Saturday, May 4, 2019

May 4

The sprinklers came on last night and everything is soppy wet. I saw one of my neighbors walking her dog in rubber boots, I think I may need to put mine near the door for such occasions. We often wonder why the rich person gets richer, or why the atheists seems happy. When it rains, everything gets watered, good or bad. However, not everyone with a smile is happy, and not everyone who appears to be rich has money. I’ve seen people who were so concerned with their public appearance that they spent all of their money on their vehicle, clothing, and jewels, then returned home to a shack. There are people who put on a front to try and impress other people, so remember, Facebook pictures don’t tell the whole story, what lies underneath may be sorrow and sadness. Learn to enjoy what you have, we need only impress God, and He won’t be impressed, because He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and everything in between!


so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45

Friday, May 3, 2019

May 3

My new obsession is orchids. I have found that, like my bromeliads, they are very easy to keep alive. It’s nothing I’m doing, they like my patio because it has a good combination of bright light, shade, and humidity. One thing that endears me to a plant is their scent. Most orchids do not have a scent, however, I’ve found a few that do, so I’ve placed them near me so that when I sit on my porch, the smell wafts through the air to my nostrils. I’ve placed two of them in this cute little holder that looks like a bicycle. Over the past few days, I’ve noticed that one of the baskets is skewed, which will make the plant grow crooked unless I straighten it out. This morning I decided that I needed to make that correction because I don’t want it to have any excuse to head in the wrong direction. All it took was one minor adjustment, and a tiny piece of wire to hold it in place. This lesson goes right along with a verse in Ephesians, encouraging us to set others straight if they are being skewed by sin, and not fall into that sin ourselves.


Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:11

May 2

Many things have become acceptable to those here on earth, that are not acceptable to God. When the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and we give in to the desires of the few, we all suffer the consequences. I heard that pedophiliacs congregate, and have conventions! Whether this is true or not, I have no idea. If it is true, why aren’t we arresting the whole bunch for exploiting children? We accept their behavior, and some even feel sorry for them. The Bible is not wishy-washy about this, and has very strong words concerning it. And don’t give me that garbage about the Bible being written by man... it is God breathed, guided by the Holy Spirit, it is the living word of God, and He strongly condemns sexual immorality of any kind. Sexual immorality is any act that is not specifically between a man and a woman, as husband and wife, in intimacy, behind closed doors. If you engage in any act outside of that, then you need to ask forgiveness, then go and sin no more!

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Ephesians 5:5

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

May 1

We have all said things that we wish we could erase as soon as the words leave our mouth. Often there are things said that grieves the Holy Spirit, things that require our immediate repentance. Do you know what that is? Unloving words said to our fellow humans! Did you know that we are not even supposed to speak ill of any spiritual beings? We can rebuke them, and tell them to leave us, but we are not to call them names. When is the last time you called someone a bad name? When we use bitter words, the Holy Spirit withdraws from us because He is holy, and because our words are sinful, His Holiness cannot be in the same place. Remember this the next time someone ticks you off and you decide to give them a piece of your mind. In fits of anger and rage, it is sometimes hard to control the string of words coming out of our mouths, so be mindful of this, and pray for control before your mouth causes the Holy Spirit to turn His back on you.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:29-31

Grieve: cause great distress to (someone).
Bitterness: sharpness of taste; lack of sweetness.
Anger: a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
Wrath: extreme anger
Slander: make false and damaging statements about (someone).
Clamor: shout loudly and insistently.

Malice: the intention or desire to do evil; ill will.

April 30

Sunday morning, I happened to drive by the home of a couple that I’m familiar with, and know their character. They were all dressed up and getting into their car to go to church. I know that they identify themselves as Christians, but I also know that their lives do not reflect that of a true Christ follower. Now, before you get your cockles up and shake your finger at me for judging them, remember the verse that says “you will know them by their fruit,” well their fruit is rotten! If you say you’re a Christian yet live as though you are in the world, prepare to be judged by everyone, especially by those who are living in the world, and are keeping a close eye on those who say they love Jesus. We don’t want to give anyone a reason to look at us in a negative way, or cause them to turn away from Jesus because of our behavior. For instance, if you’re a reckless driver, or a demon takes over when you’re driving, don’t put your church bumper sticker on your vehicle! I’m just saying that as Christians, we are always being watched, and need to live in a manner worthy of our calling. 


I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, Ephesians 4:1

Monday, April 29, 2019

April 29

When we entered through the gates of our resort in Costa Rica, it was quite different from the previous area. No more hodgepodge of homes, just a carefully planned development. Our surroundings were posh and green. Since there is a two hour time difference between Florida and Costa Rica, I was awake everyday at 5:30 am, which was still a little late for me, but it was nice to sleep in. The sun broke the day around 5:15 am, so when I got up, it was light and bright. When you get up that early, you get to see things that most people don’t experience, and understand why the gardens are so lush in a time of drought, the sprinklers come on everyday! It’s like being a part of the kingdom of God, it comes with certain privileges, and one of those privileges is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, or to fit the scene, getting watered daily, like the landscaping in my resort. You can either suffer in the drought-like conditions of today’s spiritually lacking world, or thrive with the power of the Holy Spirit by getting watered daily.


that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Ephesians 3:16

Sunday, April 28, 2019

April 28

We’ve all encountered another human, that for some reason, has decided that they don’t like you. I had this situation happen to me recently, where before we were introduced, she began insulting me. Maybe I had become the topic of conversation, or maybe she was just that way, but for whatever reason, for two hours she took bold jabs at me. After we left the event, God began to point out some of her statements like, “I know Jesus, but I don’t like Christians.” That’s when it hit me, the devil inside of her was reacting to the Jesus inside of me. I had just encountered Satan, or one of his cronies up close! The reason that I’m telling you this is because I want you to be aware that the devil roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. I also want you to recognize his voice, and mannerisms, because he still uses the same tactics as he used back in the Bible days. Keep listening to the Holy Spirit, and read God’s word so that you know the devil’s tactics.


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

April 27

My neighbors have been doing some remodeling inside their home. When it was up for sale by the previous owner, I had looked at it and considered it for purchase, however, it was dated and needed many things changed, so I passed it up because there were other homes available. Yesterday, I took a peek at their progress, and was blown away by the transformation. It’s a middle unit, so natural light is something that is coveted, but what they have done has brought the light into it. They wanted to be part of our community, even it that meant buying the only one available at that time. 

Here is the lesson: God may still be working on your inside, but people will be drawn to you by what you project on the outside. We need to be the community that others want to live in, even if God is still doing some remodeling. We need to show kindness and love to everyone, even those who hate us for taking a stand for what is right, and moral. The way you act and live may be what changes their attitude towards Christians, and may encourage them to accept Jesus, and become a part of the community of believers.


for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8