Saturday, November 9, 2019

November 9

My husband and I have adopted a sugar-free, low-carb lifestyle, but we still crave sugary treats like pancakes and desserts. There are lots of recipes the help you get past your desire, but they are not always accurate or descriptive, and can lead to lumps or cause them to be watery. I’m a pretty good cook, and know that you mix the dry ingredients, and then the wet ingredients, before mixing them all together, but what do you do with cheese? Anyway, I tried making pancakes without following directions, because they weren’t included, and ended up with major lumps. I had to get the blender out just to get it smooth. The point of this story is that there is an order to things, including our life as a Christ follower. God has given us very serious commands, because he is an orderly God and expects our lives to follow an orderly manner. If you try to mix the things of this world with the things of God, all you get is a bunch of lumps on the head. God is not tolerant of our misbehavior, and we will pay a price for our error. Yes, he is forgiving, but only because of Jesus. If you continually walk in the way of the world, without remorse, you may need to rethink your lifestyle and consider that you may not have the Spirit of God dwelling within you, and that is very serious!

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:8-9

Friday, November 8, 2019

November 8

Have you ever set out on a journey not realizing how long it would take? Richard had my car, and I had my grandson; I wanted to take him to a park that is close to my house. I loaded up the wagon with all the supplies that I would need for a two year old, and set out on this short journey. My memory did not serve me well, because the park was further away than I had remembered. It was a good thing that I coated him with 50 SPF sunblock, because it was long and hot! I had already started, so it was too late to turn back; besides, I needed to give the little sweetie something to do to work off some of his energy. We finally made it there, played a little while then made our way back. Our journey with Jesus is very similar. You think it will be short, because you accept him as your Savior, not realizing that even though it’s simple, he has plans for you that you never thought about. He takes your journey as a sinner and washes it away, and then begins the process of drying your tears. He covers you with son-block so you won’t get burned, and begins taking you on a walk towards sanctification. Submit to the process, it makes the journey so much easier.

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11

Thursday, November 7, 2019

November 7

I can hear my dad using the words, “I reckon,” when he’s contemplating something. I had never thought about it until I saw it used in the King James Version of Romans 8:18. I reckon it means, suppose, reason, conclude, think, or consider. Paul used the Greek word “logizomai,” which translates to reckon, consider, or any of the words above, to help us understand that he had come to the conclusion that our sufferings here on earth are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. We must remember that Paul had seen some things that no one had ever seen, and heard things that cannot be told; so he has the experience to back up his words. Remember, at one time, he was caught up to paradise. Whatever you may suffer as a Christian, just hold on to what you have, it’s only temporary, and according to Paul, it is well worth it! Don’t turn back to a sinful life because it’s an easier road; that easy road will eventually lead to disaster. Keep pressing on toward the upward call; your suffering will lead to glory, and we will finally dwell with our Savior for an eternity and soon forget our worldly challenges.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 KJV

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

November 6

In our business, the first of the month is our busiest time. We must manage move-outs, and move-ins, and handle the accounts receivable, and accounts payable. People that rent from us, owe us debt for the use and maintenance of their home, and it’s the same if you have a mortgage, except you owe the bank, rather than a landlord. That debt must be paid or you will be evicted, and lose your home. Our body is the temporary home of our soul. It’s temporary because sin causes it to deteriorate; that deterioration is the debt we must pay, and eventually we will be evicted because the debt becomes too much. This is why it’s so important to nourish your soul, and maintain it because the Spirit of the living God lives within you. While our soul goes on to eternity, our bodies will be buried for a time, until it is clothed with glory and reunited with the soul at a time chosen by God. You must do what you can to maintain your body, because you have a purpose for the here and now, but you must also maintain your soul by looking to God for spiritual nourishment.

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

November 5

Richard and I had our two year old grandson stay overnight. We’re getting older, so having a baby around becomes a challenge because our home is not prepared for children. What that means is, we have to have an eyeball on him at all times; until he starts to get into it, we don’t know what might become dangerous. One moment he’s right in front of you then the next moment, he’s headed to a ladder that’s sitting on the porch, which his Pawpaw showed him how to use! I decided that he needed to run free for a bit. He’s always saying “water,” so I thought he might like running through the splash park near our home. Boy was I right! His diaper weighed three pounds before I decided it was time to go. Our grandchildren bring us great joy; they each have something special about their personality that helps you see their potential for good things when they grow up. It’s up to us, working beside their parents to help bring out that potential by encouraging them in their special gift. This one likes the water; he might be the one who likes the beach like his Namaw. We’ll have to keep his lily-white skin covered up though; he’s the whitest grand-baby we have!

"“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—"Deuteronomy 4:9

Monday, November 4, 2019

November 4

There is a point in your life where you have to let go of your past and move on. Yes, people have hurt you, but it’s time to forgive them, not for their sake but for your own. This is one time when it’s okay to be selfish; you need closure, but they aren’t a part of it; this is about you. The pain they’ve caused you, probably doesn’t even bother them, and I doubt if they ever give you a second thought. Time heals most things, but sometimes the pain runs deep, and time doesn’t soften it. That’s when you know this pain is bigger than you can handle. When you’ve done all you can, then it’s time to hand it over to God and ask him for his healing touch. When Jesus was here on earth in the flesh, he tried to teach us how to be free, and leave our cares in his hands. Don’t take lightly what he did for us on the cross, not only did he wash away our sins, but he took upon himself all of our burdens, even the ones we are carrying right now. Today, ask God to heal you so you can move on with your life and live free.

As I finished writing this, I had to pray for myself, realizing that I have some things from my past that I haven’t released. I then asked God how I could tell others to do this when I haven’t even conquered this myself. Then he showed me this portion of scripture where Paul writes: 

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Sunday, November 3, 2019

November 3

My family is in the business of providing homes; whether it is a rental, or a purchase, we procure that arrangement. We deal with a variety of people, from all walks of life; from the very poor and needy, to those who seem to have their life in order. In most cases, they are happy when they find that special home, because they have the strong desire to be settled. Their sojourn is over, and they can begin making their new home a place of comfort, and become familiar with their community. The process is very similar to finding a church home that is right for you. You may try a variety of churches, but when you find that special one, you know it. I’ve gone through the process of searching for a church more times than I should, and I love them all because they are family, and because of their relationship with Jesus, but there are some family members you can’t live with, and there are those you can’t get enough of. The point is, find a church home, but even better, find one that you can live and thrive in. Every church has its flaws, just like families do, find one whose flaws you can live with, remembering that Jesus is the center of it all.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. Acts 2:42-44