Saturday, April 21, 2018

April 21

Being on a barrier island with no bridge can be challenging when you have health issues. We have a neighbor that just found out that he has congestive heart failure. He and his wife are from a northern state and because of his health concern, they are not able to fly back home. An issue came up and gave cause for concern, so his wife took him to the hospital while our ferry was still running and we picked them up in our boat later that night after the hospital said they weren’t going to keep him. It was challenging for them to get in and out of the boat because as you get older, things just don’t work like they used to. When you're younger, you think that an island in Florida would be the ideal place to retire, but you don’t consider the deterioration of your body. Our bodies are only good for so long, however, our soul is meant to live forever. We should be more concerned with our ultimate retirement than we are. Don’t wait until you’re old to start living for Jesus. Most people that come to know Him later in life regret waiting so long and feel that they have wasted too many years in unbelief. If you haven’t turned your life over to Jesus and accepted His free gift of eternal life with Him, it’s time! All you have to do is trust Him and believe that He is who He says He is.


"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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:16-18

Friday, April 20, 2018

April 20

At every turn, the enemy is looking for a way to derail your plans to do the will of God. Until I started going to my current church, I had never had the enemy come after me so relentlessly. I’ve been a part of other ministries, and saw his involvement and experienced his attacks, but never to the degree that I’m having to deal with right now. Every step I take in the direction God has laid before me, he is there to try and derail my plans. They are not just my plans though, they’re the plans God has. Anything he can do to discourage God’s children from getting the best He has to offer, he will do. Right now his tactic is to instill fear! It would be so easy to walk away and stop heading in the direction of God’s plan; the enemy would probably leave me and the other soldiers alone and let us live in peace. Not today Satan! These warriors will not give up the fight! Those who are for us are more than those who are against us! I’m ready, and the plunder will be worth it all!


When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalms 56:3-4

Thursday, April 19, 2018

April 19

After nearly a year of missing the sunrise over the water, I’m enjoying its beauty from the comfort of the couch once again. I’ve been on the island intermittently throughout, but there’s nothing like spending a few consecutive days romping around in paradise. If you know me at all, you know that I believe that all things work out for the good, even being removed from a place you love for a time. God knew when He brought me back, my appreciation for where He placed me would be over the moon. I’ve not stopped thanking Him since I got here and I haven’t even been on the beach yet! It’s been a long year of many changes, but our God remains the same. We all go through times of stress and discomfort, but knowing that there is a big ball of fire on the horizon every morning and a fresh new start, gives us hope that today will be different. Count your blessings and give thanks to our mighty creator for all He does.


But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:21-25

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

April 18

Today, I did something that I never do. Instead of praying and going straight into the Word, I allowed myself to get sidetracked by looking at my e-mail and Facebook. So, when it came time to write this devotional, my busy mind was too preoccupied to focus. Therefore, you are getting a lesson from my most recent experience. This is why the Holy Spirit encourages me to keep my mind on Jesus, set my priorities on heavenly things before getting my day started. I know that most of you don’t write a daily devotional, but it takes devotion and commitment to give God your first and best. I know He likes to spend time with me and according to the Bible, He likes to spend time with you too! The morning is my best, but yours may be the evening, whatever time that is for you, just make sure you devote some time in the Word and in prayer. It’s the least we can do for all He’s done for us. 


Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

April 17

Do you ever see the pain in someone’s face and feel helpless? Depression and heartbreak can overtake a body and the results spill out upon their face. What do you do? I have a friend who feels the pain of others. Though it may not seem like a gift, it is. Someone else’s hurt will overwhelm her and cause a disturbance within her. However, God also gave her the gift of healing, so at her touch, the pain that had once overtaken them will immediately disappear. It takes every bit of energy she has; similar to when the woman with the issue of blood touched the cloak of Jesus and power left Him. This same thing happens to her! I’ve never met anyone like her before. She didn’t even know that she had this gift until she took a gifts survey. From that point on, God made that gift come alive within her. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? If you don’t, you need to find out and start walking in them so you can also help others when they need it.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Monday, April 16, 2018

April 16

As I neared the completion of my new garden, and was digging one of the last few holes, I hit a snag. The soil was soft, except where I ran into debris and roots, so the digging was pretty easy. I was being so careful too. Then suddenly I hit a gusher! I had barely nicked the surface of an irrigation pipe and it blew! I was drenched in water. Thankfully, I knew where the shut off valve was and I quickly stopped it. Isn’t that just like God? You’re just going along, minding your own business, doing the labor God called you to do, then suddenly there’s an outpouring of the Holy Spirit! Then to top it off, the guy I called to make the repair says “this looks like the Garden of Eden!” Well, he’s never seen the Garden of Eden, but I think that was a huge compliment, and a Biblical comparison at that! The point is for you to keep doing what you’re doing. Live your life in the manner that is pleasing to God, and keep telling others about Jesus. Eventually you will see the fruit of your labor.


so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10

Sunday, April 15, 2018

April 15

Do you believe that God is who He says He is? If so, why do you fret or fear? Never be ignorant of the enemy's devices, but your primary focus should be on Jesus. A local pastor once said that when you focus your mind on certain things, your brain creates a path. She went into a lot of detail, but that’s the sum of it. Let’s say I focus on everything bad that happens, eventually I will create a path of negativity. Instead of seeing the good in life, I will find something wrong with every situation. On the other hand, what if I was determined to see the positive and begin looking at situations through the eyes of Jesus? You can believe that my brain would create a positive path and when something unexpected happens, my mind would head down the path of Jesus. Instead of worrying yourself over what scheme the devil has planned for you, be determined to focus on God’s plan. It’s all about holding every thought captive and measuring it against God’s Word. Change your mind, begin today!


We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5