Saturday, November 28, 2020

November 28

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:27-28

This scripture is a hard pill to swallow, but you must; it’s a command, not a suggestion. It’s easy to love someone who loves you, but not true about someone who is evil or hates you. It’s like the difference between sunrise and sunset; one gives light, and the other puts out the light; you can’t tell the difference if you are looking at a snapshot in time. I’ve photographed both, and you must look to see where the image was taken to be able to tell the difference. When we hate someone, it is the same; our eyes may be seeing them at sunset when maybe, in a short time, they will be back on the rise and walking in the light. What has made a person so hateful that their light is going out? Could your love for them change the trajectory of their life? Everyone that doesn’t have Jesus is looking at a sunset, and it seems so beautiful, yet darkness is coming. They may never see a sunrise again, but what if it only takes a few hours of darkness before they accept Jesus and begin living in the faith of the rising “Son”? We must consider these things and let our sun set on hate because you can’t hate another human and love Jesus at the same time.

Friday, November 27, 2020

November 27


“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. Luke 6:22-23

Aren’t we living this out right now? The mainstream media and headlines call Christians all kinds of names because we disagree with their far left, corrupt agenda that turns what is good into what is evil. They say killing a child for convenience is okay; pedophilia, homosexuality, are rights, and if we speak against them, pointing out biblical truths and call out their immorality, we are the ones who are evil. Don’t give up or give in to this nonsense; hold your ground. We are in the right, and no matter how much they cry foul, God will not stand up for them; he is not on their side of this issue. When they try to say that love wins in these situations, they are entirely wrong; these issues aren’t about love because someone gets hurt in the process of this “so-called” love. Is it okay to hurt someone for your own passion? These practices are selfish, and the people committing them are out of their minds and are sincerely diluted and overtaken by evil. Continue to hold your ground! As the scripture says, the reward will be great in heaven!

Thursday, November 26, 2020

November 26

 


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We have much to be thankful for, but especially for the sacrifice our God made to make us clean and whole. We should be grateful that when we part from this world, we will enter into the beauty of heaven and spend the rest of our lives in pure comfort alongside Jesus.


We need to pray hard. There is a sinister actor, and we all know who that is, stirring up the power-hungry monsters within our country, pushing to control us, and put in place mandates that are usually only done in communist countries. I’m appalled at some of the state governments and their tactics to dismantle our freedom. I pray that the police officers in those states have a sound mind and reject their efforts to keep the people from praising God with their families on this Thanksgiving holiday. There is a difference between virus control and people control, and we are a witness to it.


I’m still astonished that people can’t see the difference between good and evil and that they choose evil. Jesus dealt with this kind of madness in his day. He was in the temple on the Sabbath, and a man with a withered hand needed healing. Can you imagine anyone making a fuss over a healing? Were healings so common that they weren’t amazed, or were they so evil that they didn’t care? Jesus overrode their corrupt addition to the law and healed that man, and those religious tyrants were angry about it. There may come the point in the history of America where we need to override tyrannical governors and their perversion of the law so that we can keep our freedoms. Put on the whole armor of God, and be prepared to fight. What we are dealing with is no joke. May God flush the bad and keep the good so his people can be free.


And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. Luke 6:9-11

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

November 25

While sitting on my porch yesterday, I had a visitor come to eat at the bird feeder. It’s not unusual for me to see cardinals; they are regular guests; however, this particular cardinal had a lame leg. It broke my heart to see it dangling there. He couldn’t perch, so he sat right on the edge and ate until his appetite was satisfied. That little cardinal was fatter than any other I have ever seen; his crop was full. I love that he didn’t give up on life because of his brokenness and that he uses his other abilities to continue living his best life. Seeing him also gave me a clear view of why I felt compelled to purchase and maintain a feeder; in Florida, we don’t need to feed the birds; there is plenty for them to eat all year long, but that one tiny view God gave me, explains it all. 

It’s like living in the United States, where we currently have freedom of religion; we can eat at the table anytime, but there are still some people who are hungry because of their brokenness. Don’t stop feeding the people, even if you’re only throwing out crumbs; it might be enough to bring them into the saving knowledge of Jesus. 


There is another lesson to be understood. When sin entered this world, it affected everything, including animals. Sin can cause some infirmities in people, but not all infirmities are caused by sin. If that were true, you would never see a lame animal because animals cannot sin; sin is a product of man.


"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope" Romans 8:20


And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:2-3

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

November 24

I felt drawn to come outside and enjoy a morning fire being it’s a little chilly out. I’m hoping that God will give me direction while I sit here, staring at the flames. My dogs are sitting beside me, enjoying the outdoors. Rudy is comfortable being covered by a blanket, but Coco is happy with just being in a sweater. Like many of us, they have their preferences. We are all going through challenges, and maybe what you are going through can help others. That’s why it’s essential to be ready at a moment's notice to give your testimony. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and guide you when the time is right, but we must do our part. God knows what a particular person needs to hear and when they need to hear it to pique their interest in the things of God.

I want to challenge each of you to prepare your testimony, write it down, and practice telling it. You need to share with others why you trust in Jesus and give examples of what he has done for you. You can intertwine your story in general conversation; it is a powerful tool. It’s not like telling a Bible story, it’s your life, and others need to know what God has done for you through our Savior.


But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1 Peter 3:14-16

Monday, November 23, 2020

November 23

Have you ever said, “did you see that wind?” You can’t see the wind, but what you can see is the trees, a flag, sand, or something else being blown or tossed by the wind. There is other evidence, but you can’t see the wind. 

As I read scripture, my mind goes to work, and I begin asking myself questions to understand the scripture better. 


Why did the man with leprosy need to go and make an offering as proof that Jesus had healed him and stay quiet about it? Here’s my conclusion about the following verse.


"And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”  Luke 5:14


1. The leper didn’t need to tell anyone because there was evidence that his skin was clean. 

2. Jesus had performed the healing, and it was proof to the temple priest that Jesus was the priest with ultimate power, and also evidence that Jesus is who he says he is.

3. By making an offering, he was following the Mosaic Law for cleansing, more proof that Jesus is who he says he is.


In everything, give God the glory. Nothing you have, your health, wealth, or anything else, is because you did something to deserve it. 

Sunday, November 22, 2020

November 22

Each Christmas, our community hangs a couple of wreaths on our front entry gate. After using them a few years, the ornaments had become weathered, so I volunteered to redecorate them to give them a fresh new look. I had thought this would be an easy task, and for the most part, it was; however, I didn’t take into account their rough condition and spent nearly an hour removing the old stuff and fluffing out the branches. After that, I began preparing the ribbon and making the bows. I somehow underestimated the size bow I needed and had to remake them because they weren’t the right proportion. I don’t like starting over, but sometimes you must do it again to ensure you get it right. 

Jesus had become popular, and people flocked to him to hear him speak and see his miracles. Simon had just finished working and was cleaning the nets getting ready to go home to rest. The crowd was pressing in, and Jesus saw the boats of Simon, and James and John near the shore, so he got in Simon’s boat and asked him if he would set out so he could preach from the water. After his sermon, he told Simon to put out into the deep and cast his nets again; he didn’t want to because they had fished all day and caught nothing, but he did it anyway. The catch was so overwhelming that both boats nearly sank because there were so many fish. After that, Jesus called them to become fishers of men. 


Jesus gave Simon, James, and John another opportunity to become successful in their endeavor. If you feel defeated and are ready to give up, here is your word, start again. With Jesus, anything is possible. 


And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. Luke 5:4-6