Saturday, August 13, 2022

August 13, 2022

You have to pay your dues. I read a meme that one of my friends posted yesterday, and it said everything you need to know about the trials you may be going through, especially if you are a servant of the Lord. 


"Anointing didn't take David straight to the palace, it returned him to the sheep pen. Anointing doesn't bypass process, it binds you to it. It's dangerous to be released without bearing responsibility. It's dangerous to become a King without first being a Keeper."


Before being taken captive by Babylon, God told Jeremiah to prophesy to Judah and their allies:


Thus the LORD said to me: "Make yourself straps and yoke-bars, and put them on your neck." Jeremiah 27:2


God warned them to accept their captivity, or otherwise, he would destroy them. Wow! God wasn't playing any games. He is the same God we worship, and he doesn't change! God puts us through a rigorous process, so we become obedient to him. He molds us into valuable tools for his kingdom. It might be a good idea to recognize this process; maybe you will get through your trials more quickly if you are cognizant of the molding God has you going through. God also warned them to stop listening to the lying prophets telling them what their itchy ears wanted to hear. Being a Christ-follower may not be easy, but the rewards are incredible if we submit to his process! Remember what Jesus said about his yoke:


Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Friday, August 12, 2022

August 12, 2022

They tried to kill the messenger, but Ahikam intervened on behalf of Jeremiah, and they let him live. He had stood right in the court of the Lord's house with a message to the people of God from him that they didn't like, and rather than repent of their evil ways, they got angry and threatened to kill him. Is the warning he gave them something we need to hear? As Christ-followers, are we doing things that go against the things of God that he has put in place to keep up from harm? Jesus told us to love God and people; are we doing that with all our hearts? Are we engaging in a lifestyle that reflects those around us rather than following the ways of Jesus? If you were standing in front of Jesus and he began assessing the things you do, would he be pleased? 

Think about some of the things you engage in daily that could be disappointing to the Lord. Maybe you read astrology, get lost in salacious books, or look at pornography. What if it's simpler than that; perhaps you are portraying a blissful lifestyle on social media when it doesn't reflect the truth. Isn't that a lie? What about coveting? Wow! I may have forgotten about that commandment. This post is hitting home for me today! What about Saturday the Sabbath? Do you keep it holy? The point is, stay repentant! It's nearly impossible to keep the commandments strictly; Jesus knew we couldn't do it, so he chose to die for us. He covered all our sins, past and future, but we still need to reach out to him and ask his forgiveness every day.


“Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the LORD all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word. It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds. Jeremiah 26:2-3

Thursday, August 11, 2022

August 11, 2022

The world is in turmoil, but we are not of this world. We will not receive God’s wrath; we are under his grace because we trust in Jesus. The wicked should be scared, and I believe they are because they sense their doom on the horizon. Look how hard they are pressing in against the ordinary people, trying their best to silence us, but we are riding the train that will run over them! I’m so thankful and happy that I have Jesus! Pain is coming, but not for us! 

The clamor will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD has an indictment against the nations; he is entering into judgment with all flesh, and the wicked he will put to the sword, declares the LORD.’ Jeremiah 25:31


Though these scriptures come from the days of Jeremiah, the warning still rings true for today, and anyone who doesn’t listen to our warnings to seek Jesus before it’s too late, I expect, will get caught in the crossfire between God and Satan. Here is a word for them:


You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although the LORD persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets, saying, ‘Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and evil deeds, and dwell upon the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers from of old and forever. Jeremiah 25:4-5

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

August 10, 2020

We have several duplexes under contract. We’ve offered them as a package, which makes it easier for us, but can become confusing for the title agent. I spent some time in their office yesterday trying to help them understand so that the pro-rated rents would come out right on the closing statement. It was a mess in their mind until I explained it. It makes sense to them now and will give us confidence in their numbers. Sometimes there is a simple answer for the chaos we experience; a misunderstanding, hurt feelings, a comma when there should have been a period, you name it; and the results can come out much differently at its cause. In the case of the closing, there were too many unexplained papers. I expect that much of the upheaval the world is experiencing is a product of something simple. The enemy comes in, puts his spin on our troubles, complicates it, and causes confusion. When misunderstandings begin, know that it is not from the Lord. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth and for him to sort it out, so you have clarity. Don’t get confused; wait on the Lord to give you the answer.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

August 9, 2022

Things aren't always what they seem. When the Chaldeans took Judah into captivity, at first glance, you would think God was punishing them and had set them up for death. It ended up being more like a spanking rather than a death sentence. God had a heart for them and was turning their love back to him and would eventually bring them back into their land. The ones left in Judah faced more trouble than the captives and probably even death. Consider what we are seeing now, like the FBI's raid on Mar-a-Lago and the additional IRS agents hired to take what's left of our money so they can replace the billions they've given to Ukraine. Maybe these things will shed some light on the government's corruption and wake those still sleeping. Perhaps what appears to be punishment is merely God's hand at work exposing the evil within our country. Some things are so unbelievable and almost comical that it makes me think we are watching a movie and the characters playing their role are bad actors. Don't get too anxious about what you see; we are on the right side of history. Relax, sit back, and eat your popcorn. It's going to be okay.

I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart. Jeremiah 24:6-7

Monday, August 8, 2022

August 8, 2022

Did you know that God sent the prophets of the Bible to turn people away from doing evil? They were not fortune tellers like we see on television and in some pulpits sent to give you a personal word. God sent prophets to warn his people of the pending disaster that would come upon them if they didn’t repent and turn from their evil ways. Though I believe if we tune in to hear his voice, he speaks to us to help others who need to feel God’s love or to show us who needs help. If you are walking in the ways of the Lord, doing what’s right in his eyes, and you hear the words of a prophecy, those words are not for you but are for those doing evil in the name of the Lord, though we can benefit from hearing them; to help keep us on the straight and narrow path. Be careful who you listen to; use discernment to assess the intentions of “so-called” prophets; many are out to line their pockets at your expense; God will deal harshly with them if they don’t turn away from their evil practices. If you need to hear a word from God, the best place to get one is from your Bible. If you comb through the pages daily, you will get a word from him every day because it is the Living Word!

“Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:11


In the prophets of Samaria I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.” Jeremiah 23:13-14

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Salvation

 I’ve noticed a lot of people dying lately. I’ve been to more funerals this year than my entire life. I thought it might be a good time to put this out there.

Faith in Jesus is the only way into Heaven. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY! You cannot get there by being a good person. God only allows entry into Heaven to individuals who have trusted their lives to Jesus. Some of the people who’ve died recently were saved by their faith, but others, I’m not sure if he knew them. The most dreadful thing to hear Jesus say when you pass from this life is: “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:23

I guarantee you will hear those words if you die without trusting your life to him.

Don’t let another minute go by without Jesus in your life. Death comes to everyone, and none of us know when our time is up. Ask now for Jesus to become the Lord of your life, to forgive you of your sins. He will accept anyone who asks. I know what you’re thinking; it can’t be that easy, but it is! And, believe me, it’s worth the change of direction. The Bible says in Romans 9:10, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” 

If you have no idea how to pray, pray this:

Heavenly Father, I recognize that I am lost in my sin. I need a Savior. I accept the sacrifice of your son Jesus, who laid down His life for me. This day I choose to believe in him and ask for forgiveness of my sins. I ask Jesus to reign as Lord of my life forever. Thank You for drawing me to you and accepting me as your child. Amen.

August 7, 2022

I spent half my morning looking for an extension cord and a longer charger cable for my keyboard. I never found one, and I had to use the short charger, which required me to change my position on the couch, which was utterly uncomfortable. I failed to keep it properly charged, so I wasn't prepared when it went dead this morning. I shouldn't have allowed it to go for so long without a recharge. God forbid I should have to write my blog by hand; that would be so inconvenient and impractical for a digital post. 

When was the last time you recharged your spiritual life? Do you pray daily? Do you read your Bible? The best way to hear God's voice is by reading your Bible. Suppose you don't engage daily and communicate with him. In that case, your spiritual battery will run down, life will become uncomfortable, and you will waste a lot of time trying to catch up to where you should be in your relationship with him. Make sure you keep your spiritual battery charged and ready so that when life becomes difficult, you are prepared and can hear the direction of the Lord.


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