Daily Devotional – 2/9/12 “Laugh Sometime!”

I am often reminded that today could very well be my last day, this could be my last week, month or year on this earth so shouldn’t I enjoy it? If I spend all of my time frowned up, talking negative and acting all anti-social, I might just miss on out enjoying this thing called life. I cherish the time that I have with my husband, kids, momma, sisters and the rest of my family. Why, because, we aren’t promised the next minute of our lives. It can be any one of us, gone, at any moment. So laugh more. Take the time to enjoy life, stop rushing and stop to smell the roses because if you are rushing all the time, you may just miss the blessing God is trying to send your way.

There was a woman who would visit this pet store 2-3 times per week. Each time she visited and got ready to leave, a parrot at the front of the store would always say, “Hey Lady!” She would say, “Yes?” He’d reply, “You shoal is ugly” and then laugh. After numerous times of this happening, she finally had enough. She went to the owner and said, “You know I visit your store a lot and I am one of your best customers but every time I come in, that bird, that Parrot offends me so either you do something or I won’t be back!” The owner went to this parrot and said, “Look, she is one of my best customers and I cannot lose her business, from now on stop calling her ugly.” The parrot nodded in agreement. The next time the lady walks in the store, she goes to get the things she needs, pays for them and was just about to leave when the parrot yelled, “Hey Lady!” The lady rolled her eyes and replied with an attitude, “What do you want now?” He said, “You know!” Now that’s funny! The parrot was told to stop calling her ugly but he wasn’t told not to remind her that she was. (HAHA) You do know that laughter is good for the soul and its Thursday, one day closer to the weekend! You’ve been wound up all week long and just because it’s 10:00AM, it doesn’t mean you can’t laugh. Just because you’re a Christian, you are not sinning if you have a little fun. Sometimes, when you’re going through a lot you have to just let go! For some it may be an hour with a book and glass of wine and for others an entire weekend, but whatever you choose do it and do it well. Ecclesiastes 9:7 states, “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.” Now this doesn’t mean run out and get so drunk that you forget where you are because Ephesians 5:18 states, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” See, even though it is acceptable for a Christian to drink, the sin is in getting drunk. Plus, being drunk doesn’t look good on a man or woman, so please don’t do it. Grab your spouse or a few friends and go dancing, go to see a movie or have a night in with food and drinks. Just laugh! Rent a few great comedy movies and laugh!

See, God made this life for you. He didn’t say it would always be good but he did say to enjoy it while you have time. If you don’t believe me, study the word for yourself. Ecclesiastes 11:8, states, “However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.” So, on your good days enjoy life and even on the bad days, enjoy life. You only have one to live. Ecclesiastes 8:15 says, “So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.” Don’t live your life with regrets because the next minute is not promised. If there is something you want to do, do it! If there is a restaurant you want to try, try it! If there is a dress/suit you want, buy it! I know that it seems like every time you get paid you’re still in the hole but I can guarantee you the bills you have now, will still be there when you leave here. Stop letting life pass you by. Stop allowing that job to kill you. Use some of that vacation time you got saved because you’re be replaced at the job before the dust settles on your grave. Enjoy the life that you’ve been blessed with, the day you’ve been blessed to see and the family & friends that are blessed to have. Live! Laugh! Love! A smile is a simple gesture that can turn a person’s bad day into a good one. See, a Christian’s life is one that should be carried as a Christian. If a sinner, a doubter or a backslider sees you each day with a frown on your face, how can you convince them that serving God is their best choice? Yes, in your Christian walk you will face obstacles, storms, situations and circumstances but the bibles says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10),” and when you have the Lord, you have joy and this joy can take you through anything you face while walking on top of the dirt. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength,” and Psalm 32:11 says, “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”

Stop making this mean world even harder on yourself by letting life pass you by! Laugh more! Enjoy your folks and family more! Decide, today, that you will stop being so uptight. You only have one life to live, so live it to the fullest. No one knows when their time here will be up, so live everyday like it’s your last!

Daily Devotional – 2/8/12 “Pray about it!”

When I walk pass you and smile, is it too much to ask for a simple smile back or even an acknowledgement? Just because you have an attitude, you don’t have to take it out on everyone around you. Your day goes bad because you allow it. People make you mad because you allow it. Your bills are past due because you allow it. It is not because God hasn’t given you the necessary requirements to make your life better. He woke you up, that’s a blessing! He allowed your mind to be right, that’s a blessing. He gave you the ability to have a talent to get the job you got, that’s a blessing! But instead of thanking God for these things, we complain. Please know, what you complain about someone else is praying about. While you are taking your husband, who is doing all he can to provide, for granted, someone is weeping over the casket of their husband. While you constantly take momma and daddy for granted, someone is at the hospital saying goodbye to theirs. While you are constantly complaining about your son or daughter who is doing all they can, someone is looking for theirs in the dark alleys because they are strung out on drugs. While you’re complaining about the job that’s funding your lifestyle, someone has been in line at the unemployment office since 5:30AM. I won’t tell you that all things will be ok but the bible states in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” According to God’s purpose! Not yours, not mine and not your family so be careful of the purpose you’re following because it might just be leading you to Hell!

I know it may seem like even though you study your bible, it seems like you can’t hear God’s voice. You go to church every Sunday but it seems like the more right you do the more wrong shows up. You go to bible study & prayer meeting, but it seems like your prayers are not being heard. You’re doing the best you can but every time you turn your crying is outweighing your laughter, heartache is overshadowing your happiness, pity is replacing your praising & strife is taking over where shouting once reigned. It seems like every time you reach for Heaven Hell is on your back pulling you back! So what do you? Do you leave God’s word because the world seems better? Do you backslide because the temptations you’re facing are too hard to ignore? I’m here to tell you to hold on! 1 Peter 5:7 says “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Even though your rope may be breaking, find strength to reach beyond that break! Put your feet on the side of the cliff that you’re hanging over and push yourself up. Even though you may be tired and sweat is dripping from your brow, hold on! God says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” So, if you’re at a point where you can’t hold on, let go with the faith that you’ll land safely where God has prepared for you. As I stated above, God doesn’t have plans to harm you because he needs you to do his will but you have to have faith big enough to realize this. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Just because you can’t see and touch God, it doesn’t mean he’s not there because faith will show you.

God needs you wholeheartedly to do his will. Matthew 7:21 says “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” If you’re at a point where you can’t do God’s will because of worldly things, then you need to make some changes. If your job is stressing you out, move! If your bills outweigh your money, downsize! If your kids aren’t acting right, parent them! If folk are talking about you, so what! They talked about Jesus but he still endured & died in order for us to be free. If there’s anything that holds you down, release it! If you’re in an abusive relationship, get out! Don’t think that God will maintain the mess you’re in. It’s time now for you to get YOU right. There isn’t anybody that can do you like Jesus and can’t anyone answer to Jesus for you but you. God does hear and answer prayers but he has to also know your voice. Talk to him consistently! Believe in what you’re asking for and know that it’s already done. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people who are called by MY name should humble themselves, pray & seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from Heaven, will forgive their sins and heal their land.” But you have to talk to him. You don’t have to be down on your knees, in a secret closet or even in church to pray. God wants you to pray to him however and wherever you are. He said in Luke 9:26, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Don’t be scared to praise God when you want because John 15:7 says, “But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!” Isn’t that worth a prayer every once in a while? I’ve found that praying at all times will cover you during the times that you can’t. Pray about it!

Daily Devotional – 2/7/12 “Say Amen!”

When I prayed for a topic this morning, the word Amen kept sticking out to me. So, in my research this morning I thought about the word Amen and what it really means. According to Wikipedia it means, “So be it,” or in other words, I am in agreement. In the Christian church it is usually found at the end of a prayer which means you are in agreement with the prayer that was just spoken. Then I remembered the song, “Let the church say amen,” so I pulled it up to listened to the lyrics. One part says God has spoken so let the church say amen. Then I thought about life and all the things we ask God for and instead of saying “so be it” or Amen in agreement, we question the reason why certain things happen. You asked God to bind your enemies then get mad when so-called friends aren’t around anymore. You asked God for an increase in money then complain when overtime is offered at your job. You asked for a car because you’re tired of asking for a ride and/or walking then you complain about the gas prices. You asked for a mate then complain because they call too much. You ask God for healing then complain about the medicine the doctor prescribes. You asked God for guidance and then second guess the path that he sets before you. You ask God for a sign and then ignore it. You ask God to open doors for you and then you’re too scared to walk through them. You ask God to move your mountain or obstacle that’s in your way and you’re still turning back to look at it. You asked God for help and then you still worry! You asked God to give momma/daddy rest and then you question him when he sends the death Angel. Where is the Faith? If God has done what you’ve asked him too, shouldn’t you say amen? Humph, even if he hasn’t done what you thought he should, you should still say amen.

See, sometimes God blocks us from doing certain things, not because we are not worthy of it but because we aren’t ready for it. Let me explain. You’ve been praying for a new job with better hours and pay and every time you put in an application, the answer always seems to be no. Then you question God as to why but if you take a good look at your current job you’ll find that you haven’t even given it what it requires or deserves. You always run a little late, your work could be better but because you aren’t happy, you don’t give 100%, you call in and take off just because you want too and you can’t even manage the money that you’re currently making so how can you possibly manage more. If you put the same amount of effort into the job you have now, that it truly deserves, then God will know that you’re capable of handling more responsibilities. It’s like me allowing my teenager to get a part time job after school when she can barely handle the classes in school. Why would I give her more responsibilities when she’s having trouble with the ones she already has. It’s the same way with God. Luke 16:10 says, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” See, just because you have the qualifications and you think you can handle the responsibilities of the new job, God knows that you’re not ready for it so why would he put you in a place to fail?

If you have God in your heart then you should know that he won’t take anything from your grasp without a purpose, so you should say amen when a door closes. Just because you didn’t get approved for the car loan you applied for, say amen because it doesn’t mean you’re not deserving of it, God is simply saying wait! Just because you found out you got cancer in your body, say amen because it doesn’t mean God is ready for you to give up, he’s simply taking you through the storm to toughen you up to be able to handle other things that may come in your life. See, when man says no God is saying not right now. Man may say you can’t but God is saying it’s not your time. Man may say you won’t but God is saying stand still and watch me work. Sometimes old stuff has to be torn down in order to receive the new so God sends a storm that rages like a tornado because even after a tornado has demolished your home, the foundation still stands and if you’re foundation is built by God, it’ll still stand after your storm. So when your storm comes, as it will, it’s simply to wash off all the old stuff in order to restore your newness, so say amen. After folks have lied on you, talked about you, drug your name through the dirt, pushed you into a small dusty grave, stabbed you in the front & the back and counted you out; God sends the rain for you to shower in, so say amen. See, he washes away the dirt that has been thrown on you when folk say you won’t ever be anything worthy of your name, so say amen. He washes away the blood from all the cuts and scrapes you got when your best friend stabbed you in your back because she was jealous of your blessings, so say amen. He washes away the mud from under your nails from climbing out of the ditch that your family pushed you in because they didn’t think you deserved the elevation God has placed on your life, so say amen. With God, it doesn’t matter about the number of times you see trials and tribulations as long as you come out of them renewed. All you have to do is say to God what it reads in Psalm 71:20, “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.” It doesn’t matter the number of times you get knocked down because God is only concerned about you standing back up. If you decided to give up every time you made a mistake, you probably wouldn’t be where you are. Say amen for the times you’ve fallen because they make you grateful for the times you’re up. Say amen for the enemies who come into your life because they should make you stronger. So amen for the mistakes and errors that you’ve made because they should make you wiser. Say amen for the times momma says no because it should make you more appreciative of the times she says yes.

It’s not always about you getting your way because your way might be the wrong way. Be grateful and say amen for the No you sometimes hear because it makes you appreciate the Yes. See, while you are trying to figure it out, God has already worked it out. While folks are counting your blessings, they are adding theirs to your bucket. While folks are counting you out, God is simply adding pegs to your footstool and lifting you higher! So go on and tell them to talk about you, lie on you, scandalize your name, try to ruin your relationship, and keep on digging that ditch for you because when it’s all over with God has you covered so all is surely well! So say amen because when I no longer look at what I used to be or how I use to look, I see how I was meant to be. I say amen because I am who God has made me, so I will pray every day “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word,” Psalm 119:37. I’ll say amen because what God has for me, it is for me. I’ll say amen because I stand in total agreement with what and who God has ordained for my life. So, when fake, phony folks walk out, I’ll shout amen! When the car won’t start, I’ll sing amen because I know that God has something better for me. When the job hands me a pink slip, I’ll say amen because there’s something better for me that was being blocked by the old. I’ll say amen because I’m in total agreement with what God says, so “So be it!”

Daily Devotional – 2/6/12 “Can’t you see that I’m a Christian?”

We often say to God: I am a Christian, can’t you see? I go to church on Sunday even though I get there late, sometimes hung-over with a headache. But, at least I’m there for goodness sake! I know I may not wave my hands or give you praise like I could, but at least I’m there giving you all that I think I should. Isn’t that good enough? I might gossip a lot and talk about folk I say are my friends, but that’s alright; you said you’d forgive me, isn’t that right? I sometimes hate on people’s blessing because I feel like I should also be getting blessed, but that’s alright, because I’ll just take a little from them and leave them a little stressed. But, I’ll have time to ask for forgiveness because I’m young and in pretty good shape, so right now I’ll just continue on and change before it gets too late. I sometime take my blessings for granted and disrespect my mother. I even misuse people like; my friends, family, sisters and my brothers. I know that I’m supposed to be my brother’s keeper to be there when they need me and do some good deeds, but I’ll spread their business faster than a gardener planting seeds. I’m supposed to pick up those that fall, pray for those that are lost; but usually I’m only on “Christian duty” when it is convenient for me and paying a cost. Doesn’t that still make me a Christian, isn’t that ok? Won’t you forgive me for it, isn’t that what the good book say? I know I’m supposed to pay tithes from the job that you’ve blessed me with, but I saw this pair of shoes that I just had to have so and I had to get them quick. (I’ll pay you later, k? God you know my heart!) I saw this man begging and even though I had the extra money, I decided not to give because he should get a job too, doesn’t he know I have a life to live? Humph, you didn’t say be a fool! But I am a Christian, can’t you see that, I got time to get myself right. So just wait God, give me a little more time to work on my Christian light.

God answered: Who are you to choose when it’s ok to do my will? When I am the one that’ll see you through any situation, if you would just keep still! Who are you to choose what Sunday to give me praise; when I was the one that lifted you, your bowed down head I raised? Who are you to be a “fair weather” Christian, a some-timer for me; when I am the one that has kept you, all your problems I solved and I’m just who I said I’ll be? Yea, I’ll forgive you but you have to ask with your own mouth and believe it in your heart, but don’t you think today might be a good day to start? Will you get the opportunity to change before your time on this earth ends, will you be able to apologize to your family, say I love you to your friends? Will you get the chance to show me that you’re walking on the path I chose? I guess you’d better start today to be the Christian I’ve ordained you to be, before the blood in your veins get cold! I’m not trying to scare you, I’m just telling you like it is because you can’t pay the cost at the gate by shedding a few tears. When it’s judgment day, you won’t have a chance to press a button to rewind because no matter how long you’ve lived, you’ve had ample time. To get yourself together and to do my will, but you take it as a joke and choose all the cheap thrills. When you should be reading the bible, keeping my commandments and repenting of your sins but I’m always here for you and I’m standing at your door, just waiting to be invited in. Please don’t get me wrong because Christians can have fun too, just don’t get too “crunk” because even though you can have wine, the sin is getting drunk. If you studied my word more, you’d know these types of things but it looks like you’ve got it all figured out, from what I’ve seen. If you don’t need my help and think you can handle things on your own, then fine, you’ll reap what you sow! But don’t get mad when I don’t come faster when your voice I don’t know. You may want to take a step back to get your life in order before the time gets too late, because death will surely come even though you don’t know the date. I’ve prepared a place for you to come but you have to make the choice, I just pray you have enough time to hear and understand my voice.

Our response: Oh God, why have I wasted so much time trying to live in this world? Trying to keep up with this bad boy or fast tail girl? I will make a change because I want my name on your roll and I want to be in your number, so I can’t allow folks to knock me off my Christian stroll and cause me to fumble. I will become the person that you’ve ordained me to be and I will not be ashamed to tell the world, show the world that I am a Christian, you will see!

Daily Devotional – 2/3/12 “A prayer for the youth!”

I woke up this morning at exactly 4:13AM with my granddaddy on my mind. I didn’t know why God woke me up but I prayed for him. See, while I’m trying to figure out why God still has him here after countless folks have gone on after him, God is simply telling me, “it’s in my hands.” While I’m trying to figure out what work he still has for him, God is simply saying, “It’s in my hands.” I look at granddaddy and I know that it’s nothing but God because while he’s laying on his sick bed, he should be much sicker that he is, but he’s not. He should have bed sores on his body from laying in the same spot every day but he doesn’t. According to the doctors, he should have been dead, but he’s here. Our family is so blessed and yet we take it for granted every day. We got young boys & men that hang in the streets, yet they are protected when mothers and fathers have buried more than one of their children. We got young girls & women who want to live the fast and glamorous life and yet they are still protected when others are strung out on drugs, prostituting themselves or dead.

This morning I am saying a prayer for MY FAMILY and for all families because God knows we need it! With the children facing more peer pressure daily to fit in, facing bullying because other folks want to portray being hard and with the obstacles they have to overcome at younger ages now, we need prayer. It amazes me the lengths the young women will go through to please a boy who has no control over their life. They’d rather degrade themselves simply because they want the notoriety or the distinction of saying they are in a relationship with him but as soon as it’s over or she stops “performing” for him, he tells all his boys about the things she has done. Then the boys, who should be young men but they aren’t, how they can walk around with their pants sagging to the ground, filth coming from their lips, tattoos everywhere (even though they are underage) and no respect for anyone. I have to sometime ask myself, who are these children? It breaks my heart to hear about the senseless killings of teenagers by the hands of other teenagers. I sometimes wish things could go back to the days when there was no cellphones, Facebook, Skype and etc. See, then folks got along because no one was concerned about the clothes you wore because everybody had the same, which was a little bit of nothing but then folks took that little bit and turned it into a lot. Folks didn’t worry about this or that because they respected adults and then if you disrespected an adult, they could whoop your butt and then send you home. However, now we have to worry about if a 13 year old has a gun in his pants or it’s no longer shocking when a 14 year old girl is pregnant. What is this world coming too? Is it just me who’s wondering these things? What is wrong with our young ladies? Don’t they know they are worthy of so much more? What is wrong with our young men? Don’t they know they are supposed to be the head of their households? What is going on? Please pray with me on today. It is my prayer that this prayer is forwarded to your friends and family so that we may all join in together to save our children. If we don’t grab them now, the streets will.

Our Father whose in Heaven, blessed is your name, your kingdom come and your will shall be done on Earth as surely as it is in Heaven. God, thank you for this day and for our daily bread and forgive us of our sins, those we commit knowingly and unknowingly. God, I come to you as your humble servant thanking you for all that you’ve done for me & my family. I thank you for giving me sight this morning when I opened my eyes, for strength this morning when I moved my arms and legs, my right mind to speak with when I opened my mouth, an appetite when I went into the kitchen and the rest I received on last night. God, I thank you for my family and friends who you protect on a daily basis even when we are too stubborn to ask for it. Now God, I’m asking you on this morning for a special blessing and deliverance over our youth. God, they are going astray at a fast pace and we, as parents and family members, no longer know what to do. Lord, we pray for them daily but it seems like this generation is getting worse and worse and we now know that can’t nobody turn it around like you can. God, I ask that you go into the schools and bind the enemies of peer pressure, gangs, drugs, alcohol, sex, attitudes and bullying. Lord, we don’t know all that children face on a daily basis but I know you do because you are everywhere. Lord, touch the mouths of those children who want to talk smart, touch the eyes and necks of those who find themselves wanting to roll them when an adult is talking. Lord, touch the minds of those who need to learn but are having trouble and scared to ask for help. Lord, guide the one that is wondering down the wrong path because they are following the wrong crowd. God, dry the tears of the child who is crying because of the mean things the other kids are saying. Protect that young girl who is pregnant and hasn’t told anyone and the boy who has an STD and too ashamed to tell his mother so that she can get him the help he needs. Cover and protect the young man or woman who may be a victim of domestic violence or molestation. God, I am placing the youth of this world in your hands today. Guide the ones who have turned to gangs because they don’t feel loved at home and the ones who don’t have a home to go too. God send them a safe place and a kind word on today. God stop by, heal and protect the children with cancer and diseases that hurt their bodies each day. Continue to give them the strength to endure. Remove hate from the hearts of those that have it, comfort those who may be dealing with the loss of someone or something & provide for those that maybe without. Lord God, do it because I know that you can. God I’m asking for a special blessing for the young folks today because they are growing up too fast and haven’t recognized yet that life in the world has consequences. Open their eyes to see the error of their ways and give them the strength to come running home to you to ask for forgiveness of their sins. God continue to bind the grown folks together so that one may not fall without having somebody on all sides to catch them. God, I know that you’re able to do it and I am standing steadfast on your word and I will not waver from it. Send your anointing on today because we can surely use it. Thank you God for always hearing my prayers and I humbly submit this to you on behalf of all the parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents who are in need of your touch, today. We need you Lord God and I stand in the gap as a soldier in your army. You’ve never failed me yet and I believe in faith on the changing of our children. Amen.