daily prayer

    Good morning! How are we faithing? Boy, there sure are alot of us struggling with the physical. Not maladies but sinning against ones self for pleasurable sensations. I speak to tons of people all the time about just this thing. There is a theme to these talks and it seems to be bodily pleasure that people indulge to the nth degree. Booze, porn, sex, drugs, whatever gives momentary pleasure to our physical beings. Physical pleasure isn't bad in itself but the over indulgence of it...that is where the problem begins. Recognising ones weakness before entering into that place where one can't stop, that is where wisdom comes. If you can't drink without falling down drunk, a bar isn't a place to go. If a friends house always has drugs available, don't go. If illicit sex is available somewhere, don't go. You get the point. These are sins against ones own body. Gee whiz, the Word says our bodies are the temple of God and we beat it up? A little logic and control goes a long way when these things crop up. If an addiction has resulted from any actions, help is needed and we shouldn't hesitate or be embarrassed to seek it. This are ageless temptations and anything you are in the middle of isn't the first or last time help has been needed.
Romans 12:1-2
 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
KJV

Ephesians 4:17-19
This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
NAS

Romans 6:12-14
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.
NAS

1 Corinthians 6:17-18
Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body , but the immoral man sins against his own body .
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All I want you to do is think. Ask yourself the real questions. Where am I in this issue? Do I indulge in anything to the point of no control or to excess or to the point that it has become an idol in my life? Throw embarrassment or pride out the window. Pray first, get help if you need it.
 
Remember Robert and Irene McKinney...remember Marilyn's friends...
 
Heavenly Father,
   We ask for courage and clarity to step back from any physical pleasure that is hurting us. We ask that you reveal our weaknesses and our attractions so we don't enter blindly into situations. Lord, convict our minds of sin. Help us recognise it and change our habits. Reveal your Word to us. Bless those mentioned today and those mentioned earlier. Protect our land, in Jesus name, amen

daily prayer

    Good morning! How are we faithing this snowy cold day? Are you aware of sin? Lately I have noticed sin all around. I see things and contemplate reasons why and where those peoples head is at. I wonder why they don't see the folly of their ways and if they realize that what they are doing has consequences on this earth. Then I see my sin and am keenly aware that sin is sin and mine is theirs and theirs is mine. Man o man, what others infractions are isn't important to me but what they are fixin to go through because of it just saddens my heart. That got me to realizing that if it saddens my heart, how must God feel. He loves us so and knows we are going to go through things as a result of our sin but you know what? He is always right there. He is there for us to lean on and to lay our burdens and sin at his feet. When we realize we have sinned, we must confess immediately to the Father and Jesus is our mediator. We must repent truly and not just with lip service. Man, this is a tough life and alot of times we do get caught up in stuff. We also put ourselves in that stuff. You can't "earn" God's love or "be good enough" so for your new years resolution this year, don't try to do or think you'll be better, seek God every day. Pray immediately when you screw up. Seek God in everything you do. Do everything like you are doing it for God. Seek God's ways and let the fallout be his concern.

Ephesians 2:1-10

 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
NAS

Remember Jakob Clark...remember Ben Handzel...remember Elizabeth Byrd...
 
Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your love and wisdom that is higher than anyone on earth. Guide us and help us recognise when we goof up. Lord we ask forgiveness for our failings and ask blessings on our lives. Protect our minds from attacks from the enemy. Open our eyes to your ways. Lord we lift those mentioned today. Touch them physically and comfort their minds and hearts, in Jesus name, amen

daily prayer

      Good morning! How are we faithing? I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Mine was full of love, relaxation and fellowship. I can remember times of depression years ago when I couldn't give as much to my kids as I wanted or thought they should have. I can remember being depressed because there was no disposable income for extras. I look back now with wisdom that there were many lessons learned. My Mom would say things when I was a child like,"You better eat, there are starving kids in China". I never quite got what she was trying to tell us then but now I realize that she was trying to tell us to be thankful and content with what we have because our lack is abundance to others. Now I do realize that the things that got me wound up in my youth seem so foolish and striving to improve is not wrong in of itself. Contentment doesn't mean not working to improve our situation but it does mean to savor the moment while we work for that improvement. Our attitude is a reflection of our contentment. If we always look for more with the thought that "when I get this or that I will achieve happiness" we will never be content. It is real easy to make "improvement" an idol. It is real easy to view your circumstances with contempt and that leads to all sorts of issues that manifest themselves in depression, ire, self focus, selfishness which could lead to covetness, lust for things and other attitudes that can sink any mind. The Word tells us many times to be content because of those things that can cause us to fall into sin that renders us ineffective witnesses for Jesus and lets face it, a pretty dismal existence. Think about this and where you are. Pray and ask for revelation and peace so you can improve without self loathing or dissatisfaction...


Philippians 4:10-11
Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
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1 Timothy 6:8
And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
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Hebrews 13:5-6
Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What shall man do to me?"
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Luke 3:14

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
KJV

Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your blessings. Help us to realize when we focus on the goal and replace you and your journey with us. Help us to be content while working to better ourselves. Help us to maintain our focus on you. Lord we ask for forgiveness when we turn our eyes to stuff instead of you. Lord we thank you for everything and pray for wisdom more than anything. Grant wisdom in all we do and say, in Jesus name, amen