June 14

I’ve been working very hard to get the yard of my new residence under control. We have a hedge in the backyard that became overgrown and covered by vines. I remember reading that God told Adam he would be required to tame the land because of his sin; well, that's what I was feeling yesterday as I began yanking the vines off the top of the hedges. After I got most of the vines removed, Richard started trimming them up to create trees; then he watered them because they were looking sad from the lack of it; we’ve been in a drought, though we are starting the rainy season, the sand is still quite dry. This morning they look a little perkier. 

If you continue to neglect yourself spiritually, the enemy will creep in as those vines did to the hedge. It may take some work after you’ve allowed fear, trauma, unbelief, and rejection to overtake you, but if you work carefully to eliminate them from the root, you will be free to flourish and able to get over your self-pity. Work diligently with the Holy Spirit to eradicate these encumbrances from your life. Ask him for help. When you ask him what is causing your issues, be ready to hear the answer, it’s probably not what you think. Don’t slough it off, saying it couldn’t be that because it probably is! Once you’ve identified your trouble, confess, repent, anoint, and pray!

I’ve just handed you the keys to a peaceful life, but it’s up to you to use them.

Problem: fear, trauma, unbelief, rejection

Answer: confess, repent, anoint, pray

I’ve had these written on my screen saver for years, so they are always in from of me. Once you are free, you never want to be enslaved by them again. Get to work, my friends.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— Ephesians 2:4-5