Saturday, November 12, 2022

November 12, 2022

With the political atmosphere not changing as much as we had hoped, it's hard not to concern ourselves with what may become of our country. However, the trials and tribulations the world is facing are not for us. It may impact us, but we are not the target because we have put our trust in Jesus. It's the evildoers who need to be scared. Tribulation may encourage more people to trust Jesus. We've all been through trials that helped us look to him as our source and to trust him with our lives. With all the chatter we hear on television and social media, it's easy to become fearful. Take a look at what the Bible says about fear:

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:17-18

There is no reason to fear. When fear begins to overtake you, reach out to Jesus, who will comfort you with his love and calm you with his promises. Jesus has perfected love, so we can trust him to soothe our weary minds.

Friday, November 11, 2022

November 11, 2022

Some people are hard to love. My immediate thought when I encounter hateful people who seem unloveable is that they don’t know Jesus. They may know of him but lack a relationship with him. Don’t make the mistake of believing someone knows Jesus because you see them sitting in a pew at church. Our outward sign that we love God is that we love others; that shows that his spirit resides within us. God has given me the ability, as I’ve grown closer to him, to look at someone I disagree with or whom I find unintelligent and see where the devil has misled them. These people are valuable tools in the hands of evildoers, but they are also someone we should target and try to bring into the saving knowledge of Jesus. If God has hardened their hearts, then at least we tried, and perhaps we planted a few seeds so when he allows the truth to penetrate their hearts, we will have done our part to help bring them to salvation. It’s never wrong to try.

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:6-8

Thursday, November 10, 2022

November 10, 2022

If you’ve read 1 John, then you have read this verse as I have, but for some reason, I never noticed it until today. I guess I ramble on past it. If you are living with guilt from your past, you need to memorize it!

for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20


When Jesus died on the cross, he forgave all of our sins, not just the ones we’ve forgotten. He has also forgiven the sins we hang onto and beat ourselves up over. Read what he says about letting go of that sin:


Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:21-22


If you are having trouble letting go of your past, it’s time to stand before the throne of God and ask him to help you release your pain so that you can move on with your life. He wants you to give it to him. It even says he will reward you by answering your prayers! Today is the day you defeat the enemy’s stronghold by asking God to help you have mercy on yourself. It’s not enough to say it; you must do it!


Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

November 9, 2022

Here is a bit of truth that struck me as I was reading this morning:

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 1 John 2:28

We know from prophecy that the return of Jesus is close. That information gives us more reason to stay under his cover and follow his commands. Imagine feeling ashamed rather than the feeling of joy in his presence because of our sin. I want the feeling of elation to overwhelm me and not fear him because I've made worldly affairs more important than him. Hold him close, worship him with all your heart, and don't let the day's distractions draw you in and cause you to become separated from our one true love, Jesus.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

November 8, 2022

“If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” 1 John 1:6 

I believe many politicians are being blackmailed and are indebted to the devil because of their past behavior. They don’t want their illicit activity disclosed to the public, so they play along and do whatever the devil tells them, even if they run our country into the ground. Today, as we try to turn our country around, we must vote as if God is standing over our shoulders because he is. Make sure you choose the candidate who will continue to keep us free; right now, freedom is weighing in the balance, and you could tip the scales in either direction. We are at a turning point; our way of life and liberty to worship God publicly is at stake. 


You cannot say you have fellowship with Jesus and vote for a murderer; the person who does that walks in darkness, and they are a liar. Get a sample ballot and do a little homework and pray before you vote today. Those of us, who genuinely love Jesus, are counting on you.

Monday, November 7, 2022

November 7, 2022

It’s the Monday after a time change, everyone is tired, and it’s dark. Of all the things we asked our government representatives to do, stopping the time from changing seems minor. But they have yet to fulfill our wishes. If they can’t get that right, why do we expect them to change anything significant for the better? Our only hope is Jesus. He is the foremost authority we can count on. Until we understand that he is in control, we will continue to feel the chaos of worldly affairs, including the government manipulating the time to assert its authority and play God. No matter what they do, God still controls the time. Does this cause anxiety? Yes! But it does no good to become overwhelmed by it because it doesn’t even add an hour to our lives; it’s just a game. Rest in Jesus, and you will find peace.

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Matthew 6:27

Sunday, November 6, 2022

November 6, 2022

Jesus provides the fish, but we are to bring them to the shore. 

He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. John 21:6

Jesus gives us everything we need to be fishers of men. The fish are out there, so he provides us with the knowledge we need to find them, the tools to catch them, and the strength to bring them to the shore. 

Last night we went with some friends to the Straz Performing Arts Center to see a show. It was fantastic; I loved all the dazzling costumes and the music. While we waited in line to get our car, we noticed some people getting ready for a drag show. It was hard not to look at the men prancing around in women’s attire and their exaggerated hair and makeup. To say that this world has gone mad is an understatement. What was once hidden in darkness is now brought into the light for all to see. What has happened to these people to make them like this? Yes, I get it. It’s an art form, but it was almost obscene. It’s so uncomfortable to watch that I would prefer they stay hidden from my sight, but now it’s easy to see the lost souls that need Jesus, and it’s heartbreaking.

Has the enemy tortured their minds so much that they are a lost cause? Not a chance! It may be a bit harder for us to want to bring them to Christ, but nothing is impossible for God. As Jesus said, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” 

Go fishing!