Saturday, February 23, 2019

February 24

As I scrolled through my newsfeed last night, I came across a picture with the depiction of Jesus that said “Love your enemies, but I will send mine to hell!” I’m sure that many who come to refute the Christian faith will bring this argument to the forefront to cause weak Christians to falter. We are each given plenty of opportunity to choose whom we will serve. We were created to have continued fellowship with our Heavenly 
Father, and Hell is that eternal separation from Him. When someone chooses to follow the wiles of the devil instead of our loving Jesus, they made their decision for their eternal home, why should we have to reside with them forever? God is just. Salvation and forgiveness is a gift to all, but we have the responsibility to scoop it up before the clock stops ticking. Don’t be drawn away by twisted words. Trust in God’s word, and stay strong when facing opposition from the devil and his minions.


Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Friday, February 22, 2019

February 22

I became weepy realizing the amazing love Jesus has for us. Not only was His love extraordinary because of His willingness to die for us, which by itself was enough, but the fine detail put into every moment leading up to it. I commissioned my daughter to recreate a painting that I’m over the moon about, and she did an excellent job. I love the artist that created it, but she didn’t have prints for sale in the size that I wanted. The painting is called “The Four” and it depicts the four women mentioned in Jesus earthly lineage. You would think that the women in His ancestry would be of impeccable reputations, and from clean Jewish families, but that’s not the case, most were not even Jewish! Tamar posed as a prostitute to get Judah to sleep with her. Rahab was the prostitute that helped the spies scope out Jericho, Ruth had a good reputation, but met Boaz on the threshing room floor, to which he said “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” Then there was Bathsheba, whom King David found attractive after seeing her bathe, slept with her, got her pregnant, and then had her husband killed to cover it up! This is a good reminder that you are not tainted and that Jesus is not ashamed of you. It’s time to stop beating yourself up!


let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22

Thursday, February 21, 2019

February 21

A trip to the veterinarian is a yearly event unless our pets are sick. It’s something that I dread, only because one of my dogs gets very ill, and she is tender at the site of the injections. I have them vaccinated because I don’t want them to pick up any diseases from other animals. As a precaution, they have started giving the injection in the leg rather than the neck, because tumors can occur at the injection site, and it saves their life by only having to cut off a leg! Isn’t that interesting? So the injections you are giving my pet causes tumors? What the heck! Why is there a downside to a precautionary measure? Lose a leg or lose a life. We are also given the same kind of option in Jesus. We can lose our life to save it or we can go on living, and die forever. Seems crazy, but not when you’re talking about eternity. We must lay down the life of sin that we once embraced, and begin living a righteous life in Jesus as if we are already eternal beings. We must lay down our life to save it.


For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:35-36

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

February 20

This is a question that I’ve asked myself, so now I’ll ask you; what motivates you for Jesus? Sometimes I think we get caught up in what it will do for us, rather than what it will do for the kingdom and the lost. If your source of income is ministry related, would you do it for free if you didn’t have to rely on the income? Some do ministry because they like recognition. Would you still work for Jesus if you got no recognition at all? A couple of examples; one being those who video and document their giving to the homeless, another may be someone who’s a part of the praise team, but only wants the key parts. These are “self” motivated, not God motivated. If your drive to do good is not spurred on by the love for others, and a sincere love for Jesus, be careful! The Almighty will humble you and cut off any useless branch that He feels needs pruning. We all have to be pruned, but it’s better for you to handle it before He does!


But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor....  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:4 & 8

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

February 19

These are the characteristics of a person in whom the Holy Spirit resides, - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. These are the characteristics of a person in whom the Holy Spirit doesn’t reside, - sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. Now occasionally, there will be flair ups of sin because we are still fleshly beings, however, for the most part, we should exhibit the characteristics of Jesus. You should be quite concerned with your salvation if you lean more toward the second list. If this is the case for you, pray again for forgiveness, commit your life to Jesus, turn away from sin, and turn your life around. It may be challenging, but if you are truly committed to Jesus, it will be possible for you to change because of the Holy Spirit.


And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25

Monday, February 18, 2019

February 18

I finally got my fire started this morning, it took me a couple of tries, but now I can watch the flames and get lost in them as they dance around the fire pit. It’s a beautiful spring like morning. It’s not cold or hot, it’s the perfect weather. The birds are singing and milling around for their breakfast, and I feel blessed. I haven’t had contact with any humans yet, so my emotions are pretty steady. I know that most people can’t always go outside and sit for a couple of hours before their day begins, but try to make it a point to get alone with God, and maybe enjoy His creation for a bit. Doing this brings me peace, and settles my soul. You may not know this, but I live right in the middle of a bustling town. The mall is less than three miles from my house, and our neighborhood is just off a major thoroughfare. If I can find peace in the midst of chaos, I’m sure you can too, it’s a matter of priority. Make God your priority, and even though the rest of your day may be filled with uncertainty, at least you spent time with the one that matters most.


But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Sunday, February 17, 2019

February 17

As our Women of Freedom met to debrief after our time in the woods with Jesus, I began watching this squirrel. I was still paying attention, but what he was doing had me fascinated. He went out on a limb about the size of a tiny twig. The branch began to sag because its weight was more than it could bear. There was something delicious that he couldn’t resist, so he was willing to risk falling for that tasty morsel.

There are people in China who do the same thing, just to get a taste of God’s word. They risk their freedom and their lives in pursuit of Jesus. They know what a treasure it is, and dangle from a limb, just like the squirrel, to get a taste. What have you risked in your quest for Jesus? This is something you may need to consider because it was just recently said by one of our congress members, that if they should come to power, they could use a “national emergency” concerning guns. If this happens, the Bible could follow. Take advantage of your freedom while you have it.


“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26-27