Saturday, June 15, 2019

June 15

There are no cars on Little Gasparilla Island, being there is no bridge to get to it, however, there are golf carts and a dirt path that runs the length of the island. There is little reason for it, other than to give you something to do in the evenings, like visit neighbors, deliver building materials, or explore. Our grandson and his momma are staying with us for the weekend, so we took them for a ride to see the sights, and like any child, he wanted to drive. He’s only four so he doesn’t quite reach the peddles, but his Pawpaw allowed him to steer. Let me tell you, it was quite a ride! We ended up in the bushes, and zigzagging all over the road, but that was the only way to teach him how the cart maneuvered, and that it was up to him to tell it where to go with the steering wheel. We were relieved when Pawpaw took over the steering because he knows how it works. 

This is how God teaches us. He sets us on the path, and allows us to do the steering, but when we run into the weeds, He will help us get back on track, headed in the right direction. Sometimes we have to let Jesus take the wheel, because alone we make wrong turns and get off of the path He sets before us.

“Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. Job 23:8-11

Friday, June 14, 2019

June 14

Early spring I planted a gardenia bush. It was loaded with blooms, more than I’d ever seen. However, when I transplanted it into the ground, about half of the blooms fell off. What I hadn’t realized is that the gardenia doesn’t like to be transplanted, and will sulk. Some of its leaves turned yellow and fell off, and a lot of the blooms never fully opened. It was sad. With the summer rain, it started producing new growth; it had acclimated to its new environment! But that’s not all! It has started producing new blooms! I can’t explain the overwhelming joy I felt when I saw a freshly opened bloom on this little tree, and then to see little buds all over it put me over the moon! 

In order to grow abundantly, sometimes you have to leave your small pot! You may not know why it’s happening, but God will sometimes move you out of your comfort zone because He knows you will flourish in your new environment. When we look back we can see why. Hang in there if you’re having some growing pains, God is still right there with you!

You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. Psalms 65:9-10

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. James 5:7

Thursday, June 13, 2019

June 13

Although the legal definition of adultery differs in nearly every legal system, the common theme is sexual relations outside of marriage, in one form or another. Wikipedia

The woman caught in adultery was about to be stoned, but Jesus said to the group, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” Everyone walked away. But what I think we all forget is that he told her, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” He forgave her, but told her not to sin anymore! 

Everyone learned a lesson that day, the scribes and the Pharisees because none of them were without sin, but also the one caught in the sin, the woman. He wanted her to change her behavior.

Tread carefully my friends. We’re all sinners, but don’t get so upset with those who are trying to snatch you from the fire of hell. If you’re a man that wants to dress like a woman, or a woman that wants to dress like a man, you go ahead and do your thing (though the Bible says not to do that either, but the lines are quite blurred with the current styles), but don’t let it cross over into sin by having sexual relations outside of the Biblical definition of marriage, which is between a biological man and a biological woman.

If you’re a Christian and trying to help snatch someone from the fire, make sure you are doing it with love, and not hateful speech.

And then there is this, the reason why it’s important:
He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away. Proverbs 6:32-33

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

June 12

Our daughter “in-love,” Hannah, bought a new wagon for our grandson Trey. Inside the box was an advertisement for a red Tesla car for kids. Just like the adult car, it was quite expensive, and of course, he wanted it. He asked everyone to get it for him, but no one complied until he talked to his Pawpaw. Richard searched all over the internet to find him a red car, with no intentions of purchasing a $500 Tesla. He found one, a Mini Cooper, hoping it was in good condition, we drove thirty minutes to check it out. It turned out to be missing parts, and looked as though it had been in many collisions. It wasn’t good enough for our grandson. On our way home, we checked the internet again, and a Dodge Viper became available. We put the address in the GPS and journeyed again. This time the car was in excellent condition, worthy of our sweet grandson. The excitement in his eyes was worth all the trouble. 

Are you waiting for prayers to be answered? Trey doesn’t know the backstory of how we found his car, all he knows is that his Pawpaw got him a car. God also has a backstory to the prayers you’re waiting to have answered. There are things He’s working on right now, but the pieces must fall into place, so wait patiently. Bring all of your request before the Lord, no matter how trivial you think they are, then write them down, and watch the hand of God working in your life.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

June 11

Are you telling yourself the truth? There may be passions hidden deep within your heart that are causing you to do what you do. I’m asking myself this as well. I may be causing myself stress by searching for peace in places, and things rather than Jesus. 

My friend sent me a video this morning about a neurologist who went into a coma because of a brain infection. He had a heavenly experience that he attributes to something that goes beyond his brain, because his brain wasn’t functioning at the time. He was a nonbeliever that now believes! 

After watching this, the first thing that came to my mind was, the wisdom from above. Our brains help us function on this earth, but are nothing compared to the wisdom that comes from God, it is pure. 

My point this morning is to find your peace in Jesus, stop searching for places and things outside of Him. His peace is not in a physical place, it is in your heart, and it’s in the wisdom that comes from above that we cannot attain without Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Tap into that heavenly wisdom today and rest in the presence of the Lord.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

Monday, June 10, 2019

June 10

Imagine living on a barrier island with no bridge. The early morning commute could get very complicated if a storm is looming, or if the heavens break open, and the wind is a torrent. Life would be interesting to say the least. Being perched on the bay side of the island this morning, got me to thinking about the difficulty of full time residency on an island such as Little Gasparilla. As with any other choice in life, you have to give weight to the things that are important to you. If living on or near the beach, and fishing is important to you, then you give weight to that, but if convenience is more important to you, then you give weight to convenience. My point is, we shouldn’t candy-coat the truth. Being a follower of Christ is not easy, and it’s getting more difficult day by day, because of the endless fight against the enemy. However, having peace in our soul, and the promise of daily communion with the Holy Spirit, and an eternity with our Savior, outweighs any tormenting we could face. Is it worth it? It most certainly is!

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Luke 14:28

Sunday, June 9, 2019

June 9

I spend a lot of time at the beach, it’s the place I love the most. The past couple of times I’ve been, I’ve wanted a visor rather than a hat and I keep forgetting to bring one. I like the look of sun bleached hair and I hate to cover all of it up, but also don’t want to expose my face and get sun damaged skin. Last night as I was walking on the empty beach, a name brand visor washed up at my feet! Is that crazy! I didn’t have a visor on my prayer list, it’s something I should think of before I leave the house, but you can bet that I got a great big smile on my face and thanked God for thinking of me and providing for all my needs. 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Today we celebrate Pentecost and the receiving of the gift of the promised Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is real and is within everyone who loves, accepts, and who has given up everything for Jesus. Acknowledge Him today, and every day, He is your companion. 

"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8