Saturday, July 24, 2021

July 24

Throughout the Bible, Old and New Testament, believers struggled and fought for their beliefs. So, you mean to tell me that in the most critical fight of all times, Christians will be taken out? Who are the Christians that will be persecuted during tribulation if the Holy Spirit is removed from the earth, and all the Christians are gone? 

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17


Do you really think the “Left Behind” series is going to convert enough people willing to sacrifice themselves for their weak belief in Jesus? Why do we call it “rapture” when the word is never mentioned in the Bible? It mentions “caught up in the clouds,” but is that literal? Maybe, but is it possible that verse has been explained away by those hoping we will long for such a trip that it takes us out of the fight because there is no point in defending ourselves? After all, we will be snatched away. Am I going to get lambasted for asking these questions? How dare I question the explanation fed to us over the years! What happened to hermeneutics when it comes to that particular verse?


I’m not saying it can’t happen; it happened to Elijah. However, is it possible that the explanation of the timing is off? Maybe I’m hoping for something different because I have a little bit of fear about flying through the air.


The point is that we need to stay in the fight!

Friday, July 23, 2021

July 23

When we moved, my topiary became damaged, and some of the fill came out. I’ve been procrastinating about repairing it, but I got a couple of new plants that needed a place to grow, so yesterday I decided that it was time. Forgetting about the razor-sharp edges on the bromeliads, I began making repairs without gloves and received a couple of itchy scratches. Once that happened, I put my gloves on the protect myself from getting any more.

Sometimes you have to work for things you love and struggle through the difficulties. In the end, it’s worth every ounce of stress and energy you exert. Don’t give up when life gets tough. Those scratches I got from the bromeliads are gone today, and if I wasn’t writing about it, I would have never remembered receiving them.


There is a reason for everything that happens in your life. We may not always know the reason, but God does. Even something as insignificant as my topiary became a lesson.


I found it interesting that while Paul was jailed in Caesar’s household, Nero’s wife and other staff became saved, according to Josephus. That, my friends, shows the goodness of God. Though it may have been difficult for Paul, God’s purpose for his captivity was achieved, and Cesar’s household became a church. Everything happens for a reason!


All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. Philippians 4:22

Thursday, July 22, 2021

July 22

I’m not trying to distract you from what’s going on in the world, but now and then, we need to take a break from all the negative aspects of our lives and the things happening around us. We have come upon a dark pattern of existence, but only if we focus on worldly affairs. Rather than dwell on negative things, here’s what the Bible says to think about:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8


Don’t shut out what’s going on because you must stay aware, but it’s better not to obsess over it. Take a break. It’s summer; go to the beach or the lake. Take a walk in the woods and spend some alone time with God. Do something that helps you connect with him on a deeper level. Make your primary focus the Father, and he will work out the plans for his children in due time.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

July 21

Today is one of those days where I let distractions shift my morning focus from Jesus to other things going on in my home. I left dishes in the sink, and frankly, my kitchen was a mess! I felt I needed to clean all of that up before moving on to better things. When that happens, it takes me some time to get back into “Jesus” mode. Rather than let things go, and sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary, I began my day by rushing around, cleaning my house like I should have done last night. 

My dirty kitchen issue is just a minor thing compared to all the things our minds are contending with lately; governmental affairs, cost increases, supply shortages, a dwindling of our freedom, and so on; with all that, it’s easy to become anxious. It’s more important now than ever that we keep our eyes on Jesus and not let our minds wander off of him and become distracted by the nonsense going on around us. Though we can’t just sit back and watch these things happen without any action, ultimately, God is in control. Follow his lead, and when he wants you to act, the Holy Spirit will let you know. However, there is no reason to become anxious, we are loved beyond measure, and when we get to the next phase of our life in Jesus, we will see how frivolous our fretting was. Have peace in the tumult, my precious friends; we are very well-loved.

If you haven’t already, commit the following verses to memory.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

July 20

Who do you try to please? If it’s other people, you will soon find yourself deflated. People have their expectations of you, and when you don’t fulfill them, they are disappointed. However, with God, he knows our weakness, he knows people, he knows that we contend with evil every day, and he forgives us of our shortcomings. That’s the kind of love he has for us. Set your face toward God, and don’t worry about what others think; ultimately, it is only he that matters. 

If we strive for excellence in him, though we may not meet the mark, he sees our forward trajectory and is pleased by our striving toward our goal, which is the upward call toward him.


Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Monday, July 19, 2021

July 19

I have been a licensed real estate agent for 20 years, and I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. Buyers have an idea of what they want, but sometimes you have to show them something unexpected that doesn’t fit their criteria. There is also a specific order that you must adhere to when showing homes; you save the best for last by throwing a couple of unkempt homes in the mix so when you get to the house that you expect them to love, it’s a welcomed change, and it helps them decide to buy. These rules work with everyone, even your friends and aren’t limited to real estate; think about what helped you decide for Jesus. In a lot of cases, people turn their life over to him because they walked through a rough time in their life; when they learn that Jesus’s love erases all the sin they’ve involved themselves in, it’s a refreshing change. To know that they won’t have to pay the price for a less than exemplary lifestyle is like walking into that ideal home. It may not look like you imagined or planned, but when you see it, you know it’s perfect for you.

Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:19-20

July 18



Over the past few days, I have written several posts without posting because the information contained in the original was less than encouraging. Unfortunately, life is not always peaches and cream; sometimes, it’s downright Limburger cheese. So, today I’m giving you a list of items we must each begin to pray about. I’m concerned about the direction our country is headed, with the government contacting Facebook over individual posts, door-to-door visits from government drug pushers, lack of response to the Cuban people in need of our help, and the promotion of the next wave of illnesses. The state-run media are staying quiet about these issues, but you can find this information by looking for the news conferences held by the Biden administration. I’ll bet most of you don’t know about the proof of election fraud found in Arizona and Georgia or that their governments had to admit that it’s true. Audits are going on all across the United States to prove we had a free and fair election or corruption like they found in Arizona and Georgia. If these audits are stopped because the state’s governments fear what will be found, then we’ve stepped right into a socialist trap. Once we cross the line, I can guarantee that we will have to go into hiding to worship Jesus. God is sending us a wake-up call; who will respond?


“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43-45


Links:


https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/arizona-senate-president-says-2020-election-audits-ballot-count-doesnt-match-maricopa-tally_3900886.html 


https://twitter.com/breaking911/status/1415742253297975303?s=21


https://twitter.com/electionwiz/status/1412461807013404672?s=21