Saturday, November 6, 2021

November 6

Practice discernment. Exercise wisdom. Use knowledge. Slice and dice the information you absorb. The enemy has a cunning way of mixing the truth with the lies, making the information he feeds us seem credible. The media are subject to their stockholders, who are also investors in other corporations, so they will give us information that benefits those stockholders. If you follow the money back to the source, you will find that two major companies own most corporations, and those two organizations are linked. Nearly everything we buy, unless it comes from a small business, is connected to these enterprises. The owners of those two firms are controlling everything. We live in a tangled web, and the only one who can sort it all out is God. I am praying for us to discern the truth. If we stay in God’s word, we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free.

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:15

Friday, November 5, 2021

November 5

Yesterday was one of those days where my thoughts got the best of me. People can be disloyal, think only of themselves, and forget how much you’ve helped them in the past. Then, I had to think about whether I had done the same to others. Has anyone helped me for free, and when I’ve needed to pay for their type of service, did I forget about them? I never want to be that person. But aren’t we all like that? God has given us everything we need to live in this world ruled by the devil, yet we dismiss him and try to handle everything ourselves. The Word of God is free and full of life-giving advice, yet few people read it. Jesus gave his life for us, but are we loyal to him by obeying his word? We cannot always count on people, but we can always rely on Jesus. I will keep doing what I do for others and forget how they’ve treated me, and remember everything God has done for me. That’s all that matters anyway. So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them. 

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Hebrews 5:8

Thursday, November 4, 2021

November 4

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

True Christ-followers have both soul and spirit. The soul is the life of a being, but the spirit is our connection to God. Every being has a soul, but not every being has a spirit. Some who have a connection to the devil think they have a spirit and may even think they are communicating with God, but they are only controlled by spirits and communicating with the devil. People who do not have Jesus are spiritually dead, according to the Word of God.


And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, Colossians 2:13


It makes me feel sorry for people who don’t know Jesus. Their connection is only on the surface, but to have a deeper relationship with God, one must have Jesus to connect to God’s spirit.


I’m thankful, honored, and feel privileged to communicate with God through the Holy Spirit because of Jesus, and so should you. If you don’t have this connection, you may be able to hide this inadequacy from people, but you cannot hide it from God; he knows!


And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

November 3

God has prepared us for what comes next; I don’t know what that is, but whatever happens, he will get us through it. I mentioned this a while back, and nothing happened, and I hope that’s the case this time too, but for your sake and your family’s good, have some non-perishable food on hand and a way to cook it, just in case things get crazy. We are living in unprecedented times, where right is wrong and wrong is right; only God knows what will become of the world. Evil is stirring like never before, at least since my time on earth, and we are the target. Stay positioned in righteousness with your face toward God, and we will get through this together. The most important thing to remember, it is the evil people who will face the wrath of God, not us. Stand firm under the power of God because he is our salvation.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Monday, November 1, 2021

November 1

Back at the cottage at the end of the lane, the weather was so lovely that I sat on my porch all afternoon. We’ve only lived here since May, so I haven’t been through the blooming season for all the trees near our property. I casually looked up from what I was reading and caught a glimpse of a tree in full bloom; not just any tree, one of my favorites because of its showy blossom, the Ceiba speciosa, the silk floss tree, and it was in my neighbor’s yard! I can gaze at its beauty without having to own it. Though this tree’s bloom is gorgeous, the tree's trunk and branches have these scary-looking thorns that protect it from anyone touching it. Why are some of the most beautiful flowers grown on trees and bushes with thorns? Maybe it’s so we won’t touch them because their process is not complete. A rose goes from a bud to a bloom that will open up to spectacular beauty, then becomes rose hips, an edible fruit. I’m not sure if the silk floss tree does the same thing, but for some reason, it has thorns to protect it.

Because we represent the beauty of Jesus and have accepted him as our Savior, we have a shield of protection to keep us from being snatched up by the devil for eternity. We are firmly attached to the branch and protected from pruning. The crown of thorns he wore when he went to the cross has become our guarantee of his protection. If you love Jesus, you are a delight and are beautiful to behold in the eyes of God.


For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, Hebrews 2:10-11

Sunday, October 31, 2021

October 31

Halloween is nothing more than a dance with the spirits of the dead and demons, with depictions of horror with gory masks and satanic rituals. If it were only about dressing up, I would probably like it. I love creating costumes and bringing storybook characters to life. One of my most memorable times was when we were on a crew for the Gasparilla parades, and I designed intricately detailed pirate costumes. That got old quickly, though; most wannabe pirates stayed drunk the entire time and barely stumbled down the parade route; on top of that, they were interacting with children. That wasn’t a good look for adults. When the devil draws you to participate in something that he fabricates, you must pay the price for your involvement. A good example is Hollywood; look at the price they pay for fame, the devil requires them to worship him, and in many cases, they can’t live with what they’ve done and have their lives shortened by their self-destructive behavior. 

Though many say that this day belongs to the devil, don’t believe it! This day and every day belong to God. As Christ-followers, we should use it as a day to pray for those afflicted by Satan and for God to recover the people who belong to him. Make the devil cringe by worshiping Jesus like never before!


As for my costume today, I will stay in my fatigues as I continue to battle the enemy to help bring salvation to as many as I can.


This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24