Saturday, October 29, 2022

October 29, 2022

Are you into Twitter? I'm not; however, now that people don't have to hold their tongue, it's not as dull as Facebook. I can't tell you how many times I've been shadow-banned or hidden because I used a word that got caught in Facebook's algorithm. Twitter followers don't have to disguise the meaning of what they are saying anymore, they can be frank, and I find that very refreshing. 

Did you know that Jesus did the same thing? He spoke in parables, figures of speech, and proverbs. Jesus knew his followers would understand him, but the Pharisees and Sadducees wouldn't comprehend as well as they did. He also knew they would try to shut him up, so he used carefully chosen words because it wasn't yet his time. As soon as Jesus began to speak plainly, they came after him. They couldn't handle the truth about who he was, but they knew. Caiaphas even said, "it is better for you that one man should die for the people." So that tells you they knew he was the Christ because only Jesus, who was sin-free, could die for the people as the one true sacrifice. 


If you want to see what it's like to have your freedom of speech back, go to Twitter and follow its main feed. 


“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. John 16:25

Friday, October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022

I woke up this morning with scripture on my mind. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” I had to look for it because I didn’t know where to find it in the scripture. Maybe God was reminding me that he speaks in many ways, and no matter how powerful the enemy’s presence is, his voice is stronger. 

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10


Nehemiah had just read the book of the law to the Israelites who had returned from captivity and were weeping because of their sin. But because it was a season of joy, he didn’t want them grieving. Yes, some things will make us cry, but we should remember where our strength comes from and wake up with joy in our hearts because he blessed us with salvation in Jesus. 


Our eyes can’t unsee the things we’ve seen, but we can turn and look to Jesus, and he will sanctify our hearts and give us the strength to continue through the joy we’ve found in him.

Thursday, October 27, 2022

October 27, 2022

 

You can feel the wickedness in the air. As Halloween approaches, the malevolent get restless and begin traipsing around the earth as the unsuspecting involve themselves in the party of demons. Why even give a moment of your time to their cause? My mother was right when she barred us from participating in such nonsense. They fill the air and intrude on my perception of the Holy Spirit; it happens every year at this time. I have a clear connection on biblical holidays and Saturdays, the Sabbath, and a stable connection on other days. Still, as this unholy day approaches, it’s as if someone is trying to talk while music blares. I can still hear him, but I must keep praying for clarity.

For this reason, I know that it’s not innocent; it’s a holiday well planned by the devil to distract you from the things of God and to make children fear. Teach your children to slay demons rather than fear them! Churches that participate aren’t doing anyone any favors, especially if the voice of the Holy Spirit is clouded by the presence of demons. Choose today whom you will serve.


“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

October 26, 2022

After spending several hours in the service department of my car dealership, my rattling seat is now fixed. Not because it bothered me but because it irritated my husband. I feel better now, too, because I don't have to hear him complain whenever he drives my car. Sometimes we do things we don't want to do so that those we love are comforted. 

This world is full of give and takes, but be careful of trying to please the world. If you've watched the news lately, you know that the world hates Christians. It loves its filthy lifestyle and feels like we should be accepting of it. I prefer to be hated than give them my approval of their debauchery. Their sick ideas are rampant throughout society, and nothing seems to stop them. It pleases me to have been chosen out of the world by Jesus, and because his Spirit lives in me, the world's excessive indulgence in sensual pleasure disturbs me and makes me cringe. You are chosen and loved; make your desire Jesus and leave the world behind.


“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

October 25, 2022

I'm usually pretty good at putting together furniture, but the cabinet I purchased as a closet came in a million pieces. I'm still not finished assembling it; I became exhausted last night and gave up, but I will complete it today. The instructions were easy, but the most challenging part was opening the boxes! Isn't that crazy? It's pretty impressive. It's all wood, no particle board, and it's the exact color I wanted. You never know what you'll get when ordering things online; reading the reviews is essential. 

I've read the reviews on Jesus, and it turns out he's worthy of following. The love he shows is overwhelming and encompasses every part of our being. However, we must surrender to him to partake in that everlasting love. It's not hard if we take small steps and build our relationship with him a little at a time. Though it seems like a monumental task, the steps are easy, and the outcome is worth it. Yes, it may feel hard to get into because Satan tries to glue the access shut, but once you find a small opening, the blessings pour out.


If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:10-11

Monday, October 24, 2022

October 24, 2022

Early yesterday morning, I went on a mission to collect flowers and branches for a fall arrangement. I had purchased several pumpkins for my family to try their hand a pumpkin carving. I'm not much into jack-o-lanterns because of their ties to Halloween, but the kids love the fun of using carving tools, and it gives them a creative outlet and it's also a good reason for the family to gather. After finishing her work, my sister-in-love had us over for a meal, and the fun began! There were pumpkin strings and seeds everywhere, but the kids had a blast! The truth is that we haven't spent a lot of time with Richard's sister and her family. Distance was a factor, but there was also an artificial distance, but after their father's passing, the truth was revealed through a paper trail of evidence showing his love. Now, the truth is no longer hidden in darkness, and we have become the family we've always dreamed of. It's incredible how lies and hidden truths can cause family separation. As a continuation of my post yesterday, sometimes it takes the seed falling to the ground before new life can spring up. 

It is the enemy's job to cause separation; it's his method of operation. However, it's up to us to uncover the truth and not allow another human to spoil our relationships through the manipulation of the enemy. God is just and all about family relationships. Get him involved; he will eventually correct the wrongs you have experienced.


For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17

Sunday, October 23, 2022

October 23, 2022

We had two of our grandsons over yesterday and took them to a fall festival. Our friend has a band, and we went to hear him. The boys had a blast. They got to run and dance and be free. It was more fun watching them than it was the band. After we got back home, I began preparing dinner. One of them noticed some seeds I had spread out to dry on the countertop, and he asked me why. I told him that one of my decorative gourds had rotted, and I decided to keep the seeds to try and grow them for next year. I was surprised at what I heard come out of his mouth. He said something to the effect of ‘does that mean that people who aren’t good can make something good.’ I was astonished at his insight and ability to make a comparative analysis. I shouldn’t have been surprised because he’s a brilliant child. What he said is true; though you may have a less-than-ideal parent or even a downright incompetent parent, you can be good. What’s even better is, because of your experience, God can use you to bring others into the kingdom of heaven through Jesus. Yes, the seeds from that rotten gourd will produce something beautiful next year when I plant them, and many will be blessed because I chose to save its seeds rather than throw the entire thing away. Never let your history determine your future.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24