Saturday, March 18, 2023

March 18, 2023

We have cameras around our property because when we first moved in, there were several incidents of people skulking around our barns and garages, and at least one made off with some loot. Now, rather than seeing robbers on the cameras, we get to see wildlife which I find fascinating. We have a couple of coyotes that pass through the property occasionally. Two of our neighbors have chickens, and I expect they are on their way to try and break into their cages. We don’t have anything for them to eat, so they pass on through. 

The enemy causes the battles that disrupt your life to distract you and steal your peace. When he decides to take a swipe at you, he will fail to take you out; nevertheless, he will try. However, we have the ultimate protection of Jesus, and we sleep in our armor! He may leave his footprints on our property, but because we don’t have anything for him to eat, he passes on through. Stand firm; God will have the victory!


For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:19-20

Friday, March 17, 2023

March 17, 2023

I just discovered that one of my lime tree's leaves could be used as a seasoning. I have to admit that I thought it was possible when I checked them for bugs and was astonished that the aroma tantalized my senses, but I never considered using it in my cooking. The things you learn on YouTube! I've started looking into edible perennial plants that can tolerate our Florida heat and drought. I'm amazed to find many plants that fit that description. The more I learn, the more I realize that God thinks of everything; he provides for our needs and never leaves us without options. Imagine growing food that doesn't need care! The earth's powerful beings have suppressed our knowledge, so we need to seek ways to become self-sufficient in case our supply of food and finances becomes halted. Even if that never happens, wouldn't it feel good to know you could survive if it does? We've become so comfortable in our easy lifestyles that we may need to reassess our situation, dig into ways to provide for ourselves, and become less vulnerable. It's just a thought. 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Thursday, March 16, 2023

March 16, 2023

I'm standing firm on the mission statement I made years ago: "Training believers to break bonds and live free." Many of us are still bound by our past. When Jesus saved us because we accepted him as our Savior and committed to trusting him, he gave us a clean slate. We no longer have to feel guilty about our past, but it's harder for some of us to let it go because its pain still lingers. Years ago, when I decided to work on myself, it took time, but with the help of the Holy Spirit reminding me of the things still lingering and buried in my mind from the past, he helped me pray my way through it. It feels good to be set free. 


My ministry is to believers; however, Paul broke new ground and entered into areas that had never heard of Jesus. Can you imagine finding someone nowadays who has absolutely no knowledge of Jesus? Christmas alone tells anyone listening who he is, even though most people ignore the significance of the celebration. Because Paul started from scratch, he had to cover a lot of material to bring the church into compliance with the Word of God; that could be why he wrote so many letters. 


If you haven't started cleaning up your wrong thinking, start today. Talk to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will guide you to the truth about who God says you are. 


and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” Romans 15:20-21

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

I’m so excited about growing my own food. I’ve harvested a few green beans and expect to pick squash in a few days. Almost everything I planted was low in sugar until yesterday; I planted sweet potatoes. Hopefully, their high fiber content will help counterbalance the carbohydrates. They should do pretty well because they love the sun and the heat we have here in Florida. I try to be careful about what I eat because I don’t want to be overweight and because sugar seems to slow me down. I love food; it’s my weakness. Limiting my carbohydrate intake allows me to eat as much as I want of other foods, which makes me very happy. However, I don’t condemn others for eating sugar and carbs, though indulging may be a sin for me because it’s part of me taking up my cross daily. I like to carb-load occasionally, too.

There are a lot of limits to what a person can eat in the Jewish faith, so Paul wrote a portion of the letter to the Romans about them condemning others for what they choose to eat. God made everything clean; eat whatever you want, but be careful that your food doesn’t affect your health. 


I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. Romans 14:14-15

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023

If ever there was a time for these verses, it is now!

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11-12


Too many Christians are still asleep, and it’s’ time for their slumber to end. We all need to engage in the current spiritual battles and the ones to come. Just pull up one headline, and you will see that the world is getting restless, and it seems the time for the Lord’s return is nearing. Put on the armor of light and let it shine for all to see; just admitting that you trust Jesus will sometimes cause a battle to begin. Be brave, mighty warriors of God! Bring as many as you can into the saving grace of God. Time is short, but salvation lasts into eternity. 

Monday, March 13, 2023

March 13, 2023

Last night, we went to dinner at a restaurant we’d never been to. We thought it was Mexican food, but it was Colombian. Rather than leaving, we decided to try it. It was still Spanish style, but we weren’t sure what to order. After sitting there for some time, we realized we had entered a different culture; it was almost as if we were in a foreign country. I only noticed one other couple that wasn’t Spanish because they didn’t speak broken English like most people there. The food was good, just different than we expected. 

The smiles on faces spoke volumes. People were enjoying one another’s company. They were probably happy to eat an authentic meal without cooking it at home. It’s nice to embrace a culture that is different from our own. Sometimes we need to slow down, take in the moment, and observe others genuinely loving one another; it’s a change of pace from all the negativity that seems to rule the day. Love God and love others. It’s not that hard to do.


Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10

Sunday, March 12, 2023

March 12, 2023

Romans 12 is my favorite chapter in the book of Romans. It covers how you should act as a Christ-follower. It is a checklist of behaviors you can go through to see if you measure up. It first explains that our lives are meant to be a living sacrifice as a form of spiritual worship. Did you ever consider the way you live to be a form of worship to God? Our entire lives are to become so wrapped up in God that every move we make indicates our loyalty. He wants us to live for him becoming separated from the things of this world. 

Years ago, I set my mind to undoing anything I had come to believe wasn’t the truth, things I picked up on and was taught that may not conform to the teaching of the Bible. I considered the things I believed and measured them against biblical truths. You would be surprised at how many things we were taught aren’t true. You must ask yourself why you believe the way you believe and correct your thinking; that’s how you hold every thought captive. You will be surprised at how good it feels to be set free from all the lies. 


I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2