Saturday, June 3, 2023

June 3, 2023

There is much to be concerned about when public officials seem to be given over to the holders of the almighty dollar, who use the power of their money to influence and control those officials. They spend money they don’t have, then hire more agents to try and collect money from people who will probably never benefit from their lavish spending. Then they use the money they gather to add more control over the people! How much more corruption can we take before God brings justice to his people? We think we voted for them, but obviously, they have zero concern for their constituents; they push their agenda and make more laws to lock down and regulate the people rather than listening to the voters who supposedly put them in office. Who is holding their finger in the dam keeping our country from collapsing? However, as God’s children, we have nothing to fear. As Christ-followers, we use the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us navigate this world and put our trust in God alone, for he is our only hope. Sometimes I get caught up in the news of worldly matters, but I must remind myself that we are not of this world; we are merely ambassadors on a journey through this world. Stay on the narrow path, and everything will turn out as God planned.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

Friday, June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

What I’ve learned through my years of being a faithful follower of Jesus and trusting God with my entire life is that you cannot out-give him. I spend a couple of hours a day devoted to studying his word and praying; though I listen to him more through reading the scriptures than I do praying, I’m naturally a listener. I’ve also learned to be content with where I live and not become too attached; though where I’m living now seems to be the pinnacle of my life, if God decided to move me again, I would give it up to do as he says. I’ve never chased after riches, but somehow he gives me more than I need. I’ve seen people become so obsessed with making a dollar that they forget why they are doing it, and it becomes more about how much more they can get rather than a means to live. Is it to show the world they are successful? Maybe they long to have what they’ve seen in the possession of other people. I’m not saying you shouldn’t plan for your future; I do that myself by ensuring I have plenty of food in case the economy collapses; if that happens, you cannot eat a car or diamonds. My point is for you to put God first; give to Him before you take anything for yourself, and he will pour upon you the riches of this world; but more than that, you will feel the wealth of his love, and that is more valuable than anything this world can give you.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:9-10

Thursday, June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

The curlicue on my watermelon finally dried up, and I picked it. I thought it was about 40 pounds, but because I'm not as strong as I used to be, it ended up only being 26 1/2 pounds after I put it on the scale! Still, it's to biggest fruit I've ever grown!

I've spent the last few days canning food from my garden. I never thought to do that, being my cupboards are already full, but my daughter encouraged me since my garden is producing more than I can eat or give away, and it seemed like a great idea; however, now, I'm obsessed with it! It's hard work canning food, but so rewarding! I even canned some meat; I had never thought about it, but it will be great for a quick meal. Now all I have to do is open a jar, add a few ingredients, and I've got an instant meal I didn't have to cook all day! 


I'm happier than I've ever been! Are you content with your life? If you are not, you need to change your priority. Seek God first; work on your relationship with him, and value Jesus's sacrifice. When you make Him your priority, everything else will fall into place. It's not just a one-and-done kind of thing; it's a lifestyle. Slow down and enjoy what God has given you. Everything we have is because God gave it to us; we came naked into this world and will leave the same way. 


But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

My little dog, Coco, is getting old; she turns thirteen this year. She’s still pretty spry despite her age. All she cares about is eating, and even that has slowed down a little. She gets treated with loving care like you would an older woman. We give her a lot of grace. If she wanders too far when looking for a place to do her business, I usher her back towards the house, but when she doesn’t listen, I herd her like rounding up a cow; that’s when she gets a little testy, and growls and barks like she’s talking back; it’s the funniest thing to see.

The older I get, the more I realize how unimportant some material items are. Yes, we need certain things to survive, like food, clothing, and shelter, but more and more, the love of our family becomes what we long for the most. The Bible clarifies how we should treat others but gives specific instructions for how the church must care for the older widowed women who do not have a family. God specifies that the family should care for them, but the church must step in if she doesn’t have a family because he doesn’t want them to worry about their well-being in their latter years.


Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 1 Timothy 5:3-4

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

May 30, 2023

Even though it’s starting to get hot and the weeds are multiplying, my garden still produces food and looks pretty. I planted too many tomatoes. I canned some and left some for the possum, though I’m not too fond of it eating my peas, I have an abundance of tomatoes, so if he eats a few of them, I don’t mind. I may try my hand at fresh salsa and pasta sauce since I’ve grown all the ingredients. Then there are beans! Though I love them, I’ve had my fill! I planted some yard-long beans, oriental red beans, and another kind of long bean, and I don’t want to eat them because they are so pretty hanging from the arched trellis I made. However, yesterday, I found some Atlas mason jars that my father-in-law had been collecting, so I may put them to use and can some beans. 

Take an early morning walk in your garden and check on your crops. It’s time to harvest souls! The seeds you planted have grown and bloomed; if the seed was viable, there should be fruit ready to pick. Harvest before the enemy destroys them, like the possum in my tomatoes and peas! The world is crazy, and if love doesn’t get your family and friends to trust Jesus, fear of hell might make them think twice about their future. 


Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. John 4:35

Monday, May 29, 2023

May 29, 2023

We took a ride out to the beach yesterday to visit some friends; I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Just being there for a couple of hours was very cleansing, and I felt my mind clear of all the clutter and peaceful tranquility wash over me. Even though it was overrunning with people because of the holiday, I still found it relaxing. Memorial Day is about remembering the soldiers who fought and died in battle for our freedom, but it’s nice that we get a break from the daily grind to honor their memory. 

Though this holiday is about soldiers, it’s also important to honor our Savior, who fought the battle against death and won. If not for him fighting for our salvation, our minds would not be set free from the chains that bind us, and we would not see Heaven. Give thanks today for our salvation and for living in a country that is still free. 


For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Sunday, May 28, 2023

May 28, 2023

Today is Pentecost. As Christians, we can celebrate the day we were gifted the Holy Spirit and commemorate the beginning of the Church. 

Through the years since its beginning, the Church has faced numerous challenges, but because of Paul’s faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus, church doctrine is in place, so we are clear on how the Church should operate. He also warned us about what will happen in later times, and even though they thought their times were late, we are seeing what he cautioned Timothy about beginning to happen now.


Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 1 Timothy 4:1-2


Anyone trying to convince you that God was wrong when he created you is a liar! He didn’t make a mistake. The evil in this world is trying to sear your conscience and make you believe their lies. Do not fall for it or participate in their month of folly. Separate yourself from such perversion. We are to stand firm on biblical teachings and refrain from the appearance of evil. Pray hard this entire upcoming month; the demons are dancing and trying to convince the world that such things are acceptable by God; they are not.