Saturday, July 1, 2017

July 1

As a child of God and a teacher of His Word, I must submit to the authority of those He has set over me. I must humble myself and realize that I am just a piece of the puzzle that God is putting together. Each piece has a particular shape but are not alike. As the puzzle comes together, the details of the picture become clearer. What's wonderful is that we are all linked together, perfectly placed, and there are no gaps, and no missing pieces! Do you know your place? This becomes easier when you stop quenching the Spirit and allow Jesus to take over your body as a vessel for His work. If you don't see the work of the Spirit in your life, you must question your salvation. Faith without works is dead. There is great joy in knowing your place; when your part becomes defined, you see God's hand moving you, and eventually placing you into the puzzle where you are linked arm in arm with those He has called you to serve with.


For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5

Friday, June 30, 2017

June 30


My daughter and I took a trip into Ybor City to visit a Jamaican man who specializes in healthy clean eating. He was a very interesting man. We listened to him tell us all about our inside health by observing what was going on, on our outside. His favorite ingredient is aloe, and he uses it to make a drink that is supposed to help you get your bowels into working order. It was a heinous drink and I couldn't stomach it. My daughter, however, has been going to him for a while and drank it down like a trooper! Just as your eating habits can affect your overall health and outward appearance, so can the things that you allow into your mind. Feeding your mind garbage, can begin to show up in your attitude, and can weigh heavily on your relationships. Consider taking in some healthy food for your mind, and begin feeding on the bread of life. Don't just consume it, meditate upon it, savor it, and take in all that the Word of God has to offer!


Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Thursday, June 29, 2017

June 29

My husband and I like to spend time on this quaint little island in South Florida. It's remote, not easily accessible, but you get an overall sense of peacefulness just being there. One of the drawbacks is also one of the things that I love about it, no bridge! After a nice stay, we packed up our things and were heading home when I realized that I didn't have my phone. We turned on the locator and there it was, back on the island! Oh the joy on Richard's face! We can't just turn around and go back to get it, no, we have to get into the boat to get across, being sure to observe all no wake zones! Jesus is the bridge that connects us to the paradise of Heaven and He is the only way to get there! You cannot get there by any other means. There is always a price to pay for such luxury. That price is our sin and He expects us to turn away from it. He takes our sin, cleans us up, and welcomes us into His kingdom. It's the best deal out there and you don't need a boat!


Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

June 28

Think deeply about what causes you anxiety and frustration. Having my house on the market for nearly a month caused me a bit of anxiety. Showing after showing with no offer is disappointing. The months of preparation, getting it ready to be presented, only accentuated that feeling. Thinking that I had heard from the Lord, but realizing that I may have been listening to my own desires, is probably the worst feeling of all. That moment of weakness is when the enemy pounces, causing me to second guess my connection with God. Am I fooling myself into thinking that I hear His voice? The truth is that His voice is loud and clear! I'm not the one in control, He is! Sometimes it takes big lessons for us to learn to wait on Him. Once I released control over this situation, my anxiety left me and my sense of peace and calm was restored. In whatever situation you are in, today is the day for you to release control and let God handle it.  


Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

June 27

My husband and I took a boat ride around Gasparilla Island, also known as Boca Grande. We started out in the calm inter coastal area and then ventured out into the Gulf of Mexico. Once we rounded the northern tip of the island the water became choppy and rough. It probably wouldn't have been so bad except we had brought our little dogs with us hoping they would also enjoy the ride, but all I kept thinking was that if we hit a rogue wave one of them might get bounced out of the boat. So for the entire length of the island, I had to hold onto them for dear life. We finally reached the southern end and once we rounded it, the waters became smooth again. The island shielded the inter coastal waters from the wind as a barrier. Jesus is like our safe harbor, our inter coastal, and the Gulf is the world. We must get out into the world to survive, but Jesus is our place of calm, peace, and safety. Go, and seek refuge in Him.


He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalms 91:1-2

Monday, June 26, 2017

June 26

The kingdom of heaven is like a girl who went in search of the sea, and once she found it, sold everything she had and bought it. The sea is full of treasure! It's an unread book full of mysteries, abundant life, sights you have never seen. You are drawn to it because of the crystal blue color, the sand, and the waves. The treasure hidden beneath its surface draw the curious and the thrill seeker. Though it's full of beauty there are also predators seeking to devour you, but even knowing that, it doesn't stop you from loving the sea, because the gifts and the treasure outweighs your fear of the enemy. The kingdom of heaven is Jesus.  He is our treasure, our gift! If you haven't sold everything to purchase His treasure, it's time you do. Sell the greed, your sinful passions, your love of darkness, and anything else that's keeping you from going all in for the one who loves you. Your love for the things of this world is the price you pay. He is worth it all!


"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44

Sunday, June 25, 2017

June 25

If you have a child that loves to dance but instead of letting them take dance lessons, you insist that they take piano. They hate piano lessons! The money you spent sowing that seed will be wasted and your child will probably not flourish as a musician. However, take that same child and put them in the activity they love, give them lessons, help them with direction, and that child may dance before kings! In your evangelism, the same holds true. Jesus shared His lessons to reach into the hearts of many. He met people where they were and told His stories in a way that made them relevant to the situations they were in. For instance, if He was talking to that child that loved to dance, He might use that information to drive His lesson home. It's important that we do the same thing when we're telling others about Him. Use something they know about to help them understand the message of Jesus so that it gets buried deep in their heart.


"Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." Matthew 13:51-52