pretty little box with some straw in it. It had the usual sights sounds and smells of a normal barn. Germs included. None of us who have birthed children would want to have a baby in a barn. And none of us ever like feeling we have no protection and nothing to fight back with if we encounter attacks on our lives.

Oh beloved, this morning God is speaking. The equipping of the saints includes weaponry. We don’t have to be fearful or useless in battle. We carry the glory of the Lord with us wherever we go. We have protection. We are protected from the enemy and we are endowed to carry out that protection. Amazing isn’t it?

God wants you to know this morning that because God has provided for you in every way you can be fearless in the face of great fear. You can be relentless in the fact of amazing danger. You can be spiritual in the face of carnal activity. You are not subject to the nature of the enemy because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Jesus was Jesus, even though the nature of His birth looked earthly it didn’t change who He was, nor did it change His destiny. You’ve been born again to fulfill the Kingdom purpose for your life. Nothing about your natural birth and raising will ever change that. But God wants to equip you to go the distance, stay the course and having done all – to stand.

God loves you and He is for you. You’ve been given this great spiritual life – being born again. The old man is dead, the new life has come! Rejoice that you don’t have to relive your failures or sit in defeat over the enemy. Run to the Lord this morning and thank Him for all His provisions. God knew you before you were born and His plans for you are wonderful! Thank Him this morning, ask Him to teach you about spiritual warfare and live in the Light of His bountiful supply!

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ AMP

I John 4:4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Time To Celebrate

My dad was so into Christmas that we had a plastic Santa in our yard. Not only that, but he would put the family record player on the front porch and play Christmas music for the neighbors! My mom joined right in. Even the door handles had decorations on them. Between the two of them, Christmas was definitely enjoyed and displayed.

Oh beloved, God knows. Some folks just don’t like Christmas. Either there is family sorrow attached to the season or it’s just too much trouble. It’s okay. The season of Christmas is so much more than just having a tree or putting out a Santa on your lawn.
But listen precious believer. Everything about this life is to be celebrated. It’s the joy that changes everything. It’s the peace that gives the heart rest. And it’s the pause at the sights and sounds that recharges the hardest of hearts.

God wants you to know that even if He didn’t invent Christmas, He did give you Christ. And Christ is worth celebrating all year long! With Christ you can have a party of two – you and Him. With the Word you can create a holy holiday – rejoicing in the truth that Christ in you is the hope of Glory! Don’t let the sadness of your life be what you celebrate. You’re not the sum of the saddest Christmas you ever had! You are the ambassador of love – and love came down from Heaven and met with mankind. This meeting has given you a reason to live, love and enjoy life!

God loves you and He’s for you. Run to Him this morning and thank Him for all He has done for you. And look at Christmas as your great opportunity to live a little more joyful and a lot more hopeful as you walk in the Light and live for Jesus all year long!

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Are You A Praying Man?

Every year we watch the movie, It’s A Wonderful Life at least once. Last night was our first time for this season. Each year there seems to be something more heart touching about it. Sure enough last night was no exception.

What struck me this year were the words from George Bailey’s own mouth. “I’m not a praying man”. It was followed by prayer. In fact, George Bailey was a praying man. It’s just that up until that moment in the story of his life, he had not found a reason to pray. But His whole life led up to that pivotal moment. He had lived through disappointment after disappointment all his life. But up until then he just took life as it came. Finally, he came to a point where he had to resort to a “Higher Power” than himself.

Oh beloved, prayer is not a sign of weakness. But God will bring us to that point of weakness so that we will call on Him. You are so precious to God. Every single one of you. So precious that He will move heaven and earth to get you to a personal place with Him. It isn’t that He is making things rough on you for punishment or His wrath. It’s for your very good that He brings you to the precipice of decision.
God wants you to know this morning that He hears every silent plea and every loud cry! He is with you. And His greatest desire is for you to see Him as He really is. For in finding Him and knowing Him you will find yourself – your true worth. Rolling with the punches is not His plan for you. Rolling all your cares on Him is His plan for you. The suffering moments, hours, days of life are not meant to beat you down. They are used by God to bring you so close to Him you can hear His breath in your ear. And it brings Him so close to you that He hears your heartbeat and never misses a single moment.

God loves you and He’s for you. This is truly a Wonderful Life you have if you know the Lord. Run to Him this morning and ask Him about your life. Give Him your life fresh and new this morning. Thank Him for everything that has brought you to the point of total dependence on Him. And live in the Light of His overwhelming, never ending loving care for you!

Romans 6:4 We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

John 15:11 I have told you that so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Psalm 18:2-3 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

No Way To Complain

As we packed up the leftovers into our refrigerator last night I was reminded that we always have more than enough. No way to complain about leaving our house hungry. The refrigerator is stuffed now!

Oh beloved. God speaks to our hearts. No way to complain. Even if our houses are empty at times, our hearts can always be full. God is the provider of every good and perfect gift. He is never going to give you and I bad gifts because there is only Light in the Lord.

You may be wondering how to give thanks and not complain. God wants you to know it’s simple. Just give thanks. Be grateful. Acknowledge God as your Source. The intimacy you develop with the Lord will reap blessings beyond just the physical. Nevertheless, He is the Blesser for His own. Even when He convicts and causes your conscience to be touched by something in your life, it is pure love that is moving there. He has no desire to destroy or belittle or harm. Pure love sees beyond the problem and grants access to forgiveness, redemption and more. You aren’t the sum of how you were raised or how your life was before you knew Christ. This is the greatest blessing and goes beyond human complaints. Christ in you, the Hope of Glory! The Spirit of the Living God dwells in you and He quickens your mortal body and causes you to triumph in heavenly places in Christ!

God loves you and He’s for you. Even now as you deal with leftover problems or unsolved situations. He is with you! He is working everything out for you! Run to Him this morning and ask Him for more. More wisdom – more power – more love! So that you can understand the place of blessing you live in as a believer. And so you can pour out blessings in your life instead of complaints! And live in the Light of God’s commendation of Himself through your life!

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world

Thanksgiving? Yes!

We have been blessed with a plan for the best Thanksgiving in 5 years. All our family together on Friday. Today Danny and I will relax and do some cooking at our leisure. But our family plan suddenly changed yesterday with a family member getting sick. One moment all together next moment all changed.

Oh beloved, God speaks to our hearts. We can all relate can’t we? What is God doing in these days? How can we make it when disappointments come? For sure we will still have a family get together. And for sure we will check on the ones who are sick. And for sure this too shall pass.

But God wants you to know understand and settle some things for this Thanksgiving and beyond. Your Holiday and life plans can change in a moment – but God never changes. You can go from strong to helpless in moments – but God is your help always. You may not understand what God is doing, or if He is even doing anything, in these uncertain times – but God is always on the move. It may look like you have nothing to give thanks for but thankfulness to God happens as you rely on Him for the things only He can provide.

God understands disappointment. He asked His disciples why they couldn’t tarry with Him for one hour didn’t He? They woke Him up, the King of Kings, to a storm that they knew would kill them all – while He slept in peace right? I get it. You get it. Disappointments and discouragement and disaster all happen while we are making other plans. BUT GOD! He is our Source and our Portion forever. It’s time for you to block the enemy’s bitter voice for He only makes you more bitter. And it’s time to turn up the worship and amplify the praise! You aren’t the sum of the troubles you face – you are an ambassador of hope and comfort to yourself as you speak the truth in your own heart and to others as you walk in freedom and joy!

God loves you and He’s for you. Happy Thanksgiving in spite of it all. Run to Him this morning and thank Him for every good and perfect gift. Pray for the sick, rely on Holy Spirit and live in the Light of all Christ has done for you even in the changes that come your way.

Psalm 118:17 I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord.

Luke 20:38 Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.

Psalm 86:5 For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Ephesians 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.