Saturday, October 24, 2020

October 24

I, like many of you, have been fretting over this election, so much so that it has become an obsession, and like any obsession, it’s unhealthy. It’s just getting worse as each day passes, especially after reading that a record number of young people have voted, which automatically leads me to believe that they will turn the vote away from pro-life. I was praying this morning, knowing that God is hearing from his elect who are petitioning him repeatedly concerning the turmoil we are in and what we expect to face. As usual, I turned to the scriptures for comfort. I’m in the book of Mark, combing through the parables, but it’s time to move to the next chapter, but I didn’t feel ready, so I backtracked and decided to read the last section of Mark 4, and like usual, Jesus is there asking me and all of us “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” I broke down in tears because here is his answer to our storm. 

I don’t like being in the middle of a storm; it robs me of my tranquility and puts me into the fight or flight mentality. Here I am searching the globe to try and find a place to go to get away from these reprobates who are wreaking havoc on our society, and there is no such place anymore; we're living in the last frontier, and here is Jesus, speaking words to calm the storm, “Peace! Be still!” I know I’m not alone in this; I read your posts. Today is Saturday, the Sabbath; let's use this day to rest our weary minds and focus on Jesus. Then tomorrow, we will be ready to praise and worship him on his day, the LORD’s day. He is our peace in the middle of the storm; there’s no need to worry, he’s in the boat with us!


And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:39-40

Friday, October 23, 2020

October 23

What talents and gifts do you have that are from the LORD that are sitting unused? He has given us all a measure, but if we don’t use them to benefit his kingdom for his glory, he will take them away. However, when you put them to use, he will give you more. Jesus explains this in the parable of the lamp; you need to let your light shine for all to see, and not hide it under a basket. What if it’s your talent or gift that is necessary to shed light for all to see the evil that is hidden in the darkness? Use it or lose it! 

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Mark 4:21-25

Thursday, October 22, 2020

October 22

I don’t think I’m the only one feeling stress right now, but even with only 12 days left until the election, I don’t think it will go away any time soon. As one of my friends puts it, “so we pray!” Lately, I’ve been praying more than ever. I’m ready for all of this to be over and have some normalcy restored. 

When you are praying, pray for our fellow Christians in Lagos, Nigeria, they are facing times of trouble and need for us to come together as their brothers and sisters in Christ and bring our petitions before God on their behalf. Many young, peaceful protesters were killed by government soldiers and left to die in the streets, while the soldiers blocked the ambulances from going in to help. This atrocity was uncalled for and procured by their corrupt government.


Will we as Americans face this same thing if a corrupt regime takes office? You can count on it. So we pray. The world has gone mad, so we pray. Pray for peace in your heart that only Jesus can give. Praying for someone else will help bring healing to us. In this world, you will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world.


I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

October 21

There are days that I have a lightbulb moment while reading the scriptures, and something obvious is highlighted and explains the situation of today. It’s a sad commentary, and maybe the separation of the goats and the sheep in modern Christianity. Many “Christians” have eyes to see and ears to hear, but they can’t perceive it; I believe these are Christians in name only. Hate is not a trait of a Christian, so if you feel hatred toward anyone, you either need to ask forgiveness or seek salvation. 

There are Christians, in name only, who hate President Trump. I didn’t care for the Obama administration, but I never hated him. I know and love many people who call themselves Christian, that detest and have a severe hatred toward our President; their eyes and ears are closed, their hearts are hardened, and they need our prayer. These are the people who hear an amusing story and laugh at it, but do not understand its meaning, like in the parable of the sower who dropped seeds on rocky ground, and the seed sprang up quickly but had no depth. These are the people that the devil has hoodwinked, and they will be voting for the slaughter of innocent children who are locked in a womb. Hatred and murder are not a fruit of the Spirit.


If these people are successful and vote to install a product of the devil into the Whitehouse, where will we go if their socialistic administration has its way? There is no new land to which we can escape. Surrender everything you have to God today; it’s our only hope for freedom, both physically and mentally.


And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’” Mark 4:11-12

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

October 20

We’re back at home. I’m happy to be out of the cold weather; this Florida blood can’t take those lower temperatures. We did most everything we wanted to do while in the mountains, and have no regrets for the things we didn’t do, but I can’t say that in general; there are things that I didn’t do when I was younger that I regret and I tend to beat myself up over them. 

One recent regret is not insisting that my mother stay the night at my house after the long drive back. It was still early, and her drive home is just an hour away, so I never thought about it again. On her way home, she got into a fender-bender. It wasn’t her fault, but if I had insisted she stay, her car would still be intact. I’ve been beating myself up over it since last night.


There are some things I have to remember; she wasn’t hurt, but she’s probably sore from the jolt, and nothing that either of us did was the cause of this; it was just an unfortunate accident. 


I know a lot of people torture themselves over the things of the past, but God has removed them from his view through your covering of Jesus. Try to let those things go; God can’t see them, and what other people think about you doesn’t matter. Let it go, and live the best life you can from this day forward without looking back in regret.


“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Isaiah 43:18

Monday, October 19, 2020

October 19

It’s incredible the difference a little bit of time can make. We were at the cabin in Georgia ten days ago to do some work. It was raining then and slightly cool, and the leaves had hardly begun to change. Two weeks later, the leaves have changed color, are beginning to fall, the weather has cleared, and is much cooler. The difference is dramatic, and it shows how time transforms things. If you are going through a difficult situation today, wait; as the days pass, you will see it change, and hopefully, it will be for the better. However, remember whether your days are good or bad, God is in your midst; rely on him to get you through when it’s bad, but don’t forget to give him praise, and worship him through the shift in your season.

“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:25-28