Saturday, June 10, 2017

June 10

Sitting down to a good cup of coffee is so delightful. The aroma fills the air and invites you to enjoy. Then suddenly as soon as you take a sip, your mouth is filled with a lump of something! So, you run as quickly as possible to spit it out. That was me, I had forgotten to check the inside of the cup and there was lumps of old coffee left inside of it. That cup came straight from the dishwasher and should have been clean. The outside looked perfect, but the inside was full of filth! Are you like that filthy cup? Are you hiding filth in your heart? Do people see a perfect picture of you not knowing what's really going on inside? Imagine having Jesus point you out and embarrass you in public, calling you a white washed tomb like He did the Pharisees, beautiful on the outside but full of bones and rotting flesh on the inside. Examine your life. Ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything you need to rid yourself of so that no one can call you a hypocrite.


You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Matthew 23:26

Friday, June 9, 2017

June 9

The beautiful Roseate Spoonbills nearly became extinct when Florida was settled because of their beautiful plumage. I can't blame the tourist for wanting their share of those pink feathers, I long to find one that has been shed. The spoonbill population has since become reestablished and are seen quite often feeding in the shallows. It's now illegal to kill them. Isn't that just like humans? We tend to want to kill the most beautiful things so we can hold them close to us. Jesus is the greatest example of this. He was so amazing that the Pharisees and Sadducees were very jealous. They couldn't wait to find a reason to kill Him, but He was perfect and He never did anything that would give them a lawful reason. Nevertheless, they trumped up charges to make themselves feel better about what they were doing. It was all part of God's plan, and now we have our salvation because of it. How scary do you think it was for them when they found out He came back to life? 


Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22

Thursday, June 8, 2017

June 8

We got a call in the middle of the night saying that there was someone creeping around my father-in-laws pasture. After a quick change, my husband bolted out the door and the next thing I hear is him shouting "get down!" He had caught the trespassers! For this night, the drug of choice for these men was the mushrooms that grow on cow dung! If that doesn't give you a clue, I don't know what will! Law enforcement showed up and their fun was over. I know what you're thinking, "how's she going to make this into a God story?" Easy! When you go after the things covered in darkness, you will eventually have to pay the price and sometimes it's with your life! Other times, you will escape unharmed only to pay for it later. Sin never goes unpunished, but thankfully we have a merciful God who has given us a "get out of hell free card" through Jesus. These guys got to live another day and just maybe they will find Jesus before they meet their end.


I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. Romans 6:19

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

June 7

How do you deal with disappointment? We all expect things to happen in a certain way and when they don't, our hopes are dashed and our heart is broken. The problem is that we put our trust where it doesn't belong, in people. We may also have unrealistic expectations. A girl may expect her man to bring her extravagant gifts for her birthday, but when she receives a simple card, she's disappointed. A boy may expect that he will meet and fall in love with a covergirl but his hopes are dashed when he finds out that most of what he loves is just makeup. We take power out of the hands of the world when we put our trust, hopes, and expectations in the hands of God, the power of the world is then diminished. We can become disillusioned with God too, but remember, He has impeccable timing. Relax and enjoy your life moment by moment and don't get discouraged when things don't go just as you had planned. It's all about God's plan anyway.


do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

June 6

Chances are that if I'm writing about it, I'm dealing with it. Yesterday's message dealt with spiritual warfare because I was under attack. We have all kinds of critters that make their way into our presence. Some of them seem cute and cuddly while others appear to be slimy and slithery. I prefer the cute and cuddly ones! So, as I'm enjoying the view, I heard a thud on my window, and there it was, a sticky, slimy four inch Cuban Tree Frog! Those things are nasty! They are also an invasive species here in Florida. They will take over and decimate the population of our native species of frogs and lizards. Thankfully, my window protected me from getting jumped on by that creature, just like the invisible shield of protection we get by praying. Sometimes we are under attack by simply doing God's work, but after praying heaven down, you feel a sense of relief that God has you covered. That frog outside my window reminded me that I'm protected.


Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. Psalms 25:19-20

Monday, June 5, 2017

June 5

How do you move on after the enemy threatens you? Now and then you have a few zingers thrown at you from the devil and you wonder how you will ever recover, but there is a solution. You begin by remembering the truth of who you are. You are a child of the Most High God! Stand strong in your faith, knowing that your salvation comes through Jesus! The enemy's plan has already been thwarted, but nevertheless he will continue to try and sift you like wheat. You must seek the Lord in prayer, call out to Him for help. This is where you will gain His strength, He is the one who will be your backbone, and you will prevail because of Him! Open up the Psalms, read a few out loud! Do you think the enemy will stick around while you're reading God's Word within his hearing? I doubt it. Let the words that you read be your encouragement, and the Holy Spirit comfort you, and you will find that His peace will rest upon you.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Pentecost Sunday June 4

We are very spoiled! Imagine living in the Old Testament times when the things of God were not so easily understood and our belief could be snatched away in a moment of weakness. But thankfully, before Jesus left, He gave us the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit! He is our precious companion that dwells within us to teach us and bring to light the things of God. In the Old Testament days God would send His Spirit to rest on certain people and He would leave once the task was accomplished. Today, because of our belief in Jesus, we are given the Holy Spirit and He stays with us continuously. I can't imagine my life without Him. How boring would my writings be if I didn't have Him prompting me along the way? Because of Him, people are touched at just the right moment and when they need a word of encouragement the most. Spend some time today to speak to the Holy Spirit and thank Him for His help. It's okay, it's Biblical, He's part of the Godhead.


"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:15-17