June 27

As a woman of short stature, I sometimes need a little boost to reach things. As I was adding a picture to my office wall, I stood on a wooden box, rather than take the time to bring the ladder into the house. It was just enough to help me climb onto another piece of furniture to get me where I needed to be to put the nail in the wall. As I was coming down, I stepped too close to the edge of the wooden box, and down I went, and landed on the floor flat on my back, giving me a few bruises, and scrapes. There are rules for safety in the workplace, but at home, you have to use your common sense. If I had just taken a moment to bring the ladder out, I wouldn’t be dealing with the pain caused by the fall. I’m okay, nothing was broken. It’s important that we have the right tools, and follow the rules put in place for our safety; pain and discomfort can be avoided if we simply use them. God has made his rules very clear, and has given us the tools we need to live a better life, but it’s up to us to follow those rules and use his tools. God’s rule book teaches us the things to avoid and helps us know his expectations, so we don’t stumble and fall prey to the enemy, and our own desires. Not only are his rules good for the here and now, it also gives us a passport to the future with him in Heaven. Open up the Bible, learn God’s expectations, and you will be successful in maneuvering through this life, and secure your future.

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. Psalms 37:23-24

June 25

As I took the last sip of my coffee, my mouth was filled with coffee grounds. As a young person, I would have spit it out, being turned off by the texture, but as an adult, I look at it as a little extra caffeine to help get my day started. The truth of the matter is that some consider the caffeine in coffee a drug; of course, I don’t, it's just a tasty, warm, and delicious drink to start my day. A little coffee, and a lot of Jesus make for a great day. If it was a drug, do you think the grounds would make a difference? The bigger picture is the cup of coffee, with less emphasis on the grounds. When Jesus admonished the Pharisees, he related their hypocrisy to straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel. They would be careful to tithe on minor things like mint, dill and cumin, but neglect matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness. Much like me worrying about the grounds, but still swallowing the delicious coffee. You can also relate this to what’s going on it today’s society; issues of race, equality, and justice, are just symptoms of a bigger issue, rampant sin, and hearts not given over to God. We cannot repair these issues unless we submit to God, and follow his ways. The world must repent, and return to God; he is our only hope.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! Matthew 23:23-24

June 25

I never realized how many potted plants I had until we moved! My patio is now holding all of them along with all of our outdoor furniture, while our yard is being revamped, and it’s a crowded mess. Once it’s finished the plants and furniture will then take their place in the yard, and what seems like a jumbled mess will create a lush atmosphere that will bring joy. We are like my jumbled patio. God is doing a work within us that may seem like a mess, but once he sorts it all out and puts the bits and pieces into their proper place, we will become a useful instrument in his service. This is why we must continue to study his word, use our experiences as stepping stones of improvement, then we will be ready in and out of season to give a reason for our faith, which is music to the ears of God. Our minds are like a blank canvas similar to my back yard; godly knowledge, like the plants that I have accumulated, will create an atmosphere that attracts others to our Savior, like birds to the garden, and give us confidence to teach others about what it means to receive salvation through Jesus. Every moment you spend in God’s word will be worth the effort, and every experience that you have will add to your treasury of knowledge. 

"preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2 

June 24

Communication is the key to understanding one another. The enemy has a field day when we begin listening to the wrong people, especially the ones who have devised devious plans. The king of the Ammonites, Nahash, died, and his son took over the kingdom. Nahash had dealt kindly with David before his passing, so David sent people to console his family. He decided to deal kindly with the king’s son, Hanun. After Hanun began listening to his advisors, the new king thought he was being set up for disaster by David. Hanun treated David’s men badly, and sent them away. The Ammonite king had made a terrible mistake by listening to his corrupt advisors, and tried to make it right, but it was too late. They ended up defeated in the battle that ensued. A war was started over miscommunication. We have a real enemy stirring things up to try to defeat us, and he is communicating lies that are being believed. It would be sad if everything we have fought so hard for, fell apart based on corruption and lies. Pray that everything hidden in darkness would be brought out into the light and exposed, and that eyes would see, and ears would be opened to hearing the truth. 

But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Have not his servants come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?” So Hanun took David's servants and shaved them and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away; 1 Chronicles 19:3-4

For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Luke 8:17-18

June 23

 I had an early morning appointment to take my car into the dealership to have a repair. The air conditioner makes a terrible noise! We have been dealing with this same issue for a while; it seems the technicians are having a hard time coming up with a solution. Each time I’ve taken it in, I’ve been confident that they will solve the problem, but here I am again, same problem, different day. As with any problem, there is a process of elimination; you have to eliminate the possible causes, and once you’ve cleared them, your problem should be solved. The technicians will try again, and we will be closer to being free from the noise it makes. Do you see where I’m heading with this? Christians are the same; we have issues with sin, and the first step to changing it is Jesus, but sometimes we are hard headed, and must return to him to help us again, because we didn’t trust him enough to get to the root of our problem. Don’t give up on yourself! Everyone has problems, you are not alone in this. Keep going back to Jesus until you reach a solution. He is merciful, and understands you better than anyone on earth, and is faithful to forgive. As long as you have breath, you are not a lost cause! Go to him now, he is a skilled technician!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

June 22

In this day and age we get a lot of fake news. I’ve noticed that even individuals spread their own fake news. I’m not talking about the political arena, but those who put forth a facade so that everyone thinks that all is well in their household. I saw a dad honored for Father’s Day, that I know is a corrupt individual. This loyal wife has an image to uphold in the community, so she spreads lies to keep the charade going by posting pictures of the smiling faces of their children, and pouring out untruths about what a great dad this man is. Why do we do such as this? What are we trying to prove with this show? A lie is a lie! I’m not saying you should air your dirty laundry, I don’t want to hear about that either, but I also don’t want to be lied to about the state of your marriage or anything else you choose the cover up. It’s better for you to be quiet. Remember Adam and Eve when they ate the fruit, and their eyes were opened to their nakedness? Doing such as this is nothing more than covering up your nakedness. Repent of the lies, and seek God and his help, he is the only one who matters. Spare us of your fake news, we get enough of that!

But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:9-10

June 21

After unpacking our belongings and decorating all day, Richard and I were able to relax and enjoy our neighbors for a bit of street BINGO. Since the coronavirus scare, and quarantining, we have been meeting in our driveways each Saturday for a game, or to chat. Anything helps to break the monotony of being alone, and away from people. People need to be around other people, it’s just our nature, God made us that way. Anyone or anything that tries to stop that from happening, will only fail. The most reclusive person needs a little social interaction; even God wanted people around, that’s why he created us. The greatest command is to love God, and the second is to love people; all other commandments fall into place when you follow this. In this day of social distancing, don’t be too distant, stay in contact with other people, it’s too mentally stressing to remain in seclusion. If this was a social experiment, I would say that it was a success; we found out that we need one another. I won’t take my family, friends, and neighbors for granted ever again.

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10