Saturday, January 27, 2018

January 27

There are deceivers among the children of God. They come dressed as saints, crafty, and full of moxie. Their message resembles biblical teaching, but is lacking any backing of the Holy Spirit, thus falls short of expectations. Instead of leaving the ministry after being found out, they come back, desiring more of the money that they once received. Unsuspecting believers are sold a bill of goods and asked to drink the cool aid so to speak. They think if they sprinkle some truth into their message that you will fall for it and steer you off the path that God has you on. In an auditorium full of people, surely there will be some who don’t know Jesus and my heart breaks for them. My heart also breaks for the speaker who has become the mouthpiece of the enemy. It’s important for you to stay tuned into the Holy Spirit and diligently study the Word of God so no one deceives you!


Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Friday, January 26, 2018

January 26

As a kid, I would play on the elementary school playground anytime I got a chance. The one thing that takes me back to that time is hearing the blue jay. When you’re a child, you don’t realize the turmoil other children might be going through in the one place that’s suppose to protect them, their home. It’s not until adulthood that people deconstruct their lives and try to put it back the way God intended. The call of the blue jay takes me back to good times, but others who have their memories triggered may be taken back to their pain. If that’s you, know that God didn’t intend for you to be hurt, but He does intend for you to break free of it through Jesus. You can speak to that rejection and tell it to go away in Jesus name, never to bother you again. There is power in the name of Jesus and it’s okay to invoke it! You don’t have to live with that pain anymore.


Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. john 14:13-14

Thursday, January 25, 2018

January 25

As I look out the window when I’m on my favorite barrier island, I notice the mangrove, the waves in the bay, and a distinct, but attractive tree with vibrant red berries. It’s so beautiful that the birds plant them everywhere! This tree thrives in Florida, however, its an invasive shrub that will take over an area and choke out the native plants. It’s called the Brazilian pepper. I’m sure whoever brought it here had good intentions, but unless there is a concerted effort to keep them under control, the mangrove will be taken over and its vital purpose of keeping erosion down, filtering our water, and providing a safe haven for growing fish and other wildlife, will be lost. Jesus is like our mangrove and the Brazilian pepper is like sin and hurt. We must be proactive in keeping sin and hurt to a minimum, and ask and give forgiveness daily. We need the mangrove to outnumber the Brazilian pepper in our lives!


Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

January 24

My paddle-board was happy to see me! It had been a while since our last adventure. The day was overcast, but the water was still and the tide was low. I skirted around the mangrove looking for signs of life and empty shells. I tell myself that I’m a big shell sheller, and that’s what I’ve become. I know where they harbor, which is the same place they die, so that’s where I go! This day was slow, I only found about six; I saw plenty more, but they were still occupied. I thought Irma would have pushed more toward the shore. Still, that’s more than my shelling buddies usually find in one outing. I’ve gotten a bit picky now, I leave the ones that aren’t in great condition. I can’t keep them all, so I clean them up and give them to my friends. What have I done to receive all this favor from God? Nothing. However, I never forget to thank Him and give Him all the glory. I know where my help comes from! 

A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

January 23

Sometimes the Father looks at you with a full heart and gives you a special gift. It’s not something that He gives all of His children, just something special for you. There is a place that gives me such joy; a place with salt, sand, swamp, and beautiful breezes. It’s a place unlike any other, and when I’m there, I feel grateful and ready for the blessing of His close presence. I leave all my worries right on the shore and the waves wash them into the sea, and I become a child again. Do you have a place like that? A place where you feel like you’ve been smiled upon by the Almighty? If you do, try to go there often. Pray for it! Our Father loves giving us gifts! Look what He did for us in Jesus! If He did that for us, the simple task of gifting us special time with Him, is a breeze! Don’t neglect to ask Him for that in your prayers! Pray for everything! He wants to hear from you and to give you good gifts!


If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

Monday, January 22, 2018

January 22

Looking at my yard on a beautiful springlike day, all I want to do is get out there and plant some new and clean up some old. After the cold snap we had, a few of my plants look a little weary. Being in central Florida, we can grow tropical plants, but because our temperatures can sometimes drop below freezing, it is recommended that we landscape with plants that are within our zone. Right now, most yards look as though they didn’t adhere to that general rule of thumb. On the other hand, my yard is loaded with tropical plants, but because it is also under the covering of some giant oak trees, they were barely touched. As Christians, we are like tropical plants planted in a cold environment, but because we are covered by the large canopy of a grand old oak, Jesus, we are not only able to survive in this atmosphere, but we are able to thrive.


But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield. Psalms 5:11-12

Sunday, January 21, 2018

January 21

My little dog Rudy loves to play with his ball. Sometimes it will roll under the furniture. When it does, he will cry and whine until someone gets it for him. I had gone out into the garage to throw away some trash and noticed that he wasn’t sitting in the chair waiting. I thought that he had gone upstairs to get in bed with my husband. Just as I got comfortable I began to hear him whine.  I let him whine for a minute and decided I would go upstairs to help him; I couldn’t find him. I looked everywhere! I finally heard him again; he was locked outside in the garage, he had followed me out and I didn’t notice. Some days are like that, aren’t they? You’re going along carefree, minding your own business when suddenly, someone shuts the door on you! You’ve been locked out and are no longer privy to what’s going on inside. Shake the dust off and move on! God has a better plan.


And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19