Twelve Minutes with God

Feeling alone or abandoned?  Wondering how you can possibly survive with all the evil around today?  Are you thinking nothing can be done to improve your situation? 

It is time to reprogram your brain and renew your spirit.  How? Consider spending at least twelve minutes each day with God in prayer.  Forget the persistent "God knows" excuses for not praying - how I feel, what I need, when things are bad, where i need to go, who can help, why we need Him.  He wants you to talk to Him!  So ask for what you need, give God praise, trust Him, listen for His voice, and feel God's love.

Forget the excuse of "I don't have time to pray" - everyone has time to do something they value.  Do you value God?  Jesus believed prayer was important, you should too!  A relationship with God means more than time spent sitting in church or reading a devotional and then meditating on it.  Prayer is real communication with God and it leads to real spiritual growth.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, 

whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, 

whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." 

- Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV) 

“It has been found that 12 minutes of daily focused prayer over an 8 week period can change the brain to such an extent that it can be measured on a brain scan. This type of prayer increases activity in brain areas associated with social interaction compassion and sensitivity to others. It also increases frontal lobe activity as focus and intentionality increase." - Dr. Caroline Leaf, neuroscience PhD  + author of Switch On Your Brain and books on stress.  For more about how prayer changes the brain and body, visit Renewing All Things blog.

Personally, I have been doing this for a few months and am amazed at how much it has improved my attitude about things and increased my faith.  I walk daily for exercise and I spend the first 12-15 minutes of my walk praying and praising God.  I try not to ask for anything, instead I  use the time to acknowledge who He is and what He means to me.  I feel reassured that my awesome God has got this, He will take care of everything, He holds me and those I care about safely in his strong but loving hands.  Nothing is impossible for my God!  Indeed no thing is too small for Him to care about or too big for Him to conquer!

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Evangelizing with Gospel Tracts

Previously, an idea of Ministering and Witnessing via Bookmarks was shared on this blog as a technique to spread the message of Christ to others.  Now, with the growing need for more people to know about God, as well as both freedom of speech and religion being suppressed on the internet, it is time to reconsider the use of paper-based gospel tracts.  Tracts may contain short stories, faith Bible verses, illustrations, or poetry.

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, 

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, 

and bring glad tidings of good things!" - Romans 10:15 (KJV)

It may seem like an old-fashioned idea, using printed tracts to spread the gospel and witness to people.  However, it is an easy and inexpensive method for those less confident about talking to others.  Tracts  provide something real for the person receiving it to hold onto and review multiple times at their convenience.  It is still a relevant evangelistic tool for churches and individuals to spread the gospel of Christ.  Let us bring back the Gospel tracts!

Below are a some websites where you may obtain Christian tracts:

• Lifeway Store and Article Blog
• ChristianBook Store 
• Gospel-Tracts Features Combo Packages
• TractPlanet Sore
• Reaching the World Designers and Distributors
• Moments with the Book Design and Store
• Crossway Store
• Page Ministries Store or FREE Downloads 
• Living Waters Store 
• Liberty Gospel Tracts and FREE Resources

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Depression Rising? Look for Strength in the Joy of the Lord

Have you heard that more people are getting depressed each year?  Is depression really on the rise?  
--  According to CBS News, from 1980 to 2014, the use of anti-depressants in the United States doubled.
--  According to NBC News, major depression diagnosis rose 33% in four year period (from to 2013 through 2016) based on 2018 BCBS report and charts.
--  According to NAMCS survey, since 1987 the number of depression diagnosis had 450% increase plus 2020 Happier Human reports the estimated cost of depression is $100 Billion per year.

Why?  Some blame technology and social media because it builds a barrier to people being close and continual communication.  Others say it is situational because there are lots of different types of depression.

"... For this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; 

for the joy of the Lord is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)

Could the increase in depression be related to the decrease in church attendance or Christian faith in America?  A correlation in the statistics does make it seem very likely this is part of the problem. Church not only provides a basis for faith, it provides a fellowship with other Christians.  Prayer to God and physically having someone to talk with is an important part of recovery.

-- According to 2014 Religion News article, from 1997 to 2012 the drop in religious activity [like church attendance and dedicated prayer] was double what the drop was during the "free love" hippie culture of 1960s through early 1970s.
-- Was the leveling of religion from the 70s to late 90s  due to Christian conversion turnaround in history of the Jesus Movement from late 1960s through 1970s?  There was a church attendance spike and another religious awakening after the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001.  What will it take to bring the USA back to one nation under God?

Find out ways to help in 2018 column from Everyday Health that offers 5 ways faith can help depression.  Belief Net shares 6 truths about depression and faith.  Compelling Truth also posts ideas on types of depression and multiple Bible references.

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Five Reasons We Have to Ask God For What We Want

The Bible tells us in Matthew that God knows what we need before we do.  God can bless at us at any time, in any place, and in any situation.  Why?  Because God loves us.
 

"... for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, 

before ye ask him." 
- Matthew 6:8 (KJV)

The Bible also tells us in James that we have to ask God for what what we want before we can get.  So if He knows before we do, why does he require us to ask?  Below are 5 reasons why God wants you to ask for what you want before you can get:

1. He wants a real relationship with you.  Genuine relationships rely on two-way communication.
2. He wants you to know that all good things come from God!  Not from: yourself, others, fate, luck, nor because of anything going on in the world.
3. He truly wants to meet all your needs and bless you with more than that!  You must be aware of what you need before you know that you are blessed, not just physical needs but emotional and spiritual as well.
4. He wants you to grow strong in your faith and be a witness to others.  Acknowledging God has blessed you will aid you in this.  You have to be strong to resist temptation.
5. He wants you to trust him.  When He answers, you know you can rely on His promises.

"... yet ye have not, because ye ask not."- James 4:2 (KJV)

Other places in the Bible, it tells us we must be patient and persistent in our prayers.  Just because God does not provide an answer quickly, does not mean he will not.  Perhaps it is not yet time for you to have that particular thing as you are not mature enough to handle it, have the wrong attitude in asking for it, or He plans to use the answer to help  others in addition to yourself when it happens.  Yes, God knows what you need, but he also knows when you need it and when you do not.

September Daily Devotionals: You Listen to God

You know God wants a relationship with your because He loves you.  A good relationship requires communication.  God wants to talk to you, He wants you to listen to him, and have a conversation with you, directly or indirectly.God wants to talk to you - He may this do through a small still voice or a loud shout, through a thought or his word (the Holy Bible), during your prayer time, or even through the words or touch of others.  God’s desire is to always be there for you and to talk with you.  Will you listen to God?

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Please read the scriptures below and think about what they are saying about your communications with God and what each is telling you to personally about listening to God.

September References for Daily Devotionals

Please note: Links below take you to another site to view the scriptures references.  If you are using a print Bible or a preferred Bible App, you should skip clinking on the links in the devotional table.

Date	Scripture	Date	Scripture
1	Deuteronomy 4:10-13	16	Proverbs 10:16-17
2	Deuteronomy 4:35-36	17	2 Timothy 3:16-17
3	Matthew 4:4	18	Proverbs 22:17-19
4	Deuteronomy 13:3-4	19	Hebrews 2:1-4
5	Deuteronomy 28:1-6	20	Hebrews 3:14-15
6	Matthew 7:24-27	21	Isaiah 30:21
7	Psalm 25:4-9	22	Isaiah 55:2-3
8	Psalm 37:7-9	23	Isaiah 64:4-5
9	John 10:2-4	24	Hebrews 4:12
10	John 10:27-29	25	Hebrews 12:25-26
11	Psalm 62:5-8	26	Ezekiel 3:10
12	Psalm 85:7-9	27	James 1:17-22
13	Romans 10:17	28	Habakkuk 2:1
14	Proverbs 2:1-5	29	Zephaniah 3:17
15	1 Corinthians 2:14-16	30	Revelation 4:1

Is Socially Acceptable Becoming a New Religion?

Some say they do not like the Christian religion because it has so many rules.  Yet many people I talk to lately feel more constrained by the "politically correct" language we are expected to use today more than what the Bible says we are to do.  Being told what one can or cannot say seems counter to freedom of speech, as promised in the constitutional amendment #1.  Besides being told how to talk, we are also told how to act, plus: where and when we can pray, talk about Jesus, or even be seen with a Bible in our hands.This too seems opposite of the freedom of religion also stated in that same amendment.

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, 

so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

The Bible teaches us to watch our words, so I am merely asking that everyone think before you speak.  Please consider acceptable words of the past and the many proper definitions of a word (instead of possible slang not everyone knows) before you condemn others for what they say.  Twisted definitions of a word may be as misleading as the false prophets warned about in the Bible.  To make a guess at the meaning of a word or not listening to the full context of a speech, rather than an interpretation of another’s personal thoughts, can cause multiple problems.  Only God knows what is in the heart of someone.

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, 

do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12 (ESV)

Besides being told what we can say, other forms of communication are becoming taboo.  We are now being told what behaviors are socially acceptable.  Christians are taught to show love but are now afraid to touch others who may need a simple hand squeeze, a pat on the back, a shoulder to cry on, or even a little hug.  Why?  It may be because so many people (both Christians and non-believers) are being condemned by society, without proof of guilt, just for touching someone or even accidentally brushing against another.  What happened to innocent until proven guilty in this country?  We need to wait and let the courts decide and not rely on smear tactics, social media and public opinion to judge.  Although we need to be aware of what we say and do, especially around children, we should not be so consumed by the rules of engagement that we never fellowship with other Christians or lend a helping hand to nonbelievers.  Remember that God is the judge because he knows the true intentions of each person.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

So is there a new "politically correct" religion forming under the guise of “socially acceptable?”  If so, will another 1st amendment right to go be the ability for like-minded people to assemble?  Will church attendance become a thing of the past as we are told it is wrong or “too religious” a practice?  Surely the Bill of Rights still applies to Christians in America, no matter what the devil wishes us to hear or fear!

When thinking about this possible new society religion and where it may be coming from,

I had this thought flash through my mind about Jesus' temptation by the devil and Christ telling him to leave in Matthew 4.  The devil tries to whisper in the ears of Christians and they reply “Get away from me satan.”  The devil whispers in the ear of some politicians and they ask “How soon can we do that?”