November 4

Most of 1990 I was pregnant with a baby boy. Up until the day he was born, I had no idea that I could love another human to the depth that I love him. He’s now a grown man and that love has never faded, not even for a second. I equate my love for him to that of the love Jesus has for us. At no point in my life have I changed my mind about sacrificing myself for him, so I can see why Jesus submitted to being sacrificed for us. He did whatever He could to save His beloveds from a future of torment. As my son's future begins to unfold, and he begins to lay everything down for Jesus, all I can do is pray hard for God to use him in a way that He might be glorified through him. Don’t worry about your children, God loves them more than we do. He loves them enough to sacrifice His own Son for them and for us, which is something I could never do. That’s amazing love!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17

November 3

Where does your joy come from? I find joy in the simple things that God has given us, like watching the birds and squirrels as they move through the trees, the smell of fresh cut grass, and the sparkle of the water as the stars dance across the sky. I also find joy in knowing that my eternity is secure in Jesus. Life can be hard, and at times, causing us to want to give up, but we have a commitment to keep and must keep going for the sake of our Savior. It was many years between King David’s anointing as a boy and his coronation. Those years were spent preserving his life as he ran from his enemies. God never let him be overtaken by the one who wanted to kill him, but strengthened him for the mission to be accomplished. David’s perseverance is something to be commended and is an example for us to follow as we try to make it through this life. Find your strength in God alone!

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt. Psalms 71:23-24

November 2

Have you ever thought about why the disciples didn’t believe Mary Magdalene when she brought the good news of Jesus resurrection? I wonder if it’s because she had been possessed by demons at one time and had a credibility issue. I’ve watched a young drug addict come out of recovery full of the excitement, his hopes were dashed when he had a relapse and had to go back into treatment. This takes us back to the parable of the unclean spirit where the house was swept clean, but the spirits found no place to go, so they came back with some of their friends to take possession of it again. The difference between this young man and Mary is that her faith would have her completely immersed in Jesus with no chance that her home was found empty. The disciples should have believed her. I guess they just needed to see Him for themselves.

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation." Matthew 12:43-45

November 1

Oh, the joys of living in an old house! It was three o’clock in the morning and we were enjoying our sleep except that it had gotten a little chilly. My husband got up and turned on the central heat, which during the night before, seemed to be on its last leg; it had made some weird knocking sound. A little later, we woke up to the smell of smoke, like burnt toast! It seemed to be more than just dusty coils. The house has two units, this one was specific to our bedroom. As a precaution, I moved to the living room on the opposite end of the house. If we had smoke detectors, I’m sure they would have been triggered! Whatever it was, didn’t burn the house down. My question to you is, do you stay in a burning house or do you get out? This world is on fire, but right now we only smell the smoke. If you haven’t secured your eternity with Jesus, it might be time to take out some insurance.

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

October 31

Do you ever want things to change so badly that you feel it’s your only hope for a peaceful life? I know there are those who live in turmoil every day, who are hopeless to the point of giving up, and the light at the end of the tunnel seems dim or non existent. I have good news for you; this is only a season. Whatever has you down, God can use it for His good. I realize that some things are ongoing and you feel like you’re being held captive in your misery like a makeshift prison, but God can still use it, and it’s still just a season. Use this time to fill up on God’s word, make it your habit to immerse yourself in Him and strengthen your communication and prayers. The Holy Spirit is a mighty counselor and will minister to you. Remember Joseph and how powerful he became. God strengthened him and trained him during his captivity. God will do the same for you if you let Him!

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. Genesis 41:14

October 30

This is the time of year things start cooling off here in Florida, if we’re lucky! But then, we complain about being cold. Can you blame us? We go from ninety five degrees down to forty five, then back to ninety five  in one swoop; our blood never has time to adjust. This is the one time when lukewarmness might be good. However, there is a time when lukewarmness is unacceptable and it has to do with our commitment to Jesus. You can’t speak from both sides of your mouth. You either love Him wholeheartedly or not at all. If you try to stay neutral, ride the middle of the road, that’s not commitment and He will have nothing to do with you! As a matter of fact, the Bible says that He will spew you out of His mouth. There are no gray areas, no politically correct position concerning Him. Do not deceive yourself into believing you can love God and love the world at the same time. 

"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelations 3:15-16

October 29

When the kids were young, they were free spirited and untamed. There were four of them and together the world was theirs to conquer! It wasn’t that often, but occasionally they would get into trouble; when they did, we did not spare the rod. As much as it hurts us to discipline our children, it is absolutely necessary! Children that aren’t corrected, learn at a very early age that they can rule over their parents, thus the parents become a slave to them rather than them being submissive. If we don’t teach them to submit to our authority, how will they ever learn to submit to God? As adults, our submission to childhood chastisement should mirror our obedience to God. As children of God, we can expect His correction; it’s part of our training so that we might share in His holiness. Discipline is painful for a moment, but it will produce the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. Hebrews 12:9-10