Saturday, February 24, 2018

February 24

There is scientific research that shows harboring resentment, bitterness, and anger, towards others is not only a mental disorder, but can cause physical illness that can affect metabolism, organ function, immune response, and cause disease. There is a cure for this and it’s called forgiveness. My grandmother was a hard person to love. She was harsh and judgmental, and wouldn’t hold back from telling you how she felt. Her children bore the brunt of her emotion and have suffered at her hand. My great grandmother lived to well over 100 years. You would think her descendants would live a good long life; maybe more of them would have if they were able to forgive easily and move on. Thankfully, my dad never let my grandmother get to him and seems pretty healthy. If you are harboring bitterness, work diligently to try and forgive, it could affect your health and may possibly shorten your life.


Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22

Friday, February 23, 2018

February 23

You are saved for a purpose! Those of us who appreciate our salvation are also anxious for nothing, but to please the Lord. Though we can’t do anything to earn it, it is our appreciation and thankfulness that drives us to feel like we owe Him something. We tend to get down on ourselves when we sense we aren’t doing enough. Do you think the enemy has a hand in making you feel that way? Maybe he’s whispering in your ear ‘your not good enough’ or ‘He couldn’t possibly use me.’ Those thoughts are far from the truth! Yes, we long to do more, but in God’s timing not our own. The best thing to do is be active in your waiting. Stay in communication with Him through prayer, continue learning about His goodness and attributes by studying the Word; then in His time, you will be given assignments. Be patient in your waiting and relish the opportunities you are given.


For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3

Thursday, February 22, 2018

February 22

Over the course of the few years that I have been posting to the followers of Christ, I’ve noticed that the posts, where I include life lessons of things I’ve learned through my everyday comings and goings, are the most “liked” and commented on. The Bible is a great teaching tool, but it is more than 2000 years old, and times have changed. This is why it’s important that you share your testimony, something fresh for today’s times. Jesus used what was around Him to teach His disciples and used the ancient manuscripts as a reference point to drive home His message. You don’t have to be a Bible thumping, scripture breathing robot, to be heard, in fact, many ears turn off as soon as they hear Bible lingo. However, to hearts that are ready to receive, God’s written words will not return void and are active and living. People need to hear how Jesus has helped you, then share what God’s Word says about it.


For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

February 21

As I feed on the Word of God, I realize that I’m not given all this information just to broaden my mind, but to go out and teach what I’ve learned. The twelve disciples sat at the feet of Jesus, then He sent them out, not to appear as wealthy, overdressed men, but as common men blending in. It was still early in His ministry and they were still learning, however He sent them out to teach what they knew. They didn’t spend years studying, Jesus wanted them to make a difference now, with what they knew. Their message was repentance; Jesus had given them the ability to drive out unclean spirits and heal the sick which gave them credibility. They also had a partner to back them up; that kept them from appearing as a radical like you might see standing in front of the courthouse in Tampa on any given day, love his message, just not his delivery. So, take what you know, and make a difference now.


And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. Mark 6:7-9

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

February 20

I have a passion to see the followers of Christ set free. Many years ago God showed me the moment that my heart was pierced by rejection and thus set me on a path to seek acceptance. The lie was so insignificant and yet it rocked me to my core. The enemy had a planned to take me out long before I had ever accepted Jesus. I spent the majority of my life trying to overcome that lie. My healing began with me asking God a simple question: What is the lie that I believe about myself and where did it begin? The answer came to my mind before I even got the question out. As soon as I identified where it began, I went back through my life, I forgave and sought forgiveness for the sins that came from it. The chain was broken and I was set free. Jesus came to give us life and that it may be abundant. Are you living an abundant life? If not, ask God that simple question and start living!


The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Monday, February 19, 2018

February 19

This might sound silly, but I’m going to tell you anyway. Some days I have a hard time concentrating; me being sleepy, the dog, or some other distraction. Rudy, my dog, likes to throw his bone in the air and then tackle it, but this day, for some reason, every time he threw it, it would go under the furniture. After doing that about three times, I had had enough! Then he tossed it again and it went under my chair. That was it! I wasn’t going to get it for him again! Let me preface this by saying that if I don’t get it for him, he will whine and carry on like a crybaby, so there is no ignoring him if I want any peace. So, I prayed and said “Lord, he won’t listen to me, but he will listen to you, could you please make him lay down and go to sleep?” I was floored when he immediately jumped up on the couch beside me, curled up and went to sleep! Why would I doubt? All things are possible to those who believe!


And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23

Sunday, February 18, 2018

February 18

I have a friend whose husband is in ministry and has been for many years. Recently, he was offered a job as an executive pastor. As soon as he said yes, the enemy began a relentless attack on his family. You know God has a huge plan when the devil will try anything to dissuade you from pursuing that call. The attacks are more than distractions, they cause heartbreak and physical pain. I’ve watched them and their reaction, and can just see the Father smiling at their determination and unwavering stand for Him. As we seek to do the will of the Father, stand strong in your pursuit! Though it might feel like you’re going through the gauntlet, don’t allow the hard hits to get you down or take you out of the race. The reward will be great and salvations are sure. Like the seed planted in good soil, you will grow strong with roots going deep and produce a good crop.


But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." Mark 4:20