Ask Yourself This...

The enemy is evil;

When is his upheaval?

Why do so many want to cause harm?

It's like something is twisting their arm.

Well, something certainly is;

To see if it's happening to you, take this quiz.

Are you being mean?

Have you done things you're glad others haven't seen?

Did you stop being clean?

Do you secretly laugh when others fail?

Have you cried enough to fill a pail?

Do you fear what will come your way today?

Have you forgotten to pray?

Does your day and night glow from a rectangular device?

Does it feel like nothing will ever suffice?

Think now about the voids you're trying to fill;

It's probably like a constant climb uphill.

The evil one will make your life either too hard or too easy;

Life with God is light and breezy.

Walking with God won't come without trouble;

But The One that has your back will come with help on the double.

All you need to do is call His name;

Then your life will never be the same.

Let Him take your sorrows and shames;

Now you can push down all the devil's silly games!

AMEN

Who speaks through you?

I've heard before when two or more are gathered in prayer the Lord is present. As I thought about that it reminded me of yet another idea I had recently; when we are doing or saying things that are good and beneficial, we allow God to speak and act through us. How powerful is that? I believe we ourselves can be those angels walking the earth without even realizing it ourselves. Think about a time you have done a kindness for a stranger they weren't even aware of, but it helped their day go more smoothly. Maybe it was putting back a few shopping carts in the way of a busy parking lot before you left on a hot day. The next stranger that came would be able to park where you cleaned it up, and save some frustration and time in the heat. That may have been just what that person needed that day for whatever reason. In that act I feel we let the Holy Spirit (God, Jesus, or an angel) move our bodies as soon as we act on an unselfish thought placed in our head by God. I guarantee that the evil one is not having us do selfless acts of kindness. So, to return to my initial thought, when we pray or speak of God with another person that allows those same celestial beings to become present in a very tangible sense. Our voice becomes the medium for the Lord to be heard audibly to another person especially in reading the Bible. Even more awesome than that, I really feel that any time we are behaving in a way that Jesus would, and following the Ten Commandments in our lives, we allow God to flow through us and move us in the direction we need to be going. Just as Jesus prayed for God not to "lead" Him into temptation or evil, but instead to move Him away from those paths. I'll finish with this; if this is what happens with our good words and behaviors then who is speaking through us when we have bad behaviors that go against God's law? It is not of God, and there is one thing on earth that fits that bill. Who do you want to speak through you? I've made my choice.

AMEN

What about you?

Day by day you do what you should;

Who do you need to tell you you're good?

Look in the mirror, and what do you see?

The answer is you, and not me.

Don't seek the approval of others;

Though they may be your sisters and brothers.

They are not your judge;

Thinking they are, will cause a grudge.

You should know you do well;

Look around to tell;

You do what you can for others to excel.

Give yourself a break;

Just take out a rake.

Clean up the debris;

And that will help you to see.

Your life has a design;

And you're doing just fine.

Don't forget why you're here;

Find a way to help others if it's not yet clear.

Make sure to give thanks because you are blessed;

And remember you're toughest at grading your own test!

AMEN