A Hook in Your Mouth

Good morning, my friend!  Good morning, Father!  

“Don’t allow us to be tempted. Instead, rescue us from the evil one.” - Matthew 6:13 GW

Lord, we all struggle with self medicating in one form or another - whether it is food, drugs, sex, gossip, shopping, alcohol, video games, coffee, fantasy...the list goes on and on.  Even healthy things, like our own families, can become an idol that we crave more than we do You.  Most of us have at least one of these hooks in our mouths — foreign gods that we turn to for comfort instead of the one, true God of all comfort.  

Father, I lift up my friend.  Together we lift up our country and our world.  It is so distressing to see the violence, selfishness, unrestrained lust and greed that are so pervasively and shamelessly flaunted.  As it was in the days of Noah, (Gen 6:5,11-12) we revel in our debauchery, and those in greatest decay are celebrated and held in highest regard.  Lord, deliver us from our foreign gods.  Help us to abandon unhealthy thinking and heretical relationships that keep us in slavery, with despair in our hearts and a hook in our mouths.  Tap us on the shoulder when challenging circumstances tempt us to look longingly over our shoulder at the lusts of our Egypt.  Show us the way of escape and strengthen our resolve to take it.  Call us forward, Lord, away from the intoxicating aromas of leeks and onions that serve as bait for our return to slavery.  Help us to stand up for righteousness, even if we are the only one.  

Father we ask for strength and boldness.  Soften our hearts to be willing to call out to the wandering masses with compassion and love.  Let us remember our own wanton bent, that our words will offer a lifeline of hope and deliverance to those mired in their ways.  Teach us wisdom to wait upon You, and with the wind of Your Spirit to rise up above temptation with eagle’s wings (Is 40:31).  Help us to set our eyes firmly on Your kingdom.  Then, may we catch the beautiful aroma of the fragrance of Christ (2 Cor 2:15) and pursue Him — first, foremost and forever.  In Jesus Name ❤️

Dear friend, is there a hook in your mouth - something unhealthy that leads you around, determines your course and controls your behavior?  The enemy is also a fisher of men.  He watches our lives to determine which is the best bait with which to catch you.  Why not come to the Father.  Ask Him to remove the hook from your mouth and replace the hunger for what will harm you for a hunger for His goodness.  💡


If you have been encouraged or challenged, please repost and further His kingdom!

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