Saturday, November 30, 2019

November 30

This devotional may not apply to everyone, but we’ve all experienced the pain of heartbreak, and the forgiveness is the same. I know that many of you are a party to divorce. Today is the day to heal. If the hurt that was caused by it still lingers, it might be time to let it go and forgive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you have to become friends with your ex, but maybe you should realize that the path you’re on has been corrected by God, and good or bad, it’s where he wants you to be. The truth is, it would do you well to get over the pain, and become an adult that can communicate with your foe from the past. Sometimes the pain runs so deep that the other party is unwilling to give; that’s not your fault, you should forgive anyway, it’s to benefit you, not them. I’ve watched a situation unfold where the ex-spouses were vehemently angry towards one another, and there were small children involved. One of the ex-spouses began praying for God to heal the relationship for the sake of the children. It took some time, but eventually the relationship was patched, and they now enjoy the milestones together; the children are better adjusted because of it. God has a heart for these types of issues, ask him to help, he loves to see you heal.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalms 147:3

Friday, November 29, 2019

November 29

When we bought a foreclosure across the street from my home, it came with all the stuff the former owner left when he passed away. Everything he owned became ours. I’m not sure how he felt about his possessions, but they were meaningless to me, and most ended up at the dump. There were some plants that he seemed to have taken care of, that now have a place on my porch. One of them is a Christmas Cactus. This morning, I decided to check on it to see if it had buds, and to my pleasant surprise it did! I’m looking forward to seeing what color it is when the buds get bigger and open up. One day, when you pass, everything that you hold dear will be in the hands of family members, who don’t care about it, or in the hands of strangers who will probably throw it out. We should never get too attached to our belongings, we don’t get to take them with us. When I moved, I got rid of so many things, and I gave my children first dibs on them, then the rest ended up at the Salvation Army. To my surprise, they didn’t want much of it. It was a lesson for me to just get rid of stuff and not worry about leaving possessions for my children, they don’t want it! If you think your possessions are worth a lot of money, cash out now! 

Do you know what else is worthless garbage that you keep holding onto? Those harsh memories, that haven’t healed to become useful tools! Ask God to heal you so you can become a blessing to someone else, like the Christmas Cactus that will become a blessing to me when it blooms.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:13-15

Thursday, November 28, 2019

November 28

Happy Thanksgiving! Every day is a day to be thankful, but on this day, we can lift up the name of Jesus together in unison, because our Savior deserves a standing ovation for all he has done for us. I have done some research into my ancestry, and it appears that my forefathers may have come over before the pilgrims to start the crops. I also have a grandfather who was killed in the Jamestown massacre! I’m glad he procreated before his demise. We are all very privileged to live in these United States, and I feel very strongly against those whose intentions are to destroy it. God gave us a place where we can worship him freely, but for every good thing there is an enemy who is against anything that is of God. You will know them by their fruit.; if they are against life, freedom, and justice, they are a product of the enemy. We cannot fall asleep while they rip us apart at the seems. Stand strong, servants of the Most High God, because he will prevail, but we must do our part to protect the freedom fought for by those who came before us and settled this beautiful land.

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

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

November 27

Sometimes we are challenged with the issues of life. How do you handle them? Do you roll over and give up or do you power through? I have my grandson who has pneumonia, and yesterday he was like a limp rag after getting two shots, but not today! Today he’s just like every other two year old, energetic, demanding, and fighting Rudy over the ball! I wish I could bounce back as fast as him! He is a prime example of how we should be after taking our lumps. We need to keep going, and not become defeated in our infirmary. I pray that God gives each of you strength to keep going, even when your body seems to be rejecting you. I know many people who are in pain on a daily basis, which doesn’t seem fair when others are healthy in the body. However, you must remember, we each have issues, even though they aren’t the same as yours, they are just as painful. A prime example is my grandson who seems to be well, but I can still hear gurgling in his lungs. He may feel better today, but he is still very ill. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear because the Lord is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might."  Ephesians 6:10

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

November 26

Every morning, I must decide whether to put Rudy on a leash or let him run to do his business. If I let him run it is always possible that he might run in the wrong direction and I have to go chasing after him. One way is a dead-end for him, but the other way opens to a swamp, but even then he usually doesn’t go as far as the swamp. The best option is the leash, then I can control him, and guide him in the direction I want him to go, which is not very far from the house. I love him, and want him to be free to run, but I also love him enough to try and protect him. The ideal situation would be for me to be able to turn him loose, and have him stay near the house. Do you think God feels the same way about us? We are free to wander into the swamp, and yes, God does chase after us when we go there, but don’t you think it would be more pleasing to him if we stayed close to him? I don’t like getting my feet wet chasing after Rudy, and I would like to beat his butt while chasing him back to safety, even though I don’t. So when you get a wild hair, and decide to go running off into dangerous territory, God is there chasing after you, he sees your every move; there could be consequences involved. My best advice is for you to stay near home, and close to God, where it is safe.

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Luke 15:4-5

Monday, November 25, 2019

November 25

My partner in crime, and I decided to take a one-tank-trip to a charming little waterfront town called Gulfport. To our surprise, it was adorable! Plenty of dining, boutiques, a fishing pier, and quaint old homes meticulously refurbished and painted with bright beach colors. This is my kind of town! But with every wonderful thing there is a downside; they have signs and markers indicating that with a hurricane, of category three status, it would put the town underwater by sixteen feet! As old as the homes are, I don’t think they’ve ever experienced one of that magnitude. With every good thing you must expect a downside, even following Jesus. As a follower of Christ, we have been forgiven so much, that the enemy tries to discourage us, and ruin our walk in the sight of others. Hell forbid that we should bring others to Jesus! It should be expected that we will experience some storms along the way, but nothing that comes at us will wipe us out of Heaven. So, do whatever you need to do to reinforce your structure so that it can withstand a Cat 3 hurricane, because the devil will come after you, expecting to wipe you off the map! Pray, have faith, fill your mind with God’s Word, let the Holy Spirit be your guide, and you will stand strong and endure the storms!

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9

Sunday, November 24, 2019

November 24

Since I live in the Tampa area, I decided that it might be fun to take a tour of Ybor City. I’ve always loved the area for its old buildings, and its history. It was the Latin Quarter, the hub of the cigar industry, and the melting pot of the Spanish, Cubans, and Italians, who came to Florida in the 1880’s for jobs rolling cigars for Vicente Martinez-Ybor, or one of many cigar manufacturers. All of the different sects worked well together, but they still enjoyed their own culture, so they built clubs, and would meet on Sundays after church, spending the rest of the day together, eating, dancing, and enjoying their time off. 

According to our guide, the Cuban Club is now haunted by a little boy who drowned in the pool that was located on the bottom floor. Jimmy, will sometimes show himself to those who go on the ghost tours. The Bible is very clear that when you die, your soul either goes to heaven or it goes to hell, there is no life in between. However, demons exist, and it is not beyond their ability to make you think there are ghost haunting you from the dead. Jimmy is just a demon who loves to toy with people. What seems like a fun thing to do, may actually open you up to the presence of the demonic. I don’t know about you, but I get enough of that on a daily basis, and I certainly don’t want to make it a part of my fun; so there will be no ghost tours for me in my future! The lesson today, is not to open yourself up to the demonic in any way, even if you think it might be fun.

And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?  Isaiah 8:19