Rewired for the Journey

Sometimes I eat too much because the food tastes so good but then I pay for it later. I woke up about 3:20 AM and felt feverish, clammy, and upset to my stomach. It took most of the day to heal after several trips to the bathroom. What starts out as a healthy activity to give my body vitamins I then abused it by eating too much and making myself sick. If we are not careful we can make ourselves spiritually sick if we become gluttonous on things of this world and neglect our prayers, Bible reading and the fellowship of other saints. 1 Corinthians 6:12 New Living Translation (NLT) You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. Prayer: O'Lord, forgive us when we abuse ourselves unwisely and help us to work on balance in all things, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

I like snow, it is beautiful to watch big flakes coming down and everything is so quiet. The Holy Spirit is like snow in that it is peaceful, beautiful yet powerful and moves quietly in and out of our lives. A big snowfall can stop an entire city and a big conviction from the Holy Spirit can stop a life of sin and bring into a life of holiness. Titus 3:6 New Living Translation (NLT) 6  He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Prayer: O'Lord, let us receive the Holy Spirit in our lives and thank you for the beauty of snow, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Charles Wesly of the Methodist Movement said there are four "alls" people need to understand.  1. All need to be saved. 2. All can be saved. 3. All can know they are saved. 4. All can be saved to the uttermost. All that is required is for us to respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ. God's action will always bring you to Heaven but awaits our response first. Hebrews 7:25 New Living Translation (NLT) 25  Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Prayer: O'Lord, thank you for being our advocate with the Father, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

I enjoy Christmas songs very much especially when Bing Crosby sings them. I also enjoy certain contemporary Christian songs I hear on the radio or at church along with ancient Gregorian Chant. All this music helps remind me of different aspects of Jesus and to praise my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:16 Common English Bible (CEB) The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Prayer: O'Lord, thank You for music and songs that help us worship You, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

As I reflect more on what is the church I find that my old traditional view is changing. Church only happens for a couple hours on Sunday morning with all the bells and smells, clergy robes and no strobes, suits and ties for men and dresses with no excesses for the women. But I am realizing that there is and should be more church happening the other six days outside the walls of a church building. Time to be in community in the diners, coffee houses, and any other place to share Jesus, Bible studies, and helping each other live out life in Christian fellowship. Luke 14:23 Common English Bible (CEB) The master said to the servant, ‘Go to the highways and back alleys and urge people to come in so that my house will be filled. Prayer: O'Lord, help us reach people to bring them into a Christian community, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Every day we should be searching for our awareness of Jesus interacting in our lives. Sometimes it will be more obvious than other times. I have seen Jesus reach out to me through others acting under His guidance and then other times nature whispers to me of the majesty of Jesus. Jesus can speak to us in many ways but we have to be searching and aware of it. Look for Jesus today! John 5:39-40 The Message (MSG) 39-40  “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me ! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want. Prayer: O'Lord, help us to find You and when we do always keep our eyes on You, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

The day after Thanksgiving has been a tradition in our family to put up the Christmas Tree and write out the Christmas cards. It is such a joy to celebrate the season of Advent. I love all the smells and lights of Christmas and the outside displays to honor the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. All year round we should celebrate Jesus the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Savior of the world. Colossians 2:6-7 Common English Bible (CEB) 6  So live in Christ Jesus the Lord in the same way as you received him. 7  Be rooted and built up in him, be established in faith, and overflow with thanksgiving just as you were taught. Prayer: O'Lord, thank for traditions and Your birthday, in Jesus name, Amen.

Every year here in America we celebrate Thanksgiving and it is a time to remember to be thankful for the blessings in our lives. The Lord Jesus knows that it is very healing to have a thankful heart and to be always looking at the positive side of life and the blessings Jesus bestows on us. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Common English Bible (CEB) 18  Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Prayer: O'Lord, thank you for all our blessings and help us to always be thankful, in Jesus name, Amen.

What is in your heart today? Is fear or joy, confusion or clarity, what about peace in your heart. No matter what is in your heart right now take time this minute to praise the Lord and ask Him for peace and then thank Him for the many blessing you have been given. Colossians 3:15 Common English Bible (CEB) 15  The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people. Prayer: O'Lord, please give us peace and thank You for all our blessings, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Remember in the Wizard of Oz movie the cowardly lion who wanted courage and sang a song about what he would do if he had courage. What would you do today if you had the courage? What would you do today if you let Jesus give you the courage you need? Deuteronomy 31:6 Common English Bible (CEB) 6  Be strong! Be fearless! Don’t be afraid and don’t be scared by your enemies, because the  Lord  your God is the one who marches with you. He won’t let you down, and he won’t abandon you. Prayer: O'Lord, may we have the courage this day to do what You would have us do, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

This time of year is good for it helps us to remember to be thankful. We can always look around and find someone who has it much worse. May we trust in Jesus Christ who has the whole world in His hands and He is in control. 1 Chronicles 16:34 New King James Version (NKJV) 34  Oh, give thanks to the  Lord , for  He is  good! For His mercy  endures  forever. Prayer: O'Lord, may I be a thankful person in all circumstances in life, in Jesus name, Amen.

Yesterday my computer did an update to its program to keep my PC safe and improved. Once a month this happens and I thought when Jesus comes into a persons life then Jesus downloads His program into us. Now when we start to study the Holy Bible and pray and go to church and hear sermons and read other uplifting Christian books and articles then we are getting updates to our Jesus program so we keep getting better! Ephesians 4:12-13 Common English Bible (CEB) 12  His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ   13  until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ. Prayer: O'Lord, continue to upgrade us into Your image, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Jesus calls all of us to go out and be a blessing to this world and its people. What are you doing to fulfill that command?  You can do many things using the power and authority that is in the name of Jesus Christ.  Luke 9:1-6 Common English Bible (CEB) Jesus called the Twelve together and he gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal sicknesses.  2  He sent them out to proclaim God’s kingdom and to heal the sick.   3  He told them,  “Take nothing for the journey—no walking stick, no bag, no bread, no money, not even an extra shirt.   4    Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place.   5    Wherever they don’t welcome you, as you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet as a witness against them.”   6  They departed and went through the villages proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Prayer: O'Lord, may we use Your name wisely and when needed, in Jesus name, Amen.

Did you get excited and thought I have to see what is happening? That was what was happening those three years when Jesus walked the earth as fully human and fully divine. Town to town the hot news was "Jesus is coming!" What is exciting is that Jesus is coming again as the King of kings and Lord and lords and I cannot wait to see that day and all its glory! Acts 1:9-11 Common English Bible (CEB) 9  After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight.   10  While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them.   11  They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.” Prayer: O'Lord, help us to be ready for Your return, in Jesus name, Amen.

In this mortal life, there is much sorrow and weeping that can either crush us or make us stronger. I found tough times made me wiser as I looked back and made me stronger. I made a conscious decision I was not going to stay down and cry but I would arise from the dust and wipe off my tears and become a conqueror and win the victory. Now because of that decision at one of the lowest points of my life I can say that joy does come in the morning!   Psalm 30:5 New King James Version (NKJV) 5  For His anger  is but for  a moment, His favor  is for  life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy  comes  in the morning. Prayer: O'Lord, we call out to You to fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit and help us arise from the dust of defeat, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Life is constant change and there are days that are more stressful than others. The strain of living and working can be unbearable at times but if your faith is in Jesus Christ He will see you through the storms of life. Prayer time can give you back some balance and peace in your life. Quiet time reading the Holy Bible can also bring the Holy Spirit of comfort to you. May the peace of the Lord be with you today. Psalm 119:143 Common English Bible (CEB) 143  Stress and strain have caught up with me,      but your commandments are my joy! Prayer: O'Lord, give us a peaceful spirit this day, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

So many people think the whole world revolves around them and that they are so important. What they do not realize is how fleeting life is and that even the most famous people eventually are forgotten by most of the world, i.e. without an internet search who was the 13th President of the United States?  We all decay no matter how hard we try to stay young and healthy eventually we decay. Put your faith, time, and energy into serving Jesus who will remember you for eternity! Job 13:28 New King James Version (NKJV) 28  “ Man  decays like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten. Prayer: O'Lord, may I have a healthy self-esteem without being narcissistic, in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

People have died for a cause they believe in and military people have died keeping a country they love safe. But no one has ever died for me or you personally except Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 3:18 New King James Version (NKJV) 18  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, Prayer: O'Lord, thank You for dying for us to forgive our sins, in Jesus name, Amen.

Nowadays there are so many versions of the Holy Bible. There are some versions better than others and you can drive yourself crazy looking at all the different types and specialty Bibles. But in the end, the best version is the one you enjoy reading and will make you want to read the Holy Bible. Get into the Word so the Word will get into you! 2 Timothy 3:14-15 Common English Bible (CEB) 14  But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you.   15  Since childhood, you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. Prayer: O'Lord, thank You for the Holy Bible and being able to read it, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

When scripture talks about the Holy Ghost descending upon Jesus like a dove when John baptized Him we see pictures of a bird coming down on Jesus. But the Holy Ghost is in the shape of human form and the way He "moved" was like that of a bird or dove. I imagine The Holy Ghost floating down slowly and gently down upon Jesus.  John 1:32-33 Common English Bible (CEB) 32  John testified, “I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove, and it rested on him.   33  Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ Prayer: O'Lord, may the Holy Spirit rest on us, in Jesus name, Amen.

In today's verses, John is talking about not loving the bad things in this world, not the world itself or the beauty in this world. God created the world and when He was done looked upon the world and said it was good. But John is only focusing on the sin in this fallen world not what is good. 1 John 2:15-16 Common English Bible (CEB) 15  Don’t love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. 16  Everything that is in the world—the craving for whatever the body feels, the craving for whatever the eyes see and the arrogant pride in one’s possessions—is not of the Father but is of the world. Prayer: O'Lord, let us not love sin but holiness, in Jesus name, Amen.

Here in Indiana in the Fall the leaves start falling off the trees and bushes. It reveals a stark, cold, and gloomy world. We humans in our fallen state here on earth are stark, cold, and gloomy but as Spring comes to bring back life and color so does Jesus Christ when we respond to His love and receive salvation from Him then we are filled with life and color also. 2 Peter 3:9 Common English Bible (CEB) 9  The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives. Prayer: O'Lord, fill us with life, fill us with color, in Jesus name, Amen.

We always hear of God leading me to do this or that but not too often do we hear that God called us off or that the Holy Ghost told me to be silent. But there are times and there are places that God does call us to be quiet, there are times that Jesus will tell us that we should not do such and such even if it seems to our human minds it would be the Christian thing to do or say. Work to be in tune with the Holy Ghost so you will recognize the voice of Jesus. Acts 16:6-7 Common English Bible (CEB) 6  Paul and his companions traveled throughout the regions of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit kept them from speaking the word in the province of Asia.  7  When they approached the province of Mysia, they tried to enter the province of Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them. Prayer: O'Lord, help us to discern Your will in our lives, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

You never know what you might say or do that will plant a seed of hope or conviction or even curiosity about Jesus Christ. So do not feel discouraged if feel or think nobody is paying attention to you and your Christian witness, for trust me there are eyes and ears on you so continue to plant those seeds of God.  1 Corinthians 3:6-8 Common English Bible (CEB) 6  I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow. 7  Because of this, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but the only one who is anything is God who makes it grow.   8  The one who plants and the one who waters work together, but each one will receive their own reward for their own labor. Prayer: O'Lord, help me continue to witness of You and what You have done in my life, in Jesus name, Amen.

I encourage you to follow the ways of Jesus and keep faith in Him no matter what may happen in life. Stay attentive to Him in your youth, middle age, and old age for if you do your life will be much sweeter. This does not mean everything will be calm waters but when the storms come you will get through them much better with Jesus in your life. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Common English Bible (CEB) 13  So this is the end of the matter; all has been heard. Worship God and keep God’s commandments because this is what everyone must do.   14  God will definitely bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or bad. Prayer: O'Heavenly Father, please always be a part of our life, in the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Another incident of a person walking into a church on a Sunday morning and shooting everyone around them makes one realize that could happen anywhere at anytime. People and anger issues are becoming a bigger problem all the time. In the Holy Bible, it talks about nearing the end of humanity that the hearts of men will grow cold. I see this in the news and on social media all the time now. People need Jesus Christ to warm their hearts and soften their reactions to frustration. Issues usually are complex in what creates a problem but in the simplest terms, people just need Jesus in their lives. Psalm 22:19 Common English Bible (CEB) 19  But you,  Lord ! Don’t be far away!      You are my strength!      Come quick and help me! Prayer: O'Lord, help us to reach people before they become violent, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

There is a period during Fall in Indiana where there is rain, rain, and more rain. So it is cloudy a lot and no sunshine. I can handle a couple days of gloom but after that, I need the sunshine to energize me. Yesterday the sun came out and it was wonderful to feel the warmth and the light all around were beautiful. When your life is gloomy and you let Jesus Christ into your life as Savior then the clouds of life leave and the sunshine appears and Jesus turns your life into something glorious! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Common English Bible (CEB) 17  So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! Prayer: O'Lord, thank you for coming into our lives and making it fresh and new and glorious, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

What is exciting is to realize there will be no homelessness in Heaven. Jesus is working on a place for you and me that will probably fit our spiritual personalities. It is a comfort to know for those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior there will be a roof over your head and a warm soft bed to sleep in (if we sleep in Heaven) and food that never runs out. Sounds like Heaven to me!  John 14:1-3 Common English Bible (CEB) “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me.   2  My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you?   3  When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. Prayer: O'Lord, thank You for caring about us and making a room for us in Heaven, in Jesus name, Amen.

Most people get excited about the royal family of England. But what most people do not get excited about is the royal family of the Christian faith. A believer in Jesus Christ as Savior of the world becomes royal as a child of God. You receive a royal priesthood and you become a chosen people. I encourage you to act as such for you now have royal blood coursing through your veins! 1 Peter 2:9 Common English Bible (CEB) 9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. Prayer: O'Lord, may we honor You with how we live and speak of You, in Jesus name, Amen.

I am down to two months left to finish my devotional book to my children. I leave this book as a legacy of my love for Jesus and for them. I hope to have instilled in them a love for Jesus also. So it is so very important to pass on the faith of Jesus to each generation. Now it will be my children's turn to pass on the love of Jesus to their children and my grandchildren. Share the grace of Jesus today. Psalm 78:5-6 Common English Bible (CEB) 5  He established a law for Jacob      and set up Instruction for Israel,          ordering our ancestors          to teach them to their children. 6  This is so that the next generation      and children not yet born will know these things,          and so they can rise up and tell their children Prayer: O'Lord, may we continue to share Your grace and love with others and the next generation, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.