Saturday, April 8, 2017

April 8

For whom are you living your life? Is it your kids, husband, wife, boss, parents, or someone else? If your answer is anything but God, you're starting in the wrong place. Now I'm not saying you shouldn't obey those in authority over you, you are supposed to do that, but what I am saying is that you must first dedicate your entire life to Him for things to be in proper order. Strive to please Him first. When you make Him number one, the rest of your life will fall into place. It may not be comfortable and cozy, but God will be proud. As a matter of fact, if you are feeling comfortable with your life, you're probably not within God's will! I believe that many disorders, sickness, and the stress we suffer from, could be healed if we just got this one thing right. May it never be said of me that I loved the glory that comes from pleasing man rather than the glory that comes from God!

for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:43

Friday, April 7, 2017

April 7

Even though I live in a major metropolitan area, I'm on a street that is pure country. Most on our street abide by the rule, love your neighbor as yourself. During hurricane Francis, we had trees down everywhere. My husband, who has a heart of gold, didn't even wait for the rain to stop before he got out there with the chainsaw cutting up and moving branches to clear the road. He and the other neighbors worked tirelessly making a pathway for those trapped. Everyone worked together toward a common goal. I believe that's how God intended for us to be, helping one another out of love. It was a great lesson for my children too; they now do their part to help others without grumbling or complaining. There may come a time when all we have is one another, where law enforcement and first responders are unavailable, so go out of your way to be kind and helpful, you never know when you might need them.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:14-15

Thursday, April 6, 2017

April 6

Many years ago, my husband and I, replaced the roof on our house. Our whole family worked together to remove those old shingles. The new roof was good for nearly twenty years. We decide that it was time to replace it again. The State of Florida was in a drought, the perfect time to get the job done. But, as everyone knows, once you take off the protective layer of shingles, the heaven will open up and pour out it's blessings. What was once dry and cozy became a sieve, filtering the water right into our house! What a mess it left! Like the protection of our roof that once kept out the rain, maybe your protective barrier is blocking your blessings. We sometimes become so hardened by past hurts that our hearts can't receive what God has waiting for us. It takes prayer and trust to remove barriers. If you're going through a dry spell, start taking off some layers, then watch it rain!

And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

April 5

When you see your fellow soldiers in Christ sticking their necks out in obedience to Him, try to encourage them. Your kind words may be the boost they need to continue in what God has called them to do. However, even without encouragement, I pray that their efforts continue, because it is God we are to please and not man. My neighbor, as part of the conversation, asked a new friend if he and his family attended church; he replied that they never have. He then invited them to his church and they came! They now attend regularly. That small invitation has impacted his whole family and will probably affect generations to come. Who knows, the next Billy Graham may come from that simple gesture. We've all been called to make a difference in this world and there are no small parts, so I'm here to encourage you in your ministry for the kingdom. Your task may seem simple, but the impact could be felt worldwide.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

April 4

Have you ever bitten into a persimmon before it was ripe? It is so beautiful on the outside and appears to be ready, but I can tell you that it's awful, bitter, and it dries out your mouth, and you wish you had never seen it, touched it, or tasted it! When it is ripe, it's a very sweet and delicious fruit, but having experienced such a bad taste, it makes you leery of trying it again. I think church can be like that too. Many people have had bad experiences in church and now reject it completely. It is hard, once you've felt mistreated, to want to try again. Every church is not full of spiritually mature believers, even though they talk the talk and look pretty on the outside, there are some that may be like that persimmon, bitter and nasty. If you are one of those who have felt rejection in a church, just try again. It's like dating; you don't always marry your first date. There is a community of believers just waiting to welcome you in, so get out there and try again!

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Monday, April 3, 2017

April 3

As believers in Jesus, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. That happened the day we accepted Jesus as our Savior. He is a permanent fixture in our life and will never depart from us. He was a gift to us from Jesus, someone to accompany us and give us comfort. Jesus knew we needed him because of the trials that we face on a daily basis. He helps us by convicting us of sin, illuminating the truths of the scriptures, and draws us close to Jesus. So much of the scripture points to Jesus and the Father, and that's the job of the Holy Spirit, to shine the light on their holiness; I think sometimes we forget how important He is because of that. Jesus spoke about Him and His name depicts who He is and shows His deity. He is the one who gave the writers the inspiration for the scriptures. He is very humble and doesn't toot His own horn, because of this, we may not notice Him, but don't be naive, His seal is on every word of the scriptures. 

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-14

Sunday, April 2, 2017

April 2

Do you get late afternoon cravings for a snack? Sometimes I just need a little something to tie me over until dinner. So, I'm standing in the kitchen munching on some peanuts. I had just gotten back from taking my dog to the veterinarian. He gave me some new food for her because she's a little chubby. As I'm eating, I'm reading the bag to see how much to feed her. I'm not really paying attention to what I'm doing and accidentally grabbed a handful of kibble and threw it into my mouth like peanuts! I immediately spit it out! What if I had no knowledge of how peanuts were supposed to taste? Would I have known the difference between the peanuts and the dog food? The same thing is true about the spiritual food you are receiving. If you have no knowledge of biblical truth, how do you know what you are getting fed is true? You can't. Unless you study your Bible diligently, you are susceptible to being mislead and feeding your soul dog food.

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:11

Dog food is not for you!


You know your food and what you're eating. Do you know about what's nourishing your soul? The scriptures included in this video are Matthew 7:15-20 and Acts 17:11.

Here's the correct pronunciation for Thessalonica  [thes-uh-lon-i-kuh]. I tripped over it a bit in the video! Hahaha!