Saturday, August 19, 2017

August 19

My mom and dad's home was hit by a tornado. They heard this storm coming through, and the roar of wind, it caused them to fear so they sought safety in the hallway. They were unharmed, but most of the roof was ripped off and water poured into their home. My friend Joe has a canoe business and was clearing out brush in the river so his clients could have a clear path. He had an angry alligator that kept growling at him only feet away. He escaped unscathed. We've all had close calls, but we're still here. Why did He choose to keep us alive when others are called home? God has a purpose for each and every one of us. The enemy may make it difficult, but we are living in his kingdom and our allegiance is not with him, it's with God. Our lives will not be easy because of that, but we are safe for eternity, and that's much longer than our short lives here on this earth. Count your blessing of an eternity spent with Jesus as your most precious.


Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." 1 Corinthians 15:30-32

Friday, August 18, 2017

August 18

Do you trust God with all your circumstances? I had a dream that I was being chased by an enormous alligator. He had me backed up against a fence with barbed wire across the top. My only way to get away from him was to climb over. It was either risk getting a few scratches or get eaten alive! I chose the barbs and safely got away; then I ran and hid in a room. This dream reminded me that there is safety from those who are attacking you. I had to trust that the fence was going to hold back the giant gator, and though it continued to come after me, I found safety. Believe me, after a dream like that, you pray hard! I have to trust that my prayer will set the angels in action to help fend off an attack, and to not allow fear to grip me. Whether this dream was a warning of the enemy's pursuit or a scare tactic, it's my job to humble myself and pray for protection. The lesson for you in this is to be vigilant and look for the warning signs, then pray hard!


You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. Psalms 91:5-7

Thursday, August 17, 2017

August 17

Do you notice the signs that you're being tested? Anger or depression sets in, people begin throwing darts at you, circumstances change, people are lax in their jobs, and so on. It's like there is some kind of flare up around you and you wonder what in the world is going on! Being in the midst of it, you sometimes forget how you've prayed; certain types of prayer can cause havoc in the heavens and can stir the enemy into action. You can see how he uses people to bring on discouragement. Here is my advice: don't let this get to you, stand strong in the Lord, He's got your back! He's also watching your reaction to see if you sin in the wake of your trial. Also, be very careful, you never want to be a part of a chain reaction that may cause trouble in the hearts of others; they may be dealing with their own trial. Look for weaknesses in your prayer. When you prayed for protection, did you remember to include yourself? Pray through the rough patches, and you will prevail!

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

August 16

As rotten as we are, God loves us. We disappoint Him every day. Yet despite our iniquities, He continues to profess His love for us. We are holy because we are redeemed. He loves us passionately and longs for a relationship with us. He pursues and we turn and run, rather than be lavished by Him. What is wrong with us? Our loving God only wants us to love Him back, honor Him, and praise Him. Despite His love, we continue to chase after and give our hearts to other gods. He created everything including those other gods. Why would we worship anything but the original. Many believe that they are self made and that God didn't have anything to do with it. They have fooled themselves into believing that they don't need God or that He doesn't exist. These people are foolish! It's time that we connect with the Holy Spirit and listen to His counsel on these matters. Engage with Him to help counter all excuses made for self worship. 


The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:9-10

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

August 15

This time of year is the worst for mosquitos! It's one thing to deal with them outside, but you expect that when you come inside you will be safe from them. As you sit quietly, you hear one buzzing around, flying by your face and annoying you. You swat at it, but you can't see it! Then it gets quiet, did it fly away or has that little blood sucker stopped to get a drink? You'll know later when you find an itchy bump somewhere on your body. The evil of this world is the same way! Sometimes you know them because it's obvious; then there are other times you don't know until you're suffering the consequences. That's why it's important to be educated in all the forms that evil comes in, so it doesn't suck the life out of you while you're unaware. I'm not saying you should focus on evil, but the more you focus on God the more aware you are of how evil this world is. There are many false prophets and teachers out there; know the Word and you'll know the difference!

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

Monday, August 14, 2017

August 14

Adoption is forever, and is not to be taken lightly. Many years ago, I worked in a crisis pregnancy center. Most of the women who came there just needed a little boost because food stamps won't cover diapers. Then there were those who felt they were in crisis and that their situation was impossible for having a child. That's when they were encouraged to place their baby for adoption. Adoption allows those who cannot have children the opportunity to love and care for a human, raising them as their own and teaching them the customs of their family. Too often we don't respect our adoption into the family of God. We are being raised into the likeness of the one who adopted us. We are chosen and are no longer in the family of the world. A child who is adopted does not go between the family who placed them for adoption and the adoptive family, they are forever in the family who adopted them. We must stop running back to the family of the world, we no longer belong to it.


In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:5

Sunday, August 13, 2017

August 13

Gone are the times where you can have peaceful and uncomplicated days. It's so hard to unplug from the world because so much of our lives are wrapped up in our instruments of technology. Sometimes God calls us out, away from the madness to be enveloped in quiet, peaceful surroundings, so we can hear only His voice. He says to us, 'leave that instrument on the counter, come away with me so we can be alone; I've got something to tell you.' When you set aside time for only Him, He will begin to reveal to you things you never knew about Him. He will open your eyes to the truth of how much He loves you. Start off with prayer and ask Him to release your mind from the chains that have you bound, and get those things off your chest first. Then quiet yourself and begin to listen. Do this without a plan of your own, other than the plan of quality time with the Father. He will share His love for you in ways you've never imagined.


And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31