Saturday, August 31, 2019

August 31

If you truly have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, your old ways will begin to fall from you. We have enormous trees in our yard. Richard is careful to keep the branches away from the house so they are less likely to fall and damage our roof. However, he doesn’t bother the branches that don’t pose an immediate threat. One of our trees had a weakness in one of its branches, and fell missing his truck by inches! This was no small branch, nearly the size of a tree. The structure of the tree is still sturdy and strong, but now it’s weakness was eliminated. We are similar to that tree, except that most of our weaknesses needing to be eliminated are internal. Jesus said in Matthew 5:30, “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” He was serious about us removing sin from our lives! He also said that every branch that doesn’t bear fruit is cut off! Today, ask God to show you where you are failing Him, then ask for help to remove that weakness from your life so you stay strong and sturdy, and are able to bear more fruit!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:1-2

Friday, August 30, 2019

August 30

My great-aunt Jean lived in a little pink house in the small town of Ft. Meade, Florida. She was fancy! She always drove a nice vehicle, and wore the most current styles. She collected some of the finest things, making her home quite charming, and decorated with a mix of Victorian and southern charm. She was so proud of me and my writings, and even had her church coordinate a book signing for my first book. After she passed away, I was able to choose some things from her home to take for my own. On her porch sat two intricately detailed rockers, which I had admired. Her daughter was gracious, and allowed me to have them. I’m not sure where I’m going to put them, but now I have something she loved, and they are becoming something I love. 

In yesterday’s post I talked about things we don’t want to pass on, but today is about passing on things we love, like Jesus. These rockers that were passed to me are dainty, yet grand like a throne, and they will make me feel like royalty when I sit in them. We are royalty, and it’s the heritage in Jesus we must pass on to our children. Teach your children about Jesus, so they too will be sons and daughters of the King.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

Thursday, August 29, 2019

August 29

When my great Aunt Jean passed away, her daughter called my Aunt Iris to see if she wanted an old sewing machine that had been passed on to her by her Aunt Rowena, which was my great-great-aunt. My Aunt Iris didn’t want it, but knew who might, and she was right! I wanted it. As part of taking the sewing machine, I also had to take all the things Aunt Rowena had made, so now I have some cute little dolls, a couple of hand crocheted bed covers, plus some other items that were passed from her.

My Aunt Rowena was described as a little crazy. I’m not sure what that meant, but I can tell you, the buck stops here! What are you passing down to your children or grandchildren? Are they admirable qualities, or do you need to let go of a few things? Jesus is in the business of healing, especially issues of the mind that are holding us captive. When we release all of our troubles to Him, and change our mindset with the help of the Holy Spirit, peace returns to us and the quality of life we pass on becomes exceptional. Don’t accept the “heirloom” of the “crazy” gene, stop it in its tracks with the help of Jesus. 

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

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

August 28

Many years ago, I prayed and asked God to tell me my new name. My given name has meaning, and though I’m sure my mother thought she was naming me herself, you can bet the Holy Spirit had a say. Teresa means harvester, and Ann means grace and favor. I got an answer when I asked Him my new name, I distinctly heard Him say, “Conqueror.” I triumph in victory every day! When Simon met Jesus for the first time, He changed his name to Cephas/Peter which means, “stone.” I’m sure it was endearing to him to have just met the Messiah and immediately receive his new name. There may be a connection with Peter’s name meaning stone, and our new name, because Revelation 2:17 says that it will be written on a white stone. I encourage you to look up your name and see if it fits your profile, then ask Him your new name. You’ll know, because it will keep following you around, and you won’t be able to shake it off.

I think it would be interesting for you to share with us if you hear the name He has given you.

"He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter)." John 1:42

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ Revelation 2:17

The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. Isaiah 62:2

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

August 27

Richard and I had our neighbor, who is a fishing guru, give us directions to a good fishing hole, by following him out there in our boat. Little did we know it was fifteen miles away and that we were already low on fuel. We were starting to get nervous because he kept going and going. They had fished there before, and had caught a load of snapper. We finally got there and began making our way back to the marina to get some gas. We had told our neighbor that we were low before we left the fishing grounds, and noticed that he hung out near the path to the marina to make sure we didn’t get stranded. We made it, but I think we were running on fumes! That man was standing in for Jesus, and had been appointed to watch over us for that moment in time. You’ve got to love the heart of someone who cares! When you’re running on empty, and are no longer capable, God can show you His grace. When we are weak, He is strong. Keep your eyes open for those moments, and give thanks and praise to the One who got you through it.

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16

Monday, August 26, 2019

August 26

Our little island getaway is located near the mouth of the Peace River. After weeks of rain, the river fills, and then flows into the gulf bringing with it all the runoff and tannin, which makes the water brown in the harbor and on the beach. It’s disappointing when you’re expecting the beauty of the azure seas, but it still has a beauty that can’t be denied. Life is not easy, and we all have our own set of trials, no matter how blissful someone’s life appears, you can bet they have their own set of problems. If it was all roses and butterflies, we wouldn’t need Jesus, but we need Him! Never wish away your own life, no matter how challenging it becomes. Eventually, the blue water will overtake, and the brown water will be diluted by the salty blue, and its beauty will return. Remember, some days you will have azure seas, but others may be ugly and brown. Thank God for both.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Sunday, August 25, 2019

August 25

As lawlessness increases and false prophets arise and lead many astray, I believe there is the need to strengthen our spiritual armor. It is vitally important that we know God’s Word, that we keep diligently searching the scriptures, and increasing our understanding. Much of what we have been taught by well meaning people, may not coincide with the truth. Some are not to be blamed, it’s how they were taught, and they didn’t question it because they trusted the teacher. I’m trying not to be cynical, but the more false teachers are being brought into the light, the more cynical I become. I’m not talking about one particular person, because there are so many! Listen to the scriptures you are reading. Do they match the teaching? If they don’t, ask the Holy Spirit for understanding, and He will guide you to the truth. I wish there was a list so we could block our ears when they begin to babble, but there isn’t, and if there was, could we trust the list? We must put our trust in the One who is within us to keep our minds safe.

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:11-13

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:11