You Can Be His Disciple

Each day let us all walk in love:

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." (Romans 12:9-11)

" Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit."

(1 John 4:11-13)

With every person we meet, let us be His hands and feet:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another." (Romans 15:13-14)

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) 

Go each day where He leads and teach the Truth:

"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:18-20)

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

In every situation, feel the comfort and joy from our Creator.  He created us to obey His commands and spread His Truth.  Who do you know that needs to hear His message today?

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for feeding Truth to my life.  Continue to lead me in the way You plan for my life.  Use me in any way to spread Your Word.  May I continually be an arrow pointing others to Your Truth.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Avoid Anticipation

Anticipation can be a great feeling when a pleasurable event waits in your future.  Your emotions excite when planning, visualizing the event and counting down the days until it arrives. 

My son looks forward to the weekend every Monday.  He wakes up and tries to focus on the weekend to come and all of our plans.  His thoughts become happier as each day passes.  He anticipates fun times ahead

Unfortunately, anticipation can also be an awful feeling as well.  You dread an upcoming event and just know it will turn out sour.  You would just rather pass up the whole thing and move on.   

On the other hand, my son drags his feet in the morning and hates to think of the school day ahead.  His favorite times at school include recess, gym and lunch.  Every other class and time, he could do without.  His outlook is grim and he anticipates the whole time to be dull, boring and miserable.  His thoughts lead him to unnecessary anxiety and sadness.

There is a constant battle for our thoughts every day.  Satan would love for us to anticipate the worst scenarios instead of focusing on the blessings in life and the good times that await.

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,
   I wait for God my Savior;
   my God will hear me." (Micah 7:7)

"Why, my soul, are you downcast?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5)

"Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
   my hope comes from him." (Psalm 62:5)

Ultimately, every day turns out as He plans.  Our ideas, thoughts, anticipations and plans do not matter.  He knows the best result and will bring peace to every situation faced.  We need not waste our time and energy concocting ideas of the turn out.  We only bring anxiety, worry and dread upon ourselves as we anticipate difficult or unwanted events.  Or, we set ourselves up for disappointment, frustrations and sadness when an exciting event does not turn out as expected.

Give every day to Him; He has the plan in place already.  Focus on His blessings through every situation, not on how YOU think the details should pan out.  Our hope is in Him.  Wait for His guidance and keep the enemy behind you.  Joyce Meyer always says, "Where the mind goes, the man follows."  Keep your mind on Him and focus on His plan.  Throw out any negative thoughts and replace them with Truth, knowing whatever may come will be good because God is at your side. 

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for planning every detail of my days.  Keep my thoughts focused on the present.  I give You my anxieties about the future.  I know You hold all kinds of great plans for me, plans I cannot even imagine.  I wait for You.  I am here to go wherever You lead.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig  

Share the Good News!

"Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Colossians 3:9-10)

Life prior to accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior may look pretty ugly.  It may look like an old car seen in a junk yard; beat up, broken and dead.  Or prior life may resemble a house in shambles; desolate, unstable and unfit for human living.  These items may not be restored.  A new one must be purchased.  The owner must earn money and save to be able to replace an old junker or a ruined home. 

"My son, pay attention to what I say;
   turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
   keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
   and health to one’s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart,
   for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:20-23) 

"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:22-23)

Thankfully God does not require us to attain grace.  He does not ask for us to save up good works and then turn them in for salvation.  No junk yard for damaged goods exists.  No person is left in shambles without help.

He forgives any sin and places it behind, in the past.  Though we suffered and felt hopeless; He can restore you to new life.  He does this freely.  Jesus already paid the price in full.  His promises bring nourishment to your soul and peace in your hearts.  Keep His Word near always and follow His commands for your life.  You will be restored and made new, cleansed inside and out.  Then, you may go and be disciples for Christ.  He will lead to others who need to hear about Him. 

Maintain your new self, keeping the old away.  Walk in love, peace, joy and obedience to your Creator.  Keep your new self shining for all to see Christ through you.  Your new life will feel awesome because doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord always brings joy.  Comforting feelings result in knowing our Eternal home waits for us; this life is only temporary.  We must live for Him who died for us!  Be His hands and feet and share the good news! 

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for bringing me from destruction and creating a new life.  I felt damaged beyond repair, destroyed, broken and in shambles.  You came and saved me.  My past sin washed clean upon acceptance that Your Son paid the price in full.  Thank You for sending Jesus to do this for all of us sinners.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Listen to His Pep Talk

My son receives 'atta boys' from school as he grows closer to the reading goal set for second graders.  He will also bring a paper home displaying his level of ability to pronounce specific words in a given time.  Usually, stats show where a child seven years old needs to be or the goal to reach by the end of second grade.

My daughter goes to the doctor for a well check-up and they weigh her and check her height.  Then, the doctor comes in and places those measurements on a graph comparing to all the other three year olds.  The chart even displays how tall and big the typical kid will grow. 

If you ever go to the gym and use the modern treadmills, they mark out your workout.  Each milestone pops up and allows you to see the progress made and think about the distance or time left to go.  Workouts vary from easy to hard.  The categories help to formulate a plan base on the desired goal.  One may burn more calories, while another may just be a casual walk. 

All of these examples provide a goal to reach and present progress reports along the way; all based on "typical" or "average" results.  Knowing the end result and the length of time needed can bring safe, secure feelings.  Also, it can motivate us as we draw closer to the end.  With each advance, the accomplishment can be seen clearly and we give ourselves a little pep talk, "You are almost there.  You can do this.  Keep your head up and focus on the end."

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 3:13-14)

Our goals and dreams may not coincide with the plan God placed for our lives.  It may be hard at times to realize what He is saying or where He is guiding our steps.  But, be still and wait, listen and obey His commands.  He holds the plans and outlines for our future.  There are no "average" lifestyles, graphed out goals or categorized plans to choose from.  God does not work in monotony or by standards.  He specifically chose a plan for every one of His children.

Trying times may present anxiety, worry or a frustrated spirit; but, we must seek Him and captivate every thought, making it obedient to Him (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).  Do not fall in the pattern of comparison to other's progress, dwell on past mistakes or feel that giving up is an option.  Strain forward and focus on the end result, an eternal life with our Creator! 

All our trials and dark times are in His hands.  He is there cheering us along and assuring us this is temporary.  Keep your head up, you are almost there.  For, He has great plans for you, to prosper not to harm and to use your story to help another in need of His Truth.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)  

God, thank you for this day.  Keep my eyes focused on You.  Thank you for all Your pep talks and Words of encouragement with each step I take.  Thank You for signs to remind me of my progress and to keep my head up.  I surrender it all to You.  I ask for You to take every lie from Satan and feed me Truth.  Guide me to others who need to hear about You and the comfort You provide.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

   

No More Hiding!

My children love to play hide and seek in the house.  One counts to ten while the other goes and hides among our clothes, in a cabinet, a closet, behind a door or under a desk.  Depending on the seeker, it could take a while for the other to be found.  Typically, my three year old repeatedly hides in the same place or screams out her location as my son seeks.  My son will find a good place and sit quietly when it is his turn to hide.  We usually help our daughter find him by pointing in his direction.  Sometimes he will make a noise to help her and give a hint to his position in the house. 

The rules for hide and seek twist a bit when the Craig kids play.  My daughter will ask, once done counting, "Brayson, where are you?"  Either she really does not understand the whole hiding thing or strategize to trip him up, causing him to yell out, "I am right here!"  There are times when my son directs my daughter to a hiding place.  Since he is the seeker, this point of play goes against the rules as well.  The whole process is rather comical.

"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.  When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him." (Deuteronomy 4:29-30)  

"Look to the LORD and his strength;
   seek his face always." (1 Chronicles 16:11) 

In our life, we may find a hiding place.  Whether it be isolation in our homes, an addiction or numbing out through things OF this world.  Those hiding places bring comfort and ways to avoid a tough situation.  Our reactions fall into a pattern and we repeatedly run to our hiding spot.  If we run to others first for an answer, we may follow their ways and be lead in the wrong direction.  This increases the risk for the enemy to find us and destroy. 

I believe my kids way of hide and seek can serve as an example of the way we should handle situations.  Hang with me here. . .

We must seek Him first.  He is the Way, Truth and Life (see John 14:6).  Through accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior and seeking Him with all our heart, we live an abundant life.  Just as my daughter screams out her location so her brother may find her quickly; God yells out to us loudly for us to come His way if only we choose to seek Him.  Cry out His name, throw your hands up to Him and surrender all of your life to Him.  He cares so much about you and will not leave you to sit in hiding.  He will meet you and comfort you. 

There will be times when your cries are heard and He quickly sends a believer to point you in His direction.  They come to guide you to His Truth and open your eyes.  Clear vision helps you walk in the right direction.  Walking with Him creates peace in life and eliminates hiding spots.  Create a strategy to keep the lies out and recognize the schemes of our enemy.  Take a stand against those lies and keep focus on God!  Doing so removes hiding as an option.

God, thank you for this day.  May I eliminate any hiding place I created when living in bondage.  Keep my eyes focused and my ears attentive to Your Truth.  Thank You for guiding my feet and loving me through every part of my journey.  Your Word brings comfort, peace and joy.  I am sorry for hiding so many years from You.  I will seek You daily with my whole heart and I believe You will provide the strength needed to complete the plans for my life.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

Addictions Create a Foothold for Satan

A habit arises quicker than we realize.  Some say 21 days or 28 days; while others say 66 days on average.  Which ever the case may be, we are creatures of habit.  The consistent actions keep us in the know of plans.  We map out our day and continue in the same pattern as the day before.  Our lives resemble cookie cutters; predictable and homogenous.  A comforting feeling arises when remaining the same, never changing.

Unfortunately, habits can become destructive and hinder our eyesight for His plan.  We need to become flexible and transform our thoughts and patterns to His perfect will.  Often our acquired behavior patterns become so common to us, we fail to realize their presence.  The monotony inhibits our growth. 

'They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” (2 Peter 2:19)

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.' (1 Corinthians 6:12)

The more obsessions and "feel good" addictions we pick up along the way, the greater the devil's foothold.  Satan will use any worldly pattern to suck us in.  The lies spoken consume our thoughts and the habit becomes our master.  The damage to our soul when choosing the lies as our master leads only to destruction.

I am guilty 100% of falling victim to pleasing my flesh through addictive behaviors.  I love being in the know of what is to come.  Anxiety arises when I sit and wait in the unknown.  Satan entices me with ways to find peace OF this world.  His lies lead my flesh to desire a drink, a cigarette, deprivation of food, routine in my eating patterns or over exercise to numb out of any anxiety.  These addictions only begin the process of bondage.  If not caught quickly, I could easily fall back into the enemy's hands.  I must take a stand and turn it all over to Him. 

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2)

He has your best interest at heart.  Replace every flesh driven habit with prayer.  Change every lie from the enemy to Truth from our Creator.  Rely on Him for your plans.  Throw routine out of your life and continue to GO in the direction of Him.  No day will be the same.  He continually commands good works every place your feet travel.  Okay, so you will constantly be unaware of the future, avoid cookie cutter days and may feel incompetent from time to time.  Guess what?  With every obedient step, He blesses.  He provides the strength and confidence to defeat the enemy and do what is right in His eyes.  Become a servant to our Creator and live life to the fullest!  Create a habit of turning it all over to Him!

God, thank you for this day.  This day is in Your hands.  Guide my every move so to grow even closer in relationship to You.  Rid me of my ugly habits which create bondage over my life.  Keep my eyes focused on You so I may not be mastered by anything of this world.  May my flesh never feel comforted by my past addictions and the lies Satan tries to feed me.  Thank You for breaking the bondage he placed around me.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig

 

Protection Required

Certain places require specific attire.  You would not arrive at prom in your pajamas, a restaurant without a shirt (especially if you were a woman), visit a pool in your winter coat or enter your workplace in underpants.  Some situations demand equipment to survive.  I do not picture anyone going to school without a pencil and notebook, playing football without a helmet and padding or entering war without weapons.  I pray for all to wear seat belts when in a vehicle, a helmet while riding a motorcycle or bicycle and steel-toed boots at a construction site. 

This equipment and attire provide safety, protection, organization, preparedness and the ability to face the current situation with confidence.

The above requirements may be so obvious, but yet some people miss out on the most obvious equipment, attire and safety items needed.  In life, each day is a spiritual battle for your thoughts.  God asks for us to put on the armor necessary to face that battle.  Without each piece properly placed, the battle may be lost.

Put on the belt of truth - speaking honestly to one another and removing all masks or hidden struggles.  The breastplate of righteousness - keeping in sync with the moral standards God provides in His Word.  The boots of peace - walking in kindness, joy and love knowing God lives inside you.  Place on your head the helmet of salvation - believing God to be your Lord and Savior and allowing Him to set you free.  Take in one hand the shield of faith - guarding your heart against the fiery darts of our enemy.  And in the other hand hold tightly the sword of the spirit - God's Word will defy all lies the enemy throws our way.  His Truth overpowers and dominates the battle within our mind.

The devil is sneaky and does not care about anyone's well-being.  If we fail to place on the armor each and every morning, the enemy will find a foothold and destroy our thoughts.  The above armor places us on the winning side in battle.  We become one of His army men/women.  God's army never loses.  With His Truth, we remain prepared for any scheme of the enemy; we are safe in His arms; and we receive all the benefits of being victorious through Him!

Do you want to be on the winning team?  Seek God, get to know Him and accept Him as your Lord and Savior.  He will protect, prepare and fight the battles for you.

Reference (Ephesians 6:10-17)

'Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.' (Acts 2:38-41) Emphasis mine

God, thank you for this day.  Thank You for providing the protection I need daily to win this spiritual battle.  I signed up on Your roster and will remain.  I am here for You and willing to go into any situation with the confidence that You have my back.  Thanks for being my friend, Savior, Father, healer, counselor and leader in life.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

Sheree Craig