Saturday, September 9, 2017

September 9

Who do you call when there's no one to call; when the storm rages and everyone has fear? There is only one who has the power to calm the storm, stop the wind and hold back the rain. If you wait to ask for His help during a time of crisis, how do you know He hears you? If you fail to notice His intervention in your life during the good times, what makes you think He's listening now? Do you offer Him praise when things are good, or tell Him how thankful you are for your blessings? Maybe you're being tested to see if you really believe that He's in control. Do you have peace knowing that whatever happens is a part of His plan? I can assure you that He does hear you, but your fear is lack of faith. Fear of the Lord is healthy, fear of anything else is not! Having concern is prudent as long as it's a part of the wisdom He has given you. Don't allow fear to overtake you, it is not of the Lord.


He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?" Luke 8:25

Friday, September 8, 2017

September 8

Are you ready for the storm? I've been watching the reactions of the people around me who like me, are getting ready to face an enormous storm, and it's not good. I'm a little bit of a prepper and have been ready for this storm for a long time; my cupboards are full of emergency supplies. I've seen people panicking over getting water and food, and the store shelves are empty! Our faucets are still pumping out water, and I doubt we will starve if we miss a couple of meals! It reminds me of how it might have been in the days of Noah, everyone waiting to the last minute when it was already too late. These are the same people who will see Jesus coming to collect His bride and rush to try to make things right with Him, at that point it may be too late. Don't wait until He's here to decide to accept His free gift! It's going to get crazy in this world without Him! He's the living water and the bread of life and you can't live without either!


And I say, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah. I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.".... But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Psalms 55:6-8 & 16

Thursday, September 7, 2017

September 7

Our little dog Rudy, is very vocal. When he wants to play, he whines and stares at you until you throw the ball. He knows what he wants and won't stop until he gets it. When he's hungry, he will pick up his bowl and drop it so it makes a noise, just to get our attention! We always give in to him because he doesn't stop. He's a spoiled little monster, but he's the cutest thing ever! I wonder if God looks at us the same way. I can just see Him looking at us saying "aw, look how cute they are!" We wouldn't be much fun if we didn't talk to Him, even if it's just to ask for frivolous things. We may not get what we ask for, but I'll bet He's amazed at our fervency. According to scripture, He wants us to ask. If our prayer agrees with scripture we should keep asking until we get an answer. If you want more of the Holy Spirit or wisdom, ask! You will start to see a difference in your reactions and your thinking. Wisdom takes time, but He will train you until you are very wise. If you want more of the Holy Spirit, He will teach you to tune in. We have a good, good Father, so ask!


And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

September 6

I don't know about you, but I'm in the boat with Jesus! When the storm raged and the swells on the sea began to rise, Jesus was resting. When he awakened, He reminded them of their lack of faith and then calmed the sea. Even though we worry and toil over what might happen next, Jesus is at peace within us. We must take a minute to tap into that peace. The storm on the horizon may be something like we've never seen, but our hope is not in the protection of this world. Even when "the war goddess, Irma" threatens to destroy us and our way of life, she cannot take the most precious thing we have, our salvation. Think about this: what do you really fear? Losing your life? That's in the hands of Jesus! Is it your lifestyle or your possessions? Your lifestyle and possessions can be replaced, but there's nothing that can take the place of Jesus, He is the only savior. If we should see our end, we will finally meet Jesus!

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18


Are you ready? If not, now may be a good time to turn your life over to the one who holds eternity in His hands. He is the perfect love that cast out all fear.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

September 5

There is a lot to be learned through the average things we see every day. For instance, when taking a stroll on the beach you see all sorts of seashells, some are common, some are extraordinary, but others are broken. The broken ones have probably been rolling around in the sea for a long time, crashing against rocks and the reefs, and have been pummeled in the surf over and over again. By the time it lands on the beach, it's been through the ringer! As an avid shell seeker, I only choose the perfect and unusual shells, however, I have a friend who chooses the broken ones and neatly fits them together to create beautiful topiaries. When I look at the church, I see broken seashells coming together to make a masterpiece, beautifully perfect in every way. We are by no means perfect within ourselves, but crowned with Jesus and covered by Him, we are the picture of perfection. Only through Jesus can our brokenness be seen as beautiful. 


to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

Monday, September 4, 2017

September 4

It's always nice to wake up and see the sun rising on the horizon. The animals have already been up for a while and foraging for their next meal. They begin singing their sweet song to let everyone know that they made it through the night and are happy about it. At every hour of the day there are birds singing for the Lord. As our birds go to sleep, others are just waking up to bring a joyful noise to Him. I wish I could wake up singing, but if takes a cup of coffee for me to become fully awake! Bring your praises before the Lord and let Him know how happy you are to be alive. Each step in a new day is another opportunity for you to show Him how much you love Him. It's funny how giving God what He deserves brings happiness to you too. He's a good Father worthy of every ounce of praise you have in your being. Don't forget, you owe Him everything, so give Him all you've got!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalms 100:4

Sunday, September 3, 2017

September 3

After many months, I finally get a long desired stay at the beach. That beautiful turquoise Gulf is calling my name. As we get situated in our boat, I notice that the water isn't very clear. I wasn't even thinking about it because it was the bay side and sometimes it's not as clear. We get to the island and after putting all my things away, I finally get to walk out to the beach. To my disappointment, the water was brown! Yuck! We are near where two different rivers pour into the gulf, and with all the rain we've had and the hurricane stirring up the water, it ends up an icky brown. Even then a bad day at the beach is better than a good day at work! In life, things don't always turn out as you've planned, but there is always a glimmer of hope on the horizon. As I begin my walk down the beach I notice that the shells have piled up. I sit down in a pile and begin collecting one beautiful specimen after another. A blessing within my disappointment. God is good! 


This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24