Saturday, January 22, 2022

January 22, 2022

Jesus wept. John 11:35. Why did Jesus weep? I think I’ve figured it out. Other theologians may have a different option, but I am excited about my answer. 

Let’s think about it for a minute; Jesus, who is God in the flesh, cried at the death of someone he loved, and indeed Lazarus loved him back because Jesus called him “our friend.” He wept as he neared the tomb. Lazarus has been dead for four days, and he already knew it. Where was Lazarus' spirit for those four days? Jesus knew he was about to yank him out of paradise to live, once again, and bring him back to a place where the devil is around to torment and challenge him at every step. Can you imagine how many people Lazarus brought to know Jesus after experiencing Heaven? I’ll bet he had a following of his own. Jesus didn’t weep over his death; he cried because he was about to put his spirit back into his body to live on earth again.


Lovers of Jesus don’t mourn over the death of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as others do; we grieve for ourselves because they’ve left us behind.

Friday, January 21, 2022

January 21, 2022

Are you there yet? Have you had enough of the fake preachers and distrust the words coming from their mouths? I have! The enemy has infiltrated every aspect of society, so what makes us think he hasn’t sullied the schools that teach our preachers? There are good ones mixed in with the bad, but I’m having difficulty telling them apart lately. Even minor inaccuracies could cause some to turn away or even cause innocent people to repeat their lies. You must know the Word of God! Catching it on the fly is not good enough. Spend time reading and studying daily. When you engage with the Holy Spirit, he will guide you to the truth and help you avoid being misled. 

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.  Revelation 2:2

Thursday, January 20, 2022

January 20, 2022

God has a purpose for death. It’s not for the dead; it’s for the living. Miles and years may have separated families, but death can reunite, rekindle, and heal. I know that doesn’t always happen; it can also cause division and pain if minds don’t come together in agreement. The broken seek to divide, but those who are united in the love of Jesus are equally yoked and can put away childish arguments and pull together for the sake of the memories of the loved one who was lost. Isn’t that true in most situations? The broken divide, but those healed in Jesus unite. Pay attention to yourself; if you see a pattern of divisiveness in your life, you may need to seek Jesus to heal your pain. 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022

When extraordinary circumstances arrive at the doorstep, the human acts in such a way to meet the expectations they present. I know this is true because I’ve watched as my husband and his sister have delayed the grieving process to handle the business at hand; checking off the boxes on the to-do list of funeral arrangements while continuing to keep a business running that they were thrust into, all the while still managing their businesses. The appearance is as though chaos is the new normal, but the reality is, it’s only temporary. Life and death are now tangled together in a beautiful dance that will eventually lead to a memory explosion; the living will remember the deceased in the glorious light he once held, all while making new memories as family and friends come together to pay tribute to a soul that made lasting impressions on everyone he met. 

Death is sure; life is not guaranteed. God created all of this but didn’t leave us alone; he gave us Jesus, who did not escape death but changed it, so we no longer have reason to fear it, and he holds the keys to the everlasting. If you are unsure which direction you are going upon your death, seek Jesus now because, at any moment, God could call you home.


When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Revelation 1:17-18

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

 

At long last, my father-in-law, Leroy Gonzalez, Jr., lost his battle with heart disease. The hearts of his children, grandchildren, and loved ones are broken. However, we do not grieve as others do because he accepted Jesus as his Savior about a year ago. He wasn’t a perfect Christ-follower, none of us are, but he knew he needed Jesus. He was a hard worker and experienced what it was like to be poor, so he fixed his mind to never stop until he achieved every goal he had set. He fought hard to reach the pinnacle of human existence and dreamed big. He enjoyed his work more than anyone I’ve ever seen and worked up until he took his last breath. The riches and lifestyle Leroy worked so hard to achieve, were forgotten when he took his first breath in heaven, and now he can finally say, “Thank you, Jesus. You’ve fulfilled all of my dreams and restored my soul!” 

We miss him already.


He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:3

Monday, January 17, 2022

January 17, 2022

Today’s message is to provoke thought.

We must consider information uncovered in the Bible. For example, the Israelites followed a cloud by day and a fire by night; both represented the presence of God. So when we venture into the New Testament, what changed to make us think that those two clues would have a different meaning. Let’s consider the cloud and become rational in our thinking. If a cloud represents the presence of God, then after the resurrection when Jesus was taken into the clouds, wouldn’t that mean he was enveloped in God?


And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Acts 1:9


The part where it says “lifted up” also has the meaning: to exalt. So, when Jesus returns, will he come exalted and enveloped in the Spirit of God? Of course! But, will we visibly see him coming in the clouds? Seriously, it can be all the above! But another question I have is if the earth is round like we’ve been taught, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, how will we all see him at once, when some of us will be on the other side of the earth? God is big and can accomplish this extraordinary task, but my finite mind seeks to grasp something rational. God is not ordinary; for goodness sakes, he created everything we know; who am I to question? You may think you know the answer, but I’m trying to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.


Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.  Revelation 1:7

Sunday, January 16, 2022

January 16, 2022

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Instead of pursuing goals that lead to material wealth, why not go after the precious gifts only attainable through Jesus? When he went to the cross, he promised to cleanse anyone who believed in him of all unrighteousness; that includes wounds left behind from past sin and the sinful actions of others who caused you pain. He stops the gashes from bleeding, heals them, and gives you a testimony to share with others who are bleeding, and that, my friends, leads to peace, and satisfies desires you never knew you had. You cannot get that from worldly possessions. 

How do you get there:


I wish I could teach you what I already know. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to put the Father first. Spend time with him as soon as your eyes pop open in the morning; you’re rested, and your mind is fresh; give him the best part of your day, even if it’s ritualistic prayer. Do whatever it takes to cultivate a loving relationship with him. Then, one day, you’ll see the precious gifts he has waiting for you because you sought first the kingdom of God.


But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33