Saturday, December 18, 2021

December 18

It’s been an interesting week in the rental business. I don’t think we’ve ever had a week where three refrigerators have broken down all at once. Thankfully, the repairs were minor. Come to think about it, last week, we had to purchase a new refrigerator for our condo because it wasn’t cooling properly. That makes four! When I see things repeated, my ears perk up because God may be speaking to me through my circumstances, so I need to pay attention. A refrigerator can symbolize the heart, even a cold heart. I don’t think it’s about a “cold” heart because there were issues with two of them becoming warm. The other two were leaking onto the floor. I have some digging to do, and if you have some clues to the meaning, feel free to expand. 

The point of telling you this is to learn to pay attention to the things going on around you; there is a reason for everything. We’re not a bowling lane with the bumpers up, keeping us out of the gutter and causing us to bounce off the sides until life is over; everything has meaning. God will speak to you through your circumstances. When you recognize situations repeating, you must become a detective and look for the point. 


My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Friday, December 17, 2021

December 17

The Book of James was a letter addressed to the Jewish Christians scattered throughout the nations; that’s us! Don’t forget, if you aren’t part of the lineage, the Bible says God has adopted you into his family. I mention this because James says that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. Isn’t that interesting? I tend to put biblical characters on a pedestal, especially Elijah, because of the miracles attributed to him and because he never died. James reminds us that Elijah’s faith was strong, and when he prayed, God answered his prayers because of that faith. It wasn’t only his faith but his fervent prayer - he prayed with passion. 

So today, I ask you to pray fervently like Elijah; for God to overcome the evil overtaking societies throughout the world. They are taking advantage of the fear they created to oppress the people through tyrannical lockdowns. Though we may not feel like we are the nature of Elijah, the Bible clearly states that we are. Become part of the fight against evil through passionate prayers.


Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. James 5:17

Thursday, December 16, 2021

December 16

The penance for the government officials who have used the money of their constituents to become wealthy will soon come to fruition, and they will find themselves facing the wrath of God. We know who they are. They’ve never worked an honest day in their lives and amassed millions and even billions of dollars off the backs of hard-working people who do not resist them. These people have sold their souls, rejected God, and will pay the price for their greed. God knows who they are, knows their character, and even wrote about them here in James. I am convinced that we will begin to see their pitiful lives crumble before us as God unveils all of their corruption. The swamp he is draining is in every country on earth; a slime pit of disgusting creatures will crawl out only to face his wrath. We, God’s chosen, will watch with our eyes and see the recompense of the wicked, and we will plunder their wealth and live in peace. Our job is to continue to pray that we escape the madness and that anyone who wants a way out will reject Satan and his evil and will seek Jesus for salvation.

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. James 5:1-3

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

December 15

Wow! It’s only ten days until Christmas! I feel like I just decorated my house, and it’s almost time to take it down. Is Christmas ever over for a Christian? I don’t think so. We celebrate Jesus every day, or at least we should; what we miss is the festive decor that comes with Christmas. The truth is, we wouldn’t appreciate it as much if we kept our homes decorated for this holiday every day. It brings a little joy to an otherwise drab time of year, with shorter days and dreary weather. 

Winter is coming; as soon as it hits, the days will slowly become longer, our daylight will return, and then spring will appear. We are in a season, and it will pass soon. Be patient like the farmer who waits for the early and late rains, and prepare your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Whatever difficulty you may be facing right now, remember, it's only a season, and seasons pass quickly. 


Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-8

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

December 14

If ever there was a time in history that we can honestly say we are unsure what tomorrow will bring, it is now. The biblical times we have anticipated seem to be on our doorstep. It may seem like worldly turmoil; I guarantee you it’s more than that. Read Zephaniah when you have time; it’s only three short chapters, but you will see that it’s playing out like a movie. When you read it, remember that we are the children of God because he adopted us into the family through our faith in Jesus. We are the remnant of Judah; that’s good news for us. Think about those who worship Satan; Hollywood, politicians, your average uninformed person, large corporations, and many others. They will face the consequences of God’s wrath, not us, and we will plunder what’s left after God pours out his anger. 

In chapter 1, verse 5, he mentions Milcom, another name for Molech, the idol that followers sacrifice children to; you’ve seen it depicted as a goat/man-like creature with horns. You don’t have to look very hard to find out who worships such evil. Keep your eyes shut if you want to live in bliss, but if you're going to participate in the most exciting time in history, dig into some of the so-called theories; it’s eye-opening, and you won’t be able to shut them again, and that’s a good thing.


Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:13-14

Monday, December 13, 2021

December 13

Have you ever looked into the face of a stranger and had them glare back at you with contempt? I’ve had it happen to me a lot lately. I’m a pretty friendly person, and I smile at people. The media have tried their best to divide us into opposing groups; don’t let it affect you. Though they’ve given me a dirty look and held a straight face without smiling, I still smile at them. It’s then that I know they’ve fallen for the narrative, and I feel sorry for them. I also know they lack salvation because anyone who loves Jesus loves others and shows it. If you’re reading this, you are not that person, but I want you to keep smiling at the people that you know oppose you. It’s your duty, and it shows you genuinely care about people. Maybe they will soften up and smile back, or maybe not; smile anyway! Eventually, they will see the truth, but until that time comes, be Jesus to those who don’t know him.

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7

Sunday, December 12, 2021

December 12

This morning, I was thinking about my wanting to live at the beach. It’s something I’ve desired for as long as I can remember. My prayer was always, “Lord, I want to live on the beach, and I would be happy even if it’s just a shack.” I never expected to ever have a place at the beach, but somehow God worked it out for me. I’ve been at the beach for the past week and never set foot on the sand; in fact, I barely moved off the couch. God knows us more than we know ourselves, and maybe we ask for things we think we want, and he gives us a taste of what we ask to show us we thought wrong. Now I question whether I still have that desire. I’m certainly not ungrateful, and I love getting away for a bit of time, but he has shown me things to make me question my heart. Now, I pray that he shows me the truth about my heart's desires, that which is in me that hasn’t revealed itself. Today, if you haven’t already asked, ask God to help you see the truth about your desires and for him to show you the depths of your heart. I believe you will find true contentment if you listen to him.

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:2-3