Devotionals from Dad

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There used to be a sitcom on TV called “A 1,000 Ways to Die.” The show featured all the different ways a person could have an unexpected death. Daily the news media tells us of how many people have been infected with COVID 19. According to the World Health Organization, over 79 million people in the United States have been infected with COVID 19 and 966,000 people have died. According to the CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of emergency department visits with infectious or parasitic diseases in 2018 was 3.4 million and of those 523,000 resulted in hospital admission. 

So my difficult question for you today is, are you an infectious person? Are you an “Infectious Christian?” Do you have an infectious smile? What personality traits of yours rub off on the people around you? When you are surrounded by your co-workers or your friends and family are you cheerful, do you cheer up the people you are with or are you an angry negative personality that makes those around you angry. Generally speaking if you are surrounded by someone that is loud and obnoxious then you become loud and obnoxious. Your personality can be like an infection can be easily spread from one person to another. Some infectious personalities are good and some are not so good.

 Ephesians 4: 29-32 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

What does it mean to be a contagious or infectious Christian, where our faith is “caught” by those around us? Most of us would love to see our non-Christian friends to step across the line of faith, but we are overwhelmed or intimidated by the idea of evangelism. We are overwhelmed by the idea of witnesses or sharing our faith with friends, family and neighbors. One reason that we struggle being an infectious Christian is fear and self-centered living. We get so involved in our daily lives we don't make time to talk with our friends about our faith. Sharing our faith with our friends doesn’t always come naturally. Most of us want to share the gospel but feel hesitation and fear, or don’t know how to start, what to say or how to answer questions we might encounter. We fear a bad reaction or worse, rejection. Sharing your faith should not be something that creates stress or induces worry but rather, evangelism should be an authentic part of how we, as Christians, conduct our lives. In other words, it should be our main goal to be an “Infectious Christian”, spreading our love for the gospel and Jesus by the way we live our lives and interact with others.

Proverbs 13:22 NIV A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. 

Is your personality one that leads others to God? Do people that know you, come to know God, because they know you? Are you an “Infectious Christian?” The greatest legacy you can have is to know that there is someone in heaven because of you. Because you were an “Infectious Christian.”

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Is it more difficult to have faith in God or to be and Atheist? Is it more difficult to believe that just the right components collided together by chance and created life or that a divine being spoke them into existence? If I found an aquarium in your house, with water and plants, an aerator and food in the just combination required to keep goldfish alive, I might reasonably believe that someone put it there because they wanted goldfish, not that it occurred by accident. So our universe is in a way is a large aquarium for humans. So isn’t it reasonable to suppose that, rather than being an accident, things were set up to allow for this development?

Imagine this! Let's say you went for a hike in the timber and you stumble upon an abandon cabin. Being the curious person you are, you decide to get a closer look. As you get closer you notice something strange. Coming from inside the cabin is the sound of your favorite music. As you step onto the porch of the cabin you smell the scent of you favorite meal. As you step inside the door of the cabin you see house slippers that are your size, a jacket that fits you perfectly, your favorite drink is sitting on the table chilled to perfection with your favorite cookies on a plate next to the drink and they are still warm! In the bathroom are all the exact toiletries that you use. Besides thinking you may be have just been cast as the lead character in someone's sick idea of a horror movie, what would you think? Maybe someone has prepared this for me. There are just to many things just right for this to be an accident!

Scientist have discovered in the past few decades that our universe is very similar to this cabin in my story. Freeman Dyson, an accomplished scientist, has stated and I quote, “As we look out into the universe and identify the many accidents of physics and astronomy that have worked to our benefit,... it is almost as if the universe must in some sense must have known that we were coming.” 

There are more that 200 known parameters that are necessary for a planet to support life, every single one of which must be perfectly met or no life would exist at all. One example of this is the planet Jupiter. It is a massively large, gravity rich planet that draws away asteroids that would destroy our planet if it was not in the exact place it is in our universe. Another example is something that is called the Goldilocks Zone. This the habitable zone around a star where it is not too hot and not too cold. Imagine if Earth was where Pluto is. The sun would be barely visible (about the size of a pea) and Earth's ocean and much of its atmosphere would freeze. On the other hand, if Earth took Mercury’s place, it would be too close to the sun and its water would turn to steam, quickly boiling off. The Goldilocks Zone is so remarkably small, it doesn't even include the whole earth. There regions even on our planet that are too cold for life to exist and there are places on earth for hot for life to exist. Back to my original question. Does it take more faith to believe that all life came into existence by accident or that a divine being, an all powerful God perfectly designed it all?

Psalm 53:1 NIV The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

God is eternal. God simply exists. God brought all matter, time, and space into existence. Place your faith in God!

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Simon Wiesenthal is a Jew that spent time in a Nazi concentration camp with his companions, Arthur and Josek, during the Holocaust. One day, Simon was taken on a march with other camp members. As he walked through a ghetto towards a hospital, Simon noticed some sunflowers in the German graveyard. Each grave had one. Simon immediately realized that there would be no sunflower on his grave, where corpses were piled on top of each other.

As he passed through the ghetto, a town in which he once lived, Simon comes across his old school. It had been turned into a hospital. When he arrived, a nurse approached him and asks him if he was a Jew. Simon answered yes and was taken to a room which used to be his Dean’s office. Simon finds himself at the bedside of a dying, Nazi SS soldier. Karl, was a 21-year old Nazi soldier. Karl's head was completely covered in bandages, with openings only for his mouth, nose and ears. Karl wanted to tell Simon his story.

The Nazi, haunted by the crimes he had committed, wanted to confess his crimes to a Jew in hopes of achieving forgiveness. The Nazi soldier said an order was given and we marched toward the huddled mass of Jews. There were a hundred and fifty of them or perhaps two hundred, including many children who stared at us with anxious eyes. A few were quietly crying. There were infants in their mothers' arms, but hardly any young men; mostly women and old men. A truck arrived with cans of gas which we unloaded and took into a house. Then we began to drive the Jews into the house. Then another truck came up full of more Jews and they too were crammed into the house with the others. Then the door was locked and a machine gun was posted outside. When we were told that everything was ready, we went back a few yards, and then received the command to remove pins from the hand grenades and throw them through the windows of the house. Behind the windows of the second floor, Karl saw a man with a small child in his arms. His clothes were on fire. By his side stood the mother of the child. With his free hand the man covered the child's eyes . . . then he jumped into the street. Seconds later the mother followed. Then from the other windows fell burning bodies... We shot them as they fell to the ground! I don't know how many tried to jump out of the windows but that one family I shall never forget - least of all the child, said Karl the Nazi Soldier."

Simon listened to the man’s story and then, he left the room without ever saying a word. Simon refused all other efforts by the nurse to go back and see the Nazi soldier. When he arrived back at the concentration camp, Simon told his friends what had happened and asked them if what he did was right. 

Many years after the war, Simon was still bothered by the choice he had made. Keep in consideration the amount of atrocities and suffering the Jewish population went through. Simon decided that it was not his right to forgive another for his sins. A deeper forgiveness must come from God. Who was Simon to say that someone was truly forgiven of their sins? 

An individual can personally forgive us if we've sinned against them, but we must remember our sin is also against God, so we must also seek His forgiveness. True healing comes from confessing our sins to one another. 

Colossians 3:13 NIV Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

As Christians we are called to forgive those who hurt us, those who hate us, and those who plan evil against us. Why is it that we think we need to be forgiven by God, but we can’t seem to forgive another imperfect human who is a sinner just like us?

Matthew 6:15 NIV But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. 

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I want to begin by giving credit where credit is do. My devotional today is mostly a quote from Pastor Greg Laurie. That being said I feel passionate about the truths he shared and think they are timely and should be repeated..... I am confident that we are all aware of what’s happening in Ukraine right now. They’re under attack from Russia. I am sure many of us may be wondering, “Is there anything prophetic about the war between Russia and the Ukraine?” Let's step back for a moment and realize this one fact, we are living in the last days. I believe Christ could come back at any moment. There are signs of the times the Bible tells us to be looking for. In fact, Jesus likened the end days to a woman in labor who’s ready to give birth, the idea being that the closer these signs of the end times are together or more frequent these signs get, the closer the labor pains get, the closer you are to the birth, the return of Christ. And as we see more signs—more things happening—they’re reminding us Christ is coming back soon. So what did Jesus say about his return? 

Matthew 24: 6-7 NKJV And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

This war is at a scale we have not seen in a long time. Let's look at another thing in Matthew 24. It talks about plagues or pestilence being around us in the last days. If the coronavirus is not a plague, I don’t know what it is. It’s a global plague! Also, the Bible warns of a world leader that will come and dominate and deceive people but ultimately will reveal his true colors. He’s called the Antichrist. I believe a lot of this government overreach, governments imposing themselves on people, is a sign of what is going to come later when Antichrist emerges on the scene. Matthew 24:24 says “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” So what should we do?.... So did Jesus say, “When you see these things begin to happen, freak out!” No, he didn’t say that.

Luke 21:28 NKJV So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” 

Here’s the bottom line: Bible prophecies are being fulfilled at this very moment in time. It seems like we’re seeing more things happen in real time, closer together, as the Scripture said they would be.

What should we do? We should look up, and we should remember that God is in control even in the midst of what seems to be chaos. As believers in Christ we have read the last page of the Bible, the last page of Revelation, and we win in the end!

Revelation 22: 20 NIV He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus Come.

 To wrap this up, we all need to be praying for the people of Ukraine. They’re going through a time of great suffering. We also should be praying for the people of Russia. God instructs us to pray for those who mistreat you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you, Pray for them!!! Pray that God gives to our leaders and other world leaders wisdom as they are going to be making very important decisions in the days ahead.

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Have you ever wondered how it is that your favorite store just seems to read your mind when it comes to things you maybe considering purchasing? How does the convenience store, “Caseys,” know that my favorite drink is the tropical flavor Vita Water and why does ORielly's Auto Parts know that my pickup needs the oil changed. How is it the Orschlen's Farm and Home store seems to know what bird seed I want to buy or Hy-Vee grocery store know that I might be needing sausage, bacon, bread and milk? Are they just incredibly lucky or is someone watching me. Unfortunately for me it is not luck. I have let each of these stores entice me into their loyalty card programs in hopes of saving a penny on my next purchase. This is one of the ways retailers track your spending habits. You'll notice the effect instantly when the receipt machine at the grocery store spews out a whole bunch of coupons for you, after you pay for your groceries. These are coupons based on what you have just bought, and what you have purchased in the past.

Have you ever been asked for you phone number when you make a purchase? Most people just give it out without even thinking. Once you give up that cell phone number, you are handing over all of your purchasing information to the retailer. And if that retailer is very savvy, such as retail store Target, they can analyze it with some sophisticated software to discover just what your future may hold. True story, a young woman was buying things that the retail store Target associated with an upcoming pregnancy like: cocoa-butter lotion, magnesium supplements, a large purse, and a powder blue rug. Target sent this girl a circular featuring a maternity clothing and baby furniture. Her parents were furious, until they found out later that she actually was pregnant.

To take this one step further, my wife's father passed away last year. The other day my wife and a friend at work were visiting about what to do with her fathers clothing. They spoke about donating it to thrift store or a church so that it could be given to a family in need. That very evening as my wife was checking her Facebook account, in her news feed, was an ad for a Non Profit organization called Church Women United. The ad said there mission was to make available used clothing and household items at a low price to the general public. Nearly all new smart phones have talk to text apps on them. They are called virtual assistants. Voice assistant apps, like Siri, Alexia and “Hey Google,” listen to your conversations and then send your personalized advertisements based upon the conversations you have. So, it’s no coincidence..... In today's world there are no secrets.... However, what most people don't realize is that even before all these innovations of technology there were no secrets!!! 

Whatever you have done or even thought, from the beginning of your life to the end, has all been observed and taken notice of by the all knowing God. Not only has God seen every thing you have done He has registered them in the book of his remembrance, and being the Righteous Judge, He will be able to bring them all into account on judgment day. Yes every thing you have done, even those things you think are unknown to others, even every secret thought of your heart has been seen and recorded by God.

Luke 12: 2-3 NIV There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. 

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People have become so self-centered. They have a total lack of empathy. They only think of what they can get to be bigger, to be better than everyone else, or richer than everyone else. Selfishness is like the plague. It spreads. It is contagious. People today are immature, lazy, and selfish. They’re constantly taking selfies and sharing them on social media. They make spectacular entrances. They walk into a room and announce “Here I am – Look at Me!!! They don't want to pay their dues at entry-level jobs and work their way up the corporate ladder. They think so highly of themselves that they believe that right out of school they should be the executive vice president. Many times they can’t afford to buy a home because they spend all their money on status symbols like designer clothes and fancy cars. And the worst part, people don't even recognize their selfishness. They call it pride, confidence, expertise and self motivation. 

What does the bible say about selfishness? James 3:16 says: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. Wow!!! That sounds like the latest headlines from the world news!

James 4: 1-2 NIV What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 

In Philippians 2:3 the bible says: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. We live in a world that actively encourages us to be self-centered. We’re regularly bombarded with commercials and slogans telling us, “You deserve a me day!”, “Treat yourself!”, or “Do what feels right by you!” To be selfish is to be concerned excessively or exclusively with yourself. Selfishness doesn’t bring the protection or satisfaction it promises. Selfishness can bring insecurity because we constantly wonder what people think of us. Selfishness can also make us stressed, as we rely on our own strength to do things only God can do. Selfishness is one of the biggest obstacles to having a close relationship with God. If we would take our blinders off and look at the world around us, and care what is happening around us, we might learn not to be so self-centered. 

The Bible is filled with verses which can help believers combat a selfish lifestyle. They encourage us to take a heavenly approach toward the world, and see ourselves through Jesus eyes. The love and care Jesus showed to people around him as he physically walked the earth healed their pain and changed their lives should be an example to us who profess to be his followers. Jesus lived his life selflessly, bringing hope to the world around him and to each of us. 

Romans 15: 1-2 NIV We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

God is not impressed by fast cars and fancy clothing. He desires a faithful heart. When we share with others and treat our neighbors with kindness, we reflect the light of Christ into their lives. The Kingdom of God is not built on silver or gold, but with the selfless actions. Jesus taught his disciples that the greatest commandment was to love God. The second was to love our neighbor. When you walk into a room instead of saying, “Here I am” maybe you should say, “There you are!” The gospel message isn’t spread through politics or popular trends, it’s shared one person at a time. How can we hope to be an effective witness if we’re too wrapped up in ourselves? Now is the time to get out of our own way. Step outside and meet your neighbor. Love your neighbor like yourselves!

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The story of Jesus kneeling to the floor and washing his disciples feet so they could dine together is one of the most profound pictures of our Savior’s love for us! Jesus cared so much about the details of his disciples lives, that He was willing to get messy to reach, teach, and show His love to the disciples, and this is still true today!!! Jesus cares about even the smallest details of your life and is willing to get messy to show you, that you are loved. None of your fears are too small, needs too silly, or stresses too insignificant, that God does not care about them. He cares about it all… even our stinky feet!

Feet washing was a necessary activity during the disciples time. When gathering to have a meal they would come in with their feet dust-covered, dirty, sweaty and stinky from walking the dirt roads. Cleaning of the feet would have been necessary because the group would have been reclining together at a low table and dirty, stinky feet would not be welcomed so close to their meal.

John 13: 6-9 NIV He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Peter was so zealous in his faith that he wanted Jesus to wash him from his head to his toes. Peter wanted to be completely cleansed. Once you place your faith in Jesus and ask him to forgive you of your sins you are completely forgiven. The Scriptures say that God will forgive our sins as far as the east is from the west. However, we all live and walk in a fallen world and we wade in sins daily. As I go about my daily routine I catch myself having a fit of road rage at the idiot in front of me that is sitting at the green light and not paying attention. I find myself looking a bit to long and the pretty young woman at the store. I catch myself laughing at the inappropriate jokes told at my work place when I should not be. For all the times I fail daily, I need to get on my knees and ask Jesus to forgive me and strengthen me so don't fall into sin again. I walk in a dirty fallen world daily and need my feet cleansed so that I can better serve Jesus Christ. 

John 13: 10 NIV Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean...

It was the servant of a household's job to wash the feet of incoming guests. This selfless act displayed Jesus’ amazing humility! He took the role of a servant to wash the dusty and dirt-covered feet of his disciples. Jesus was setting an incredible example of what it is to be “Christ-like” through his humble actions. Status, pride, or even dirt did not stop him from rolling up his sleeves to serve the men who had been at his side throughout the duration of his ministry. Jesus’ actions set an example of what it means to imitate him with our lives. We are called to be the servant of others, to live with humility, and love in every situation!

John 13: 14-15 NIV Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get dirty, to humbly serve, to be the servant of others, to live with humility, and love in every situation!!!

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Do you think that cancer will ever be cured. According to scientist, cancer is a group of diseases that we may never be able to cure completely, but they are optimistic that vaccines, personalized medicine and smart lifestyle choices will help prevent and treat a much greater proportion of cancers than currently happens. What about the covid pandemic? Do you think there will ever be a cure for the covid virus? Again while scientists are racing to find a cure for the virus, there's a chance covid will never fully go away with or without a vaccine.

Here is my hard question for you, how would you react if somehow you stumbled onto a cure for cancer or for covid? I know this may seem like question that is begging for an obvious answer. Of course if you discovered a cure for either cancer of covid you would immediately begin sharing that information with anyone you could get to listen to you!

What if I told you that as a Christian you have the cure for an illness that is far worse than cancer of covid! Humanity is corrupted by sin. As a result, all sin requires an eternal punishment. Immediately after death the souls of those who die without admitting they are a sinner, believing that Christ died on the cross for their sins and confessing him as their personal savior, will immediately descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell. Here is description of Hell from Mark.

 Mark 9: 43-48 NIV If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where the worms that eat them does not die, and the fire is not quenched!

What if I had a friend who died without know Jesus as their personal savior? What if he or she went to hell? What if one day I received a letter or email from beyond? A letter from Hell!!! A letter from my friend in the flames of eternal torment! Although I may have had many opportunities to tell my friend about Jesus I didn't. I shared my life with this friend, I would do anything for my friend but for some reason I never shared Jesus with my friend. Then one day there was a tragic car accident and suddenly my friend was dead. I attended the funeral. I cried with the family and friends. Then I went home. A few days later I received a letter from my friend from hell. It began like this. 

Jeff, I died today. It is a lot different than I thought it would be. I thought death would be a foggy and hazy but this place I am in is crystal clear. I can think, I can talk, I can even feel. Immediately after I died I found myself standing in the midst of these angelic creatures around this thing they called the book of life. They asked me for my name and they searched the book for my name, but they couldn't find it. Then another angel grabbed me by the arm and started dragging me away. I was terrified! I asked the angel where he was taking me. He said only those whose names were written in the book of life could enter into heaven and the rest are taken to hell forever. As the angel took me toward this hell I could smell the burning sulfur and brimstone. He cast me into the pit. I am filled with fear! The pain is unbearable as I am cast into the flames! Why didn't you ever tell me about Jesus? Signed your best friend!

Proverbs 3:28 NIV Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you” when you already have it with you. 

What if your procrastination to share Jesus Christ with your best friend leaves them in eternal torment in hell?

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Today’s devotional is specifically for screwed up people. If you are less than perfect, if you arrive at the end of your day and it didn’t go as you imagined and it’s mostly your fault, if you are a good starter and a bad finisher, a big talker – little doer, or somewhere in between, this is for you. If you’re living in a house with screwed up people, work with screwed up people, or share a highway with screwed up people, this devotional is for you.
Romans 3: 23-24 NIV For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
I sin, regularly. I fall short, every day. However, I am blessed through my faith in Jesus, I have grace. GRACE IS THE UNDESERVED FAVOR OF GOD. Maybe you deserve God’s favor more than I do, but I’m going to be honest and tell you I’m banking on that undeserved favor which comes through grace because I have a very unique and special way of screwing things up.  I can be so totally OCD, so obsessed with things that I drive those around me crazy. When Joyce and I have conversations about mechanical things I get so lost in all the details of the mechanics of what I am trying to tell her that she literally zones out. Her face glazes over. And for all of this and more I have GRACE. Grace that keeps my beautiful bride Joyce from inflicting harm on me. For all of our screw-ups, shortcomings and totally random quirky ticks, we have grace too. God’s undeserved favor covers us. Ohhh, don’t you pretend like you’re not screwed up in some way. I know you’re screwed up too!
God has been offering you GRACE your entire life – have you accepted it? Or are you still trying to beat yourself into submission, trying to contort yourself into something you’re not, relentlessly seeking more, becoming a better you, becoming new and improved. How’s that working for you? You’re exhausted aren’t you? Why not just surrender to God’s grace and let him cover all that for you?
Every weekend I try to accomplish things around the house. Each weekday and I discover things I need to do. I write them down on a to-do list. It is a simple way for me to make sure I succeed, to make sure I complete what needs to be done. It is way for me to make sure I simply don't forget to do what should do. As I complete each task I draw a line through it. This works real well for me until life throws me a curve ball and I get nothing done that I planned to get done.
When life throws me a curve ball. There is an unfinished task on my list. The list then grows longer, because my to-do list never stops growing. Eventually I start ignoring the list all together because it has become overwhelming. What once helped me is now just an ugly reminder of how I screwed up again. The same thing happens outside of my weekend to-do list. When I don’t do what I know I need to do in my Christian life, I start avoiding it. If I avoid studying my Sunday School lesson one week, then it is easier the next time to avoid it again. If I fail to go to Wednesday evening bible study one week, then it is easier to skip it again next week. I think you understand where I am going here. When you are stumbling or failing in your faith does it get better? No – of course not. It gets worse. Facing our own screw ups is hard. Admitting we have failed is painful.
So what do we do? We receive and we offer GRACE!!! It is not God's plan for us to beat ourselves up. It is not God's plan for us to fail to be screwed up people. First you must know you can't earn God's Grace. God's grace is freely given to us. Good plans and good works are simply not enough and never will be. Here is God's 3 step plan of Grace. Step1. Receive God's Grace. Step 2. Offer Grace to those surrounding you to all the screwed up people in your life as freely as God offers grace to you. Step 3. MOVE ON!!!Luke 6:38 NIV Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,

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We are all in a battle every day. There are forces seeking to hold you back, to trip you up in life. There are voices that tell you you’re not worthy of more, not capable of more. This is as far as you will go. You’re tapped out. You’re done. There’s no point in even trying. These voices are from the pits of hell. KNOW THAT! The battle will continue all the days of your life, it’s not going away.

We are often tricked into thinking our fight is something less evil and we can handle it on our own. Let me assure you, it’s so much bigger than you think. The enemy is trying to weasel his way into the details of your life to distract, discourage, and detour you from God’s good plans. Where flowers grow, weeds will threaten to overtake. Weeds are all around you. The enemy is working in the weeds of your life that you’ve grown accustom to. The distractions, negative thoughts, toxic relationships, little bad habits, secrets from your past… Those are the devils weeds and they multiply to take over your soil and choke out every good thing you have growing in your life.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The fight is real! So, how do you fight? What is your weapon against this enemy? In Ephesians 6, the chapter goes on to tell us about the armor of God. You’re likely familiar with it. The breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, and the shield of faith. All of these are to protect you from the attacks. But one thing is given to you to fight back.

Ephesians 6:17 NIV Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The word of God is our one weapon to fight back. This is how we not only defend ourselves, but how we go on attack. If you have been showing up to the battle of life without the word of God it is like going to battle without a weapon. If you finish every day feeling beat down, it is because you went into battle with only your armor. You stood there taking a beating never fighting back because you forgot your weapon, the Sword of the Spirit. Your not supposed to withstand the beating, your supposed to fight back and defeat the enemy. The plan of defense and no offense is not a good plan. How will you ever win if all your doing is trying to protect the ball, but you never try to move it down the field and score a touchdown.

What good is it to have a weapon, the sword of the spirit, if you don't have it with you. Psalm 199:11 says I have hidden the word in my heart. What does this mean? To put it simply it means to memorize God's word. This way when you step into battle you have your weapon with you. In the days when the bible was written the sword was the ultimate weapon but today you can have a machine gun, an automatic weapon loaded with more than one bullet that will take down the enemy. I am talking about 10 scriptures you can have loaded in your clip and ready to fire off at the enemy in rapid succession. Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom. So here is how you can load the clip of your automatic weapon with 10 scriptural bullets without having to memorize them. Open a document on your phone and save your 10 verses so you can be ready when needed. Or if you not so tech savy write your verses on a recipe card or business card and carry them in your pocket. Here is an example of 10 verses you can have loaded and ready to fire.

1. God has good plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11) 2. He is working all things together for my good. (Romans 8:28) 3. With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) 4. I will be strong and courageous because the Lord is with me wherever I go. (Joshua 1:9) 5. In all my acknowledge Him, and he will make my paths straight. 

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