Saturday, January 20, 2018

January 20

The birds are exceptionally happy and chirping their little hearts out. It’s a quiet morning and the day is getting off to a slow start which is just the way I like it. As empty nesters, we don’t have children up before the dawn ready to watch cartoons and eat cereal in front of the television. I’m not even sure if kids do that anymore. Our thought process changes with age; the children that once kept us on the go have all settled down to make a life of their own. Now we do things to please ourselves without having to adhere to someone else’s schedule. Life is not better, just different. We must learn to embrace every stage that we pass through, enjoy things now and not postpone our happiness to a future date that we are not promised. We work hard to create the life we desire, but if we don’t live it and enjoy the moments, it’s just a waste of precious time. Seize the day!


And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15

Friday, January 19, 2018

January 19

Why do we as a church worry about hurting someone’s feelings over their choice of sin? I know we want to appeal to a broader audience, but at what cost? If people are coming to your church, they are looking for a way out. There’s no need to candy coat the truth. In their heart, they know there is a better way and are looking for what’s missing to fill that empty spot in their spirit. That’s how they got where they are; looking for a fix in the wrong place. In todays society we try to make it seem like life is all rainbows and butterflies, but that’s far from the truth. If you're seeing those types of things, you’ve probably been exposed to the latest hallucinogenic drug! The church is the right place, with the right tools to replace pain with something better or someone better! Jesus came to bind up wounds, heal the broken hearted, and set the captives free. We can tell them the truth about that!


"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, Luke 4:18

Thursday, January 18, 2018

January 18

There are mornings when I sit down to write and I haven’t got a story to tell. Imagine that, my life boring! That’s when I tell God “I’ve got nothing!” I immediately go to His word. Just because I don’t hear His voice a certain way, doesn’t mean He’s not speaking to me. Sometimes you have to get into the Bible to actually hear what He is saying to you. Your thoughts are not His thoughts, so there’s no guessing! Even when you think you’re hearing His voice, you must verify what you think He’s saying; it must match His word. The word of God is full of life and He will speak into you and give you hope, fill you with His love, and confirm what you thought you heard from Him. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, is an important part of the armor that will help you in your defense against the ways of the enemy; make sure you keep it sharp!


so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

January 17

Have you given everything up for Jesus? If you’re like me, you think you have. I’m still learning this, but He is very patient in His training. I have been going to a new church plant for almost a year. It’s not the church that I chose, it’s not in the town that I chose, it does not look like your typical church, the people in it are not “church” people. Even though I love the people, I’ve been reluctant to get involved. God gave me an assignment for that church and I’ve neglected to fulfill it. Yesterday, I had a light bulb moment where everything became very clear. For the entire time I’ve been going to this church, I’ve only spent a few nights on my favorite island. I never gave up my time at the beach for Jesus, but He took it from me because of my disobedience! This year, I will voluntarily give it up. I’ll still go if He lets me, but I will plan my time there around my obligation to the church. Lesson learned!


Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

January 16

During my escapade into the swamp I lost all sense of fear, and why would I fear, I was meeting with Jesus! Even when I came upon an alligator slide, I did not worry. It’s cold out and they are sluggish this time of year. Now if I didn’t know with whom I was walking, I may have concerned myself with snakes, boars, and other wild creatures, and believe me they are out there! I think that even the park rangers may have been dealing with the boars because, when I was coming out, I ran across some traps for them. My point is that whether you are in the wilderness or on a city street, you have no need to fear when you’re walking with the Lord. Remember when Peter denied Jesus?  It was out of fear. When he was with Jesus, he was quite brave, even brave enough to pull out a sword against those who came to seize Jesus. Be brave my friends! Jesus is always with those who trust in Him.


And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Monday, January 15, 2018

January 15

Many have never known love. From the moment they were born, they faced rejection from those who were assigned to care and nurture them. As they get older and without knowing it, they begin looking for love in people that reflect their pain. In their minds, their value and worth is nothing. The vicious cycle continues until they completely lose sight of the truth. Do you know someone like this? You will recognize them because they’ve been through a string of broken relationships and may possibly rely on drugs or alcohol to get them through their day. They need you to tell them how loved they really are and to share with them God’s love. Be aware that they may be hardened and may reject the things you tell them, but don’t worry about that, you are only responsible for a portion. He will continue to chase after them and maybe one day they will believe.


In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

Sunday, January 14, 2018

January 14

A group of ladies from my church, who are living life to the fullest, got together to meet with God in a local park. We met first for direction and prayer and then we set out on a quest to enjoy the presence of the Father. He gave me a picture of where He wanted me to meet Him, so I began looking for that spot. Though I wasn’t surprised, it was in the swamp! That’s when the fun began! He decided to lavish me with gifts for our time together. There they were, as soon as I found my spot, Apple snail shells! They were everywhere! I didn’t have to search for them, I just had to pick them up. He gave me so much more than that, but what a great start! I set aside time for the Father and He made the most of our time together. He wants to speak sweetly to us and make us feel like we are His favorite. Are you there yet? Do you feel like you’re His favorite? I do.


The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17