October 1, 2022

Last night, we finally saw the devastation left behind by Hurricane Ian when our internet came back on. You don't realize how lame the television news is until that's all you have for information. Sanibel was a yearly destination for my daughter and me. We got to know many people in the sea shelling community and would meet up with them during a shell show in March. Our hearts are broken over so much loss. 

I've seen photos of Little Gasparilla Island, where I once owned a condo and my sister has a home, and the island is also in shambles. Thankfully my sister's house was spared, but the building where my condo was located received a lot of damage, and the entire top story of my friend's condo got ripped off. I was worried about a few people I knew who rode out the storm on the Little Gasparilla, and in Ft. Myers, they all survived, thankfully, but many others weren't so fortunate. 

I noticed that many of the people we saw rescued had stayed behind because of their pets; those people are being left with little choice; we need to be more accommodating, so they won't be forced to choose their pets over their life. That's the kind of love people don't understand about Jesus or how he could give up his life for us. These people are a prime example of his type of love; he loves us like those people love their pets and are willing to die for them rather than become separated. Keep praying for your unsaved loved ones that the Holy Spirit will draw them. Their life could end without prior notice and separate them from Jesus, the one who loves them the most. 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 

September 30, 2022

We’ve been without power and the internet for a few days. I feel like it may have been a prescribed rest from the Lord. Even though I didn’t post my devotional yesterday, I wrote it, but God’s work never stops. Hopefully, you will find it somewhere in your news feed today. Even though I know this may be a lame comparison, it occurred to me that because the internet is not physical to us, though I know there are technicians who must work on it somewhere, it is similar to the Holy Spirit. It is full of information and help. You can’t see it, but your devices know it’s there because that power keeps them functional. Because we had no internet, my tools sat on the counter for days and was rent useless, except for my Bible app. We need to consider people who don’t believe in Jesus the same way. They have no power and lack the information feed coming from God. Our hearts should break for them because they lack the depth of knowledge we have because of the Holy Spirit. That’s why it’s important to keep trying to help people leave their past behind and set their sights on Jesus. They don’t know what they are missing, but we know. Please continue to do your best to help them see the light so they can become helpful tools for Jesus.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63

September 29, 2022

The threat of Hurricane Ian has passed the State of Florida. However, all of our communication is down. Watching the storm's path on television, my family, Dad, Mom, sister, and brother and their families experienced the eye. I know of others who rode out the storm on a barrier island that took a direct hit; I even know of a friend who stayed in her mobile home near where it came on shore. I'm concerned about how they fared. However, I am comforted knowing that Jesus was with my family and my friend through the storm. I feel the most concern for the people who stayed on the island; I don't know them very well, so I'm unsure of their salvation, and the last post I saw was during the storm where they said, "we are getting hammered" by the wind. My location was spared the brunt of the storm, but we will probably have to deal with water and wind damage; it's still too early to know; it's only 6 am. 

There is no excuse for people in the United States not knowing Jesus. Unfortunately, anyone who dies without him has rejected him and will pay the price in eternity. If people lose everything they have but escape with their lives, they have much to be thankful for. Those who live through a storm with Jesus are fortunate even if they die.

The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. John 6:18-21

September 28, 2022

The preparation for our fall garden is well underway. The Holy Spirit brought to my attention the time and energy it takes to cultivate the ground. A few weeks ago, my husband used a tilling attachment on a piece of equipment to dig up a plot of land. He let it sit for a week or so and then tilled it again. He started preparing a few rows, then on Monday, I finished them. There was a lot of work that we needed to do before we planted any seeds. Preparing to minister and bring the message of salvation in Jesus is the same. You must put in the effort to cultivate the ground you plan on planting seeds. Don’t get me wrong, you can plant seeds anywhere, but if you want to harvest an abundant crop of souls, you will need to do some work in preparation.

First and foremost, you must have a relationship with Jesus. Your equipment must be in working order to plow the ground; equip yourself with prayer and scripture. You don’t want to waste the seed in poor soil; cultivate the relationship; the seeds you plant will be more likely to grow if the person you’re ministering to trusts you. After you hoe the rows, begin planting the seeds. Water, weed, and watch them grow. Time is short; start your garden now.

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”  Matthew 13:23

September 27, 2022

Not only are we in the cone of uncertainty for Hurricane Ian, but according to the latest trajectory, the eye of the storm will pass right over my house! Of course, that could change anytime, but we are braced for the worse and pray for the best. Here are my thoughts about this storm; if I pray for its path to change, someone else will suffer, and I don't want anyone to suffer damage. I've resolved to pray for the protection of my family and the people that are in its path. It doesn't look like it's going to fizzle out anytime soon. I only hope the meaning of its name has some power.

Origin: Ian is a Scottish name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious."

We know God is gracious and are thankful for his protection. If there is physical damage to our homes, he has given us the capability to make repairs. My prayers are for our bodies and that no one is hurt. So today, we will batten down the hatches and pray, remembering God is gracious. If you could pray with us, that would be great.

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18

September 26, 2022

If you haven’t already acknowledged God and offered him praise and worship on his holy Feast of Trumpets, which began at sunset last night, now would be a good time to do that. This feast lasts until sunset tomorrow. 

The following scriptures are the ones given as excuses for Christians not to acknowledge the biblical feasts:

*Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Colossians 2:16-17

*One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. Romans 14:5-6

At no point do any of these verses say that we shouldn’t celebrate these feasts. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:8, “Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.“ Is there a reason for this deception? Was the Roman emperor, Constantine, trying to cleanse us of all Jewish traditions and replace them with a mix of pagan and Christian traditions? That certainly seems to be true. We need to purge paganism and bring back authentic godly celebrations. And, like Paul says, rid ourselves of the old leaven.

September 25, 2022

Do you ever make plans, but something comes up, and those plans are changed? It happens to me all the time, but yesterday’s change of plans was different. My husband’s partner in a business venture invited us to join him for lunch at the last minute. He is a godly Christian man who doesn’t hesitate to reach out to God in prayer for everything, which is great, being our mode of transportation was his helicopter! Believe me; I was praying too! Even though I was hesitant, because he’s an older man, it was quite a fantastic experience. Before going to lunch, we landed in the middle of nowhere on some property he had just purchased. It was gorgeous! Then we flew to an airport where we had lunch. The view from up high was phenomenal! What’s interesting is that I wasn’t fearful, only concerned. I had an amazing peace surrounding me. Was it because of the prayer? Did the Father want me to see what he sees from on high? The lesson I learned from this is: don’t jump off the pinnacle and expect God’s angels to save you, but when it’s your time, only God can call you home.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21