Saturday, December 22, 2018

December 22

My daughter and I spent all day yesterday doing some last minute shopping for a family member. Even though we found some great gifts, with it being only a few days before Christmas, the merchandise was somewhat picked over. Waiting to the last minute is never a good idea, whether talking about Christmas gifts or Jesus. Some may think they have all the time in the world, but that may not be true. Consider the victim of a fatal car crash, they didn’t know it would be their last drive. Anything can happen to cut your life short. Even though you may feel as though you are free to do as you please, life without Jesus is limiting. Once you become a Christ follower, you will realize that what you thought were strenuous rules, actually set you free, and provide you the ability to live a fuller life. Don’t wait until the last minute to accept Jesus as your Savior, you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.


Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:13-14

Friday, December 21, 2018

December 21

We’ve had a lot of wind and rain in our area over the last several days. The home I live in is situated under many large oak trees. At four thirty this morning, we were awakened by a loud sound, like a large limb had fallen on our house. As I walked outside on the porch to check it out, an acorn fell and hit the metal of the screened enclosure with a large bang! I didn’t see where a limb had fallen, it was probably just a twig. The same thing can happen in our mind. What we perceive to be a big deal, may be insignificant to others. Similar to the acorn hitting the metal on the screened enclosure making a loud sound. If you allow a small seed to be planted in your mind, it can grow out of control and cause you to feel anxious, fearful, rejected, or hurt. You can’t help how you feel, but you can make sure it’s the truth, and not just an acorn or twig.


And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? Mark 8:17-18

Thursday, December 20, 2018

December 20

It all comes down to this one day, this amazing once-a-year celebration. We are happy, and the atmosphere is festive with sparkling decorations, food not served during the rest of the year is prepared, and the best of what we have is brought out to be used. It’s a birthday party fit for a King! Who are we kidding? Though many of us are truly celebrating the birth of our King, most are just celebrating to celebrate! I wish this season was all about Jesus, but it’s not. I wish our lives were all about Jesus, but they’re not. The bright side of this is, it’s called “Christmas!” You can’t deny it when Christ is in the name. Do your best, while you can, to bring up Jesus in every conversation about Christmas. It might be the only time you get to talk about Him to the unsaved. God gave you this tool, so use it.


For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

December 19

I know most people are not fans of fruitcake, but I happen to be one who loves it. Before she passed, my grandmother would spend a good portion of the holiday season baking these tasty delights. If I was honored to receive one of them, I would have a piece for breakfast every day until it was gone. Last night, I saw a picture of one, so I slowed down to read the caption. My friend had made it and said that the first person to send her their address would get it. She had written it several minutes before I saw it, so surely it was already gone. Much to my surprise, I got a reply that the cake was going to be mine! I was thrilled! After the day I had, it was just what I needed to bring me cheer. Today, be that person to show kindness. You never know what spreading a little joy could do for someone.


Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 1 Peter 4:8-10

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

December 18

Many of us have battles that are fought just to make it to another day. It’s important, when we are in that season, to rely on the strength of the All Mighty through the power of the Holy Spirit. When in the throes of war be sure to use the most powerful weapon you have, prayer! When facing adversity, my initial reaction is to hide myself in the shadows, and move as far away from the conflict as I can, but there are times when we must face the evil head on. Remember, this is not your battle, it belongs to the Lord! Don’t try to handle this problem on your own. Cry out to Him in your distress. He hears you and will rally around you as you prepare for the fight. I’m fighting a battle today, but I am armed and ready! I am a servant of the Lord, and I shall not be devoured, because the Almighty goes before me, is my rear guard, and the One I can count on to vindicate me. Please pray for me today!


If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you... no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:15 & 17

Monday, December 17, 2018

December 18

Even though it’s a nice thought, nowhere in the Bible does it say that when someone dies, they become an angel. An angel is a different kind of being than we are. Babies don’t become angels nor do adults. Now you're not wrong when you say an angel is watching over you, because Jesus says that the children’s angels see the face of the Father. The Bible also says that He will command His angels concerning you. Again, humans and angels are different kinds of beings, both created by the Lord, each for a different type of service to Him. They are real! I have had a couple of encounters I feel almost positive that they were angels in human form. One time they came to give me comfort for a medical test that I was fretting over, and another time was to give me direction so I didn’t have to walk a long way on my broken leg. Each time they disappeared as quickly as they appeared. When someone tells you their love one is now an angel in Heaven, it’s just for their own comfort, but it’s not Biblical.


"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."  Psalms 91:11

Sunday, December 16, 2018

December 16

We spent a little bit of time on Little Gasparilla Island for a quick weekend getaway. Yesterday, I decided to take my paddle board out to an island off the southern tip to look for shells. I found more shells than I wanted to pick up! As I approached the island, I saw my first shell sitting in about a foot of water, it’s a little chilly, at least by Florida’s standards; I got excited and quickly tried to stop my board, but it kept propelling forward. So, I stepped off, and as I did, I realized the ground was soft and I sank up to my ankles; I lost my balance, and fell into the cold water! I wasn’t in any kind of danger, but if I had been, God would have heard my cry. We have times where we encounter obstacles, and need God’s help. When we cry out, He inclines His ear to us! He moves closer! Always remember that He is listening, and ready to pick you up out of the pit of destruction.


I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Psalms 40:1-2