What or Who Has Become Your Master?

"Everything is permissable for me but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissable for me-but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Cor. 6:12

There is freedom in Christ. We are freed men and women, no longer slaves to the law or our own sinful desires. It is amazing, though, how something benign in nature, can itself become sin when it becomes a ruling power in our lives. There are a lot of things God changed in my life when I became a Christ- follower. They lost their power when I surrendered my life to Jesus. But even as a Christ-follower things can subtly make their way into my life and begin to have mastery over me.

I see how some of the game apps from Facebook can do that to me. It starts out "innocently" enough and before I know it, I have been sucked into the "game zone." It's just one more game and before I know it, it's 2am. Not good!

Food can and does have mastery over me at times. We have to eat to live but we do not have to live to eat. Watching a movie the other night with an actor that basically died from overeating, it reminded me how even the most necessary element of our lives, can become our master and destroy our lives. I have gained weight since I have been off the last 4 1/2 months. It's not like I sit around eating all day but when I do eat, it is the amount I eat. I need to remember that my body is a member of Christ Himself. ( 1 Cor. 6:15) Would I see or make Jesus eat that much? Yikes! I don't think so.

Is there anything that has mastery over You today?

Father God,
Thank You for the freedom You have given me in Christ Jesus. I no longer am a slave to anything unless I allow it. I see how something can start out innocently enough, "hook me" and then become my master. Forgive me for allowing any game or food to have power over me. I confess that as sin and repent. Strengthen me in these areas and remind me of this verse often so that I may not become a slave to anything in this world. Thank You for the picture You gave me of feeding Jesus when I feed myself. You know exactly what I need to live the life of an overcomer. I am more than a conqueror. You are my Master.

I pray for anyone today that has become a slave to anything or anyone other than You. Set them free as they surrender that to You. May You be given the glory, Father. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Rest For the Weary

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you 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.

When we become emotionless and fixed in our souls bound by inward self controlling thought process, brought about our trials or sufferings we will lose site of who is in control of our bodies and souls. Then seeking God becomes harder and harder and the loneliness becomes greater and greater the compassion, love, and desire seems to be moving further and further away, like looking in a rear view mirror and our lives and hearts seem to be moving slowly away from us. Though we may feel unworthy and God is disappointed in us, that is a lie. God tells us to come to him that he is gentle and humble in heart.

1 Peter 5:8-11
Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

O God, I come to you now and ask you lord that you would deliver us who are weary and burdened in our body and souls, because God we know you are our hope. Amen.

Encouragement & Hope in the Storm

Acts 27-28

"When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging we finally gave up all hope of being saved." Acts 27:20

"So keep up your courage men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."
Acts 27:25-26a

There are times when it seems like the storm is never going to let up, just like the men on the boat with Paul. Hope is lost of being rescued or saved. But the storm does not last forever and our worst fears 80% of the time are not realized.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. We lose our zeal for living and our sense of purpose. We sink into depression and see no way out. It is so important, as the men on the boat with Paul found out, to have people of God around you when you are going through a storm. They are able to hear from God when you can't because you are so focused on the wind and waves instead of Him. They speak life, hope and encouragement into our hearts from God's Word and remind us of who He is and whose we are. I thank God for those that have done that in my life!

Where am I today? Am I in a storm and in need of encouragement from God's people? Or am I one of God's people who need to encourage someone in the midst of a storm?

Father God,
How I praise You for being my Hope and Salvation! I thank You for making Jesus the Rescuer and Ransom for my soul. I thank You for sending godly men and women into my life to speak Your truth and get my focus back on You when I'm in the storm.

I pray for those today that are suffering from anxiety and depression. Help them to know that the storm will not last forever. Give them the courage to reach out for help. Bring alongside them godly men and women that will encourage them and point them to the Captain and Anchor of their souls. In Jesus' name. Amen.