Saturday, September 7, 2019

September 7

Back on August 30th, I wrote about receiving two rocking chairs from my Aunt Jean. They were white, but because I like to match my things, I decided to paint them the color of my other outdoor furniture, which is a deep coffee color. Boy was that a chore! I spent a good part of my day painting, and only finished one! It’s not easy to paint a chair made of wire, especially taking it from white to brown. It took five cans of spray paint to cover the white. It’s like character, you start with a blank slate, and it develops over time. Some things stick to you, but most of it is wasted in the wind. It’s important to keep applying good, rich character to your soul, even if a lot of what you are exposed to is blown away. Eventually Jesus’s personality will begin to show through, if you are learning from him and about him through his Word; then who he is will begin to come out in you. It’s important to keep enriching our lives with the things of God, having Jesus as our foundation, and building from there.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Friday, September 6, 2019

September 6

To the followers of Christ: One of the Ten Commandments is, “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.” Jesus who is God, obeyed all the laws that he created, but then was accused by the Pharisees of breaking that commandment because he healed someone on the Sabbath. Isn’t that insane? He was trying to do good only to be accused of disobedience to the law. Sometimes doing the right thing cost you. This particular instance was all they needed to have a reason to put Jesus on trial. He never broke the commandment. The Jews had set up fence laws to keep people from breaking a commandment. Sometimes rules created for protection end up being the rules that break the people they are trying to protect. There was nothing unholy about making someone whole, and giving new life to an individual who needed help, yet the Pharisees  found fault with it. God gave that law so people would take a break, and not overwork their people and animals. Oftentimes, laws get in the way of good common sense.

And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” John 5:15-17

Thursday, September 5, 2019

September 5

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an issue with food. As a child, I suffered with allergies and asthma, and was very thin because the medication curbed my appetite. In my late teens and early twenties, I went through a phase where I barely ate; my diet consisted of mostly potatoes, and got thin again. I was twenty-four when I got pregnant with my son, and barely weighed 98 pounds! That’s when it all changed; I gained forty-seven pounds and have struggled to keep my weight down ever since. During the menopausal stage of my life, I gave up meat for fear of added hormones. Now, I’m eating a proper human diet and think I have my obsession with food under control. I have become less concerned with my appetite, and don’t freak-out over missing a meal. Jesus doesn’t want us to be obsessed with anything but Him, and to feast on Him and his Word. If worldly things are controlling your behavior, it's time to let it go. When you have no willpower, seek God and use His power to overcome. 

But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. John 4:32-34

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

September 4

Have you ever asked God for wisdom? As Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom to help him govern a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. He hadn’t asked for the normal things that most would expect, like possessions, wealth, honor, death to his enemies, or long life. Because of his heart, God gave him wisdom, but also gave him wealth and honor, more than any other king. He was a peaceable king, so maybe wisdom is the key to peace. Going to college doesn’t make you wise, but putting that knowledge to work does. Reading your Bible is good, but doing what it says is wise. Part of being wise is to set a guard on our heart, and not let anything in that can cause harm. Fill your mind with the things of God, let go of the things of man that ravage your mind. Today, ask God to give you wisdom, and maybe it will be wisdom that will bring about the other things you desire.

wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” 2 chronicles 1:12

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

September 3

I live in a small townhouse community of thirty-six homes. It is a beautiful area, and all of the homeowners are diligent in their efforts to keep it that way. Twice a week, we roll our trash cans out to the curb for pick-up, then we roll them back into our garage to hide them away. We have a new neighbor that probably doesn’t know that rule, and has left them out for all to see. Everybody sees their trash, but no one has said anything to them about it, so they continue in their folly. I’ve met these people, and they are very nice. We are all looking on as they continue breaking the rules, and they don’t even know! Wouldn’t it be nice if someone told them, rather than they get a notice from the homeowner’s association? I’ll bet they would appreciate that more than feeling the sting of a warning. The same holds true for your friend who continues in their sin. Do you try and turn them around, or do you let them continue, and get a harsh warning from God? Anyone who hasn’t accepted Jesus is in sin, and is under God’s wrath. Be a good neighbor and tell them, they may not know any better.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36

Monday, September 2, 2019

September 2

I’m overwhelmed with excitement! I heard back from the literary agent, and her company is going to publish my book! I’m still waiting on the details, but I’ve signed a contract! My book is being assigned to a team that will handle everything from the editing, to the book cover. This woman sent me emails, called me, and was about to give up. I then began to hear the voice of God prodding me to get busy. When you get confirmation from God that this is what you are supposed to do, and you know that you know, then the Spirit will move you forward at a pace you may not be used to. It only took me a few days to read through, and clean up more than 78,000 words, and make it presentable.  Are you mulling over something that God has put on your heart to do? Maybe it’s going back to school, a ministry that needs your help, or there’s someone who needs you to tell them about Jesus. Whatever it is, you’re not alone, the Holy Spirit, who keeps reminding you about your mission, will be with you to help you complete it. Time is short, so step out today toward the goal He wants you to accomplish.

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4

Sunday, September 1, 2019

September 1

Fear and anxiety go hand in hand. Watching a huge storm barrel toward you can cause you to project disaster; there’s a good reason, we’ve seen the devastation it can cause, and the years it takes to recover. We’ve also seen the predictions as far as five or six days out, be completely wrong. The point is that you make yourself ready, but don’t panic or get anxious over something that hasn’t happened, that’s fear! Because of fear, people were fighting over water, sitting in long lines waiting for gas, and causing havoc all over the place. What good has it done? None. You won’t get the water that’s not on the shelf, you can’t fill your tank if the gas station is out. The eastern United States knows it’s hurricane season and should already be prepared! Jesus is the solution to your fear and anxiety; He is the one who calms the storm within you. He can even give you peace as disaster strikes, but it’s up to you to listen to Him. He will calm you as you call out His name; you belong to Him, use His name to bring on your peace. JESUS! JESUS! JESUS!

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Proverbs 1:32-33