Given April 2003
I heard a preacher talking about the verse in Romans 8: 15 that says, ” For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” I was thinking about that. How do we usually address God when we come to Him?

Adam and Eve walked with Him and apparently spent time with Him in the garden, until they sinned. Then they were afraid to be in His presence. Sometimes we’re afraid to go to Him when we’ve been bad. And, we come to Him in church or our prayer time addressing Him as, “Our dear Heavenly Faaathuh”. We see Him as a lofty, almost stranger.

But, you know, that verse in Romans says we’ve received the Spirit of adpotion, we’ve been adopted by God. I want to go to Him, jump up in His lap, and say, “Hey, Daddy!” And He will say, “Hello Son, I’m glad you’re here.”

He’s not this far-off ,unapproachable being but He’s my Daddy! I can go to Him and He’ll love me no matter what I’ve done. That’s the relationship I want all the time!

Given March 12, 2006
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 peter 5:8” Another view of this verse that God gave me is that of a stone wall that surrounds us. I think we have a “hedge of protection” around us that God has placed there, (Job 1:10), but it’s not always solid. Satan knows our weaknesses and I can see him roaming around my wall of protection to find that weak stone and start picking away at it. For instance, he’s not going to mess with the stone of theft because he knows I have no weakness in that area. I have no desire to steal something so he can’t tempt me there. That stone is solid!

But, when it comes to anger or pride or some other of my weaknesses, he knows he might have a way in there. So he tells me a lie, offers a situation, or something that will make me lose my temper or get me puffed up. You see what I mean? It happens to you too. And if I don’t do something about it, he’ll keep picking away until he gets through the wall. Then, I’m in trouble!

So, what do we do? Probably, we already know our weaknesses and if not, ask God. Then begin to search the Word for scriptures that address those weaknesses and speak them out when Satan comes around picking. If it’s anger, say, “Devil, you’re not getting me mad, I’m not receiving it! I see what you’re doing and Luke 10:19 says I have authority over all your power. So, GET OUTTA HERE!” He’ll leave. Try it.

Given March 10, 2006
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 peter 5:8” I was meditating on this verse and, as happens to me frequently, I got a picture of what this might look like but it was differnt. First, this verse tells me the devil can’t get to everyone, some are easier than others. And some things that are good can result in harmful outcomes.

I saw the devil and some of his demons roaming around looking for those he could get to. Now, these are Christians mind you. They come upon one guy who is doing “church work” but he’s doing it all the time. Old Slew Foot says, “Get that one, he’s unbalanced, we can influence him” Then they come upon one who is spending time with family, work, recreation, and church activities and the devil says, “Don’t bother with him.”

Then they come upon this guy who is balanced, knows the Word, AND believes it. The devil tells his crew, “Whoa, get on the other side of the street. This guy’s dangerous, don’t be around him!” That’s the one I want to be!

We can get so involved with good things that we get out of balance and open ourselves up to deception. We focus on the work and get our eyes off Jesus. Other areas of our lives will be affected. Take a look at the “things” in your life and ask God to show you if anything is unbalanced. Then do something about it.

Given March 3, 2006
We’ve seen this term, and others like it; raising a ruckus, raising cain, raising the roof, and probably used them from time to time. They all mean we’re complaining, arguing, in conflict with or something of that nature. The Bible says, “A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict, but a man slow to anger calms strife.” Proverbs 15:18

One of my boys got a big disappointment recently from somewhere he’d applied to and his first inclination, as was mine, was to retaliate. We wanted to let them know how we felt! And how wrong they were! But, in his youthful wisdon, after thinking about it, he said this, “When you raise hell, you only bring up fire and misery.”

I thought that was a very true assessment. As Christians, we’re supposed to do our best to be at peace with everyone, to turn the other cheek, to forgive. Our flesh wants to retialiate and fight back but that usually only does what he said, brings up bad things and makes the situation worse. His reply to these people was goinig to be more Christlike, and that makes me proud of him. Way to go JD.

Given March 1, 2006
During my morning prayer time, I was visualizing how it must be in Heaven with God on the throne and all the residents there worshiping and praising Him. A vast crowd, I’m sure. Or, He’s taking care of some of His duties running the universe. Whatever He’s doing, He stops when I lift up a prayer.

I can see God holding His hand up to the crowd as He hears me and He says, “Wait a minute, my son’s calling.” Even in the midst of all that’s going on in Heaven, He hears my prayer and takes the time to listen and respond back to me! “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2“. What an awesome thing!

Jesus did this too. Many times, although crowds were around him, He took the time to listen to Jairus, (Mark 5:22-24), the woman with the issue of blood, (Matthew 9:20), or the centurion, (Matthew 8:5-7). He takes the time to listen to us too.