I was reading in my Max Lucado devotional this morning, and I have to share. (Max Lucado ~ “Before Amen”) (Paraphrased)

The scene; a dark, cold, poorly lit room. A long table and around it sits Satan’s minions we call Imps. One of the imps is defending himself against a blown mission.

They all ask him what ploys he used? He reply’s, “I took his health away but he just forged on. I robbed him of his finances but he stood on faith. I tried to shake his purity but he was to moral. I stripped the man of everything I could think of, yet he just kept on rejoicing.”

For a few moments, silence and then a tall figure rises from the back of the room. Deathly pale face obscured by the hood of his dark robe. The entire council turned to face the fallen angel.

He raises his bony hand and makes his point. “You must take what matters most!” “And that is,” the subordinate asks

“You Must Take Away His Prayer!”

Satan hates it when we pray!

Philippians 2:10 NIV “that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Every knee, including Satans…

James 4:7 NLT “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

2 Timothy 4:18 ESV “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:8 NIV “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

So as scripture warns us, beware of his tricks and lies. You know the ones; your not worthy enough, look at who you are and all you’ve done; God can’t save or help you; you will always be this way; you aren’t strong enough, smart enough, rich enough, or good enough! All Lies…

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Remember this, you can never do bad enough for the Lord not to forgive you, restore you and love you.

Romans 8:28 NLT “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 about tomorrow..not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”

See why Satan hates prayer…Keep on praying…Jesus tells us to pray without ceasing. It’s our connection, direction and protection!

Be blessed today and be a blessing. Thank you for joining me. 🥰

I am in the middle of a project, and my mind is so sidetracked this morning. I pray for you a blessed day!

Good Morning My Pappa, My Father God,

I humbly bow before you this morning. I thank you, Holy Spirit, for your life within mine, and I would ask you today to make yourself known and felt within the hearts of those who know you. I would ask that you knock on the door of the hearts that don’t and they would hear and heed your gentle call.

I pray for peace in our words to lift each other rather than tear down and destroy. Peace in our minds and souls, to sit, relax, reflect and restore.

I pray for peace in our hearts as we make decisions that will affect our lives that we would remember to pray and ask for your wisdom and direction.

I pray for peace today. I lift Isreal to you, Lord, your country, your people, your City of David! I lift all the governments to you, Lord, as they sit in their chairs up high and make decisions that affect those who live below.

I pray for peace in our world, countries, states, counties, cities, towns, and neighborhoods.

I pray for peace in our lives, homes, workplaces, schools, and churches. May we remember that ALL LIVES MATTER…

In these troubled and turbulent times, may the peace that surpasses all understanding be with us, within us, and shared by us. I thank you, Lord Jesus; in your name, I pray for strength to uphold righteousness, and in all, I pray, in your name. Amen!

Lord renew my heart

Take the old away

It’s tired and weary

And full of decay.

It’s been broken

and cracked

Stitched up

and glued back.

It’s known abounding joy

And a sea of tears

Many ups and downs

Throughout the years.

Jesus, I welcome you into

My heart today

Dust out the cobwebs

Please, sit down and stay.

Lord renew my heart

Take the old away

And fill it full

Of your joy today.

Be blessed and thank you for joining me! 🥰

You’ve heard the adage, “don’t be a doubting Thomas!” “Oh, you are such a doubting Thomas!” Have you ever wondered where that comment derived?

Oxford Language defines: A person who is skeptical and refuses to believe something without proof.

Did you know there was in actuality a real doubting Thomas?

John 20:24-29 ESV “Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘we have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, “put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe’. Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God”

John 20:29 ESV “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ‘Those’ are you and I …

Thomas became famous for needing proof! He has a stigma attached to his name because he questioned, asked for proof, but what if he was behaving in a manner we all need to adopt.

In Matthew 24:5 NIV Jesus states, “For many will come in my name, claiming I am the Messiah, and will deceive many.”

Matthew 24:11 ESV “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”

Matthew 7:15 ESV “Beware of false prophets, who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

2 John 1:7 ESV “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.”

I truly believe the time has arrived where the false teachings have begun. The propaganda and agendas have started; watch TV commercials, for example. We need to be aware of our surroundings, what’s being taught in our schools and be paying attention to world events. The time to know Gods word and heed his warnings are now!

Maybe we should all follow Thomases example and make sure that what we are being told and taught is truly Jesus!

Be a blessing today and I pray for you a day of blessings! Thank you for joining me. 🥰

The first three parts of this mini-series reflected on how our Lord and Savior relates to any of us, as He walked a mile in our shoes. Today I wish to have us walk a mile in His!

Loving: 1John 4:7a NCV “Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God.” John 3:16 NCV “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 NCV “Do everything in love.”

Humility: Mark 10:45 NCV “In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.” Proverbs 11:2 ESV “When pride comes, then disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

Compassion: Matthew 9:36 NCV “When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them because they were hurting and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Romans 12:15 ESV “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

Forgiveness: Luke 23:34 NCV “Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.” Ephesians 4:32 ESV “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Gentleness: Matthew 5:9 NCV “They are blessed who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” Titus 3:2 ESV “To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

Patience: 1 Timothy 1:16a NCV “but I was given mercy so that in me, the worst of all sinners, Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit.” Romans 12:12 ESV “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

Self Control: Proverbs 25:28 NCV “Those who do not control themselves are like a city whose walls are broken down.” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but power and love and self-control.” Proverbs 16:32 ESV “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

Honesty: John 14:6 NCV “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” Proverbs 12:12 ESV “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” Colossians 3:9 ESV “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”

Obedient: Philippians 2:8 NCV “And when he was living as a man, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death-death on a cross.” Exodus 23:22 ESV “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”

Prayer: Luke 5:16 NCV “but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.” Philippians 4:6 ESV “Do not be anxious about anything, it in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV “Pray without ceasing,”

Many more scriptures on any of these attributes, search “scriptures on ***” I pray these verses will give you food for thought and new directions to travel. Be blessed by them, be a blessing and as always…Thank you for joining me. 🥰

Hebrews 4:15 NIV “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin.”

Jesus, born from a woman in the same manner in which you and I were. He was an infant, a baby, a toddler, a kid, a teenager and a man! He wore diapers, cried when he was hungry, and fell multiple times as he learned how to walk. He played outside with his friends, helped his step-father out in the shop and on job sites as Joseph was a carpenter. I wonder how many times Jesus hit his thumb as a he was learning how to hammer a nail?

He helped his mother when needed and was a dutiful son. He got hungry, headaches, and stomach aches. He studied his lessons, more then likely squabbled with his siblings and had his own set of chores. Jesus walked this earth just as you and I, facing the same dilemmas, the same emotions, both good and bad, the same trials and tribulations.

He was a good friend. He loved, laughed, and cried. He was loved, and hated, ridiculed and laughed at. He was talked about behind his back, judged, lied about, slandered, mocked and homeless. He was cursed at, spit upon, beaten, abused both verbally and physically. He was used for what he could do for people. He was let down, let go, left alone, and betrayed. Any of those mentioned above fill your shoes?

Yet, He was a trailblazer, a game-changer, the perfect name amongst men and history! He even changed time as we went from B.C. (Before Christ) to A.D. (After Death)!!! He is Lord of all, yet He is one of us.

My prayer is that you might take a moment and reflect on Jesus as he was when he walked our earth, making him possibly more natural for you, more relatable…maybe taking comfort in the fact your Lord in Heaven knows just what you are going through and feeling!!! I don’t know about you but that’s reassuring to me that he does understand my heart, tears, joy and prayers.

May you be blessed today and as always thank you for joining me. 🥰

Galatians 6:2 NCV “By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ.”

The door is wide open here! The world needs our help as it’s in trouble, but that’s a large undertaking so take your world and make it smaller. It only takes for us to walk with our eyes open to see where we can be of help.

The signs are everywhere! We see the dramatic end of a marathon where the leader of the pack gives up his glory to hold up a teammate as they cross the finish line together or the life changing miracle of a stranger donating a body part so another may continue to live.

But what about the single parent next door who could use a small break or a nap. The elderly person who appears a bit lost or confused. The straggly person on the corner holding a sign for help. Maybe it’s just an ear and a hug.

An encouraging word or a smile can change someone’s day! Your co-worker or friend has a deadline to meet, can you print papers, staple, proof read? Your minister who always looks like he’s got it together, guess what they could use your prayer, support and a surprise cup of coffee from time to time.

There are organizations such as children and women’s abuse shelters that are alway in need of clothing, essentials and toys! Start a collection drive as most of the time these women and children leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Do a clothing drive for local foster children, the food banks are always in need of food and the blood banks in need of blood!

Prayer, any and all of us need prayer, you might not know specifics, that’s ok God does, just lift whomever pops into your mind thanking God he knows there needs and will supply. Prayer for our country and government.

When we carry another’s burdens or at the very least share the load we are humbly coming alongside them with love asking if you can walk a mile in their shoes.

Thank you for joining me, may you be blessed today and be a blessing! 🥰

As with each beginning of each devotion, I say a simple prayer, “God, what do you wish to say today, and who do you want to say it to?

This morning, as I sat quietly waiting for the whispered thought, I hear, “walk a mile in my shoes” ok, but I could go three different directions with this statement.

One, relating to another, two, carrying the load for another, and three, we have a Lord who has done just that! This may be my first trilogy. ☺️

Relating to someone; can be in joy or pain. I was able to share happiness with my neighbor yesterday afternoon as I saw her and her husband in their driveway circling and admiring a beautiful new Lexus. I also know this friend has been waiting many, many years for this car. I instantly ran out the door and across the street, arms wide open with squeals of delight; we hug and do what girls do best…the pee-pee dance amongst giggles of excitement, all the while turning in circles. A sight to behold I’m sure!

I was relating with my friend! I, too, waited many years for my dream car! I, too, know the excitement and feeling of unbelief as you look at that dream that has come true and is now setting in your driveway or garage.

Now, the flip side has happened; I have a friend from childhood who just lost her mom! I am blessed as both my parents are still alive so I cannot relate to this friend. These are the times you don’t say anything, you just let them know you are there if they need. You may sit with them in silence, letting quiet affection do the relating.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Meaning, that whether temptation, joy, grief, anger, fear, dread, sorrow, happiness or in peace. We have a God who can and does relate to us!

John 15:15 ESV “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” Jesus, is the best friend you will EVER have…he loves us so much and makes sure we have all we need to make the best and right decisions, that God won’t even let him know his return date because He would tell us. ❤️ That’s a friend!

Maybe you have friends you can talk to, cry with, laugh and rejoice with and I hope and pray each of you do! I just hope you will remember and or come to realize, people are only human and have limitations, trust and become friends with the one who doesn’t.

Be blessed today, and thank you for joining me. ❤️

Dear Lord My Father I Heaven,

I sit before you this morning so in love with you!

I love you so much sometimes it’s hard to contain, I would love to be able to stand in a field of wildflowers or on the shore of one of your beautiful beaches and scream at the top of my lungs how much I love you Lord! Just scream with every fiber in my body!

So until that opportunity presents its self I will scream loudly in my spirit I LOVE YOU LORD AND I AM SO VERY THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE IN MY LIFE AND THAT AS MUCH AS I LOVE YOU, YOU LOVE ME MORE!

I will recognize you as I listen to the birds sing. Or as I silently gaze and appreciate the warmth of the sun. I will cherish this moment of peace and bask in its quiet. I will walk in confidence as I know that I walk with you and I will stand with assurance when trouble knocks.

I will do my best to honor you by loving those you have given me. I am proud of my heritage and the family you blessed me into. I will carry on the teachings and traditions as best I can and raise the new generations in you and your love.

Lord, you know its my favorite time of year, and how excited I am because today is the day my husband assists me in planting beautiful flowers on the headstones of my grandma and grandpa, my great grandmothers and my little papa’s daddy my great grandfather. Thank you Lord, for helping my husband understand that two of the most important people in my life rest at Shaarie Torah Cemetery off Nehalem, and by honoring their graves with beauty fills me with unexplainable joy.

I thank you Lord for this day, Sunday, Your day! I pray all who read today’s message feel your love and peace. I pray for smiles on faces and sunshine on places. I thank you for joy Lord, a day full of joy as we walk in your grace. For these things I pray in your name Lord Jesus with much thanksgiving. Amen 😌

I hope you have a blessed day and as always Thank you for joining me. 🥰