As a gardener, I love to have many kinds of plants in my yard. There is one that blooms profusely year round here in Florida called the bougainvillea. It is such a beautiful plant and it comes in many colors. However, admiring it from afar is probably best, since it is equipped with very long, sharp thorns. Sin is the same way; its appearance is beautiful and draws us in for a closer look, causing us to become captivated. The closer we get to it the harder it is to keep our hands to ourselves so we reach out and touch it. As soon as we touch it, BAM, it almost jumps out and pins you with its thorns. Now you're caught in the thicket and unable to get out without getting poked and scratched. Sin not only separates us from God, but it also causes us great pain. There is no escaping it without causing damage. We are all susceptible to it so we must be vigilant and avoid it at all cost.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
I know I reference my little dog Rudy a lot, but he's just so darn cute! He's the perfect picture of unconditional love as is most of our beloved pets. We can learn so much from them if we would just pay a little attention to their behavior. He's only about six pounds, but is a ball of crazy energy. Every time I come home, he gets so overwhelmed to see me that he falls all over himself, his tail is wagging so hard that his whole body moves. He yelps, and cries with excitement just because I've returned. For some of us, our pets are like our children; we should greet God the way our pets greet us, just like Rudy greets me. We are not God's pets, we are His children, but as His children, we should feel so honored to belong to Him that we should be overjoyed, excited, and overwhelmed with passion for Him that we fall all over ourselves because of who He is. After all, He's our creator and our Savior.
Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! Psalms 150:1-6
I was so excited to be on the beach after a storm just so I could be the first out to gather those beautiful seashell treasures. To my disappointment, very few shells came ashore where I was at. No need to get upset about it because I find wonderful, large shells without a storm. The gulf was still raging two days later, so it was washing them out as quickly as they washed up. What I did find is this: I could hold my head up, look around and enjoy the beauty of the beach, soak up some sun, and breathe in some wonderful salty air. This is not about making lemonade out of lemons, it's about finding the blessings God has waiting for you in all situations. A bad day at the beach is better than a good day... well, you fill in the blank. Just stay aware of what God is doing around you, and look for blessings in everyday situations. I did find a couple of crab trap floats which are fun to collect too.
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16
My husband and I frequent a barrier island off the gulf coast of Florida. We were spending some time there, but decided to leave before a storm hit and spend the night on the mainland. It's a cozy little place but is only accessible by boat. We returned the next day and headed back over to the island. Once we got into the bay we started to feel like the disciples on the Sea of Galilee. The wind was whipping and the water was rough and our tiny little boat began to get tossed around. We were half way to the island before we thought that this may have been a bad idea. We made it, but not before getting drenched! During the storm on the Sea of Galilee the disciples were frightened even though Jesus was in the boat with them. He asked them, "where is your faith?" When things get rough and you feel like you're being tossed around like a tiny boat on a big sea, remember that Jesus is in your boat.
He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?" Luke 8:25
I get up very early in the morning. It's very quiet that time of day. My father gets up with me and we sit quietly together as we contemplate the day ahead. He's very soft spoken unless he gets mad and then all hell breaks loose. His mornings with me are peaceful and I feel protected and loved. I have his full attention and can lay my heart out and know that he will comfort and console me over whatever issue I'm dealing with. He listens to all my babble when no one else will and won't cut me off mid sentence. I love that he gives me all the attention that I want, even though others may need him more. As the day gets underway, we both get busy and my thoughts turn to handle issues and general everyday things that take my attention away from him, but he never leaves my side. If you don't have a relationship with our Heavenly Father like this, then you need to spend more time with Him.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalms 63:1
I was at a fundraising dinner and part of the program included a silent auction. I love silent auctions! There was a book that covered all the native plants found on Little Gasparilla Island. I really wanted that book so I placed a bid and then kept my eye on it. For almost an hour no one outbid me. Then it happened, someone placed a bid under me. I bumped the bid by a couple of dollars and then left it alone. To my disappointment someone had outbid me and I left empty handed. I get back home and our friends pulled up in the yard with the book. They were bidding against me so they could give it to me as a gift. I was absolutely thrilled. Is there is something that you've waited for and thought it was lost? Maybe God wants to give you a blessing. As we wait for Jesus' return we must be patient; His return will be the ultimate gift and an amazing surprise!
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25
A woman had suffered many years dealing with uncontrolled bleeding. She had been to many doctors but none were able to bring her bleeding under control. She heard about this man who had come into town and all the amazing things that he was doing and thought that if only she could touch the edge of his garment she would be healed. So she made her way through the crowd risking her life because she was considered unclean because of her issue. She made it to him and upon touching his robe she was immediately healed. The man felt power leave his body and insisted that someone confess to what they had done. She told him what she had done and he told her to go in peace that her faith had healed her. Are you suffering? Are you chasing after Jesus for your healing? When you have exhausted all human efforts, turn to Jesus. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." Mark 5:34
We've all had to deal with people who are obnoxious and have terrible people skills. They are very set in their ways and may have trouble understanding simple things like kindness and tolerance. It takes all kinds of people to make up this world and even though we find their actions unacceptable, we also know that God loves them with their flaws and all. For instance, Jesus and His disciples came across a man who had been tormenting a neighborhood for years. The community had bound him with shackles and chains, but they no longer held him. When Jesus got to the area, this man came out to meet Him. Jesus healed this man by commanding the demons to come out of him. He then began to act human again. Jesus loves everyone and can even heal behavior issues and release anyone from chains. One day they too may proclaim all that God has done for them.
And he did not permit him (to go with Him) but said to him, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." Mark 5:19
I don't know about you, but I do some pretty inconvenient things for those I love. What made me think about this is my little dog Rudy. He likes to sit with me in the mornings and sleep next to me. Over the past week he has decided to curl up on my lap. This makes it very hard to type or do anything on my iPad. He's just so cute sitting there that I can't bring myself to move him. That means that I must contort my body and sit at a weird angle just to be able to type. I also do some weird things because I love Jesus. Probably the most unusual thing for any of us to do is to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and tell them about Jesus. How uncomfortable and inconvenient is that? But I love Him and out of that love for Him I do some things that are outside of my comfort zone. It's not easy owning a dog and it forces you to change your life and the way you do things; it's the same way loving Jesus!
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
As I've gotten older, the things that were once important to me have changed. It may also be my maturity in Christ that has changed my perspective. I once drove a fancy car, now I drive a truck. Don't get me wrong, my truck is pretty nice! I've always worn the latest fashions and carried a designer purse, now that doesn't feel as necessary. Jesus has been working on me and renewing my mind to resemble His. As I grow in Him, this temporary world holds less value than the things of eternity. As you follow the footsteps of Jesus throughout the Bible, you begin to notice that His heart was only concerned about and focused on our eternity and His love for the Father. He loved people and loved the Father to the point that His death, being the only way to reconcile the two, became the focus of His earthly mission. We should have a similar goal; to reconcile people to the Father through Jesus.
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18
God knows me all too well. He located me in a place where my soul could thrive; right here in the state of Florida. Would I have longed for the shore if I had been placed elsewhere? I'm not really sure. There is just something that draws me to the water. Maybe it's the mystery of the open water and knowing that there are living creatures among us that we can't see just below the surface of the water. I think I love it because it's similar to the kingdom of heaven in that we don't know everything about it, just bits and pieces. Most of what we know about the ocean has been told to us by others, just like our knowledge of heaven. Every now and then we get to see a glimpse of the mysteries of the sea just like on occasion we meet an angel, or so we think. We are not alone on this earth with only those beings we can see; there is a vast unknown world working all around us. Do you sense it?
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2
After seeing my sister run ten miles around Washington, DC, I decided to give it a try. I began a program in December that takes you from the couch to 5k in 10 weeks. I'm no fan of running and I really like the couch, but as I slowly pushed myself to do this I can feel myself becoming stronger and healthier. I had my husband drop me off across town so I could run home; it was about three miles away and I did it; I ran the whole way home. I've reached my goal in about six weeks! Now I'm signed up to run a 5k in the Gasparilla Distance Classic. No, I didn't sign up for it myself; I was just happy to beat my training app, but my son encouraged me to run it with him. Now, at the end of February, my son, my two daughters, and I will be running together in a real race. Imagine that, a happy couch sitter running a race! We are all in a race toward Jesus. Don't wait, begin your training now; He is the prize waiting for us at the finished line!
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
What do you do when you keep running into a wall and feel that you can't hear God's voice or are missing His direction in your life? I go through a checklist to eliminate anything that may be causing my hearing impairment. The first thing I do is ask for forgiveness of my sins, just in case I did something in my sin nature that has caused my prayers to be ignored. Then I begin praising Him and offer Him my worship. If I still can't hear Him, it's probably because I'm trying too hard. His voice is very quiet and sometimes the voices inside my head need to be quietened and the loud speaker turned off. God is always there; separation comes from us, not from Him. Remember when you were a kid and you got wrapped up in your favorite television show and tuned out everything going on around you? The things going on in our life can cause us to tune Him out just like that. Focus on Him and the wall will come down.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Psalms 32:8-9
This is the time of year that people throughout Tampa and the State of Florida prepare for the upcoming event called Gasparilla. It is a series of parades that lead up to the opening of the Florida State Fair. The parade krewes gather their costumes and beads, and ready their floats for the public display. It's definitely a fun time if you like that sort of thing. It draws you into the fantasy world of Jose' Gaspar and his search for treasure. As with anything, there is good and bad. The good of this is that each of the krewes sponsor a charity and raise money through fees and membership dues. The bad is that there are days of drinking, public intoxication, and nudity, all in the name of fun. If you decide to get involved in this type of activity, be the example of good and show everyone that you follow Jesus. Make it into an opportunity to spread the gospel instead of debauchery. God can use anything for His glory!
But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:3-4
There are things in the daily news that are cause for us to be concerned. Whether it's local or worldwide, the picture can look quite grim. If we get too caught up in the affairs of the world, we can become depressed or angry. The television drama has become so incendiary that they stop at nothing, just to try and make their point. How is it that we have gotten so far from the greatest commandments? Our world will continue to fall apart unless we get back to loving God and loving people. You cannot love God if you don't love others, they're impossible to separate. We have so little time on this earth to do what God has called us to do that it is ridiculous for us to waste so much of it being divisive or even buying into the divisiveness. We must be more tolerant of others and love them despite their view. If you have any hate in your heart for people, you cannot love God!
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17
What motivates you to stay on track for Jesus? Our daily lives can be so rough; we struggle with ourselves and what's going on around us. No one ever said it would be easy following Jesus, but the rewards and those moments that we see His work come to light make it all worth it. I've noticed that when I cry out to Him for help and I feel like I just can't continue on, He offers me a glimmer of hope. One day I was feeling hopeless and just as I finished praying l glanced down at my phone read the words to an old hymn; that gave me peace. I then got out of my car and walked into the grocery store and sitting outside was a sweet young man with an extra chromosome, singing loudly with his headphones on; he made me smile. That's when I realized that God was offering me encouragement to keep going and had reassured me that He had heard me. Make sure you don't miss the rewards while you're lost in despair.
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
My friends are selling their house and as a real estate agent, they asked me to put it on the market for them. When they mentioned me doing an open house I was reluctant because in the past I've found that they only attract nosy neighbors. I agreed to put the home on caravan which brings agents in to view the home for prospective clients. Thinking that I would be sitting there twiddling my thumbs for three hours, I brought my iPad so I could peruse Facebook while waiting. As God would have it, I never sat down for the whole three hours! My friends love the Lord and their home has been prayed in and prayed over. My favorite comment was from a spiritually discerning woman who said that the home felt peaceful, of course I couldn't wait to tell her why! If God can fill a home with His presence on behalf of His followers, how much more will He fill you with the peace of His presence if you make Him central in your life?
And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14
When I was a kid, I remember my mother preserving vegetables by canning them. Tomatoes, pole beans, and pickles are the ones I remember the most. They made such a beautiful display. My favorite was when she preserved guava jelly! What a wonderful tasty treat that was! She would start by selecting the finest fruits and vegetables, then prepare them by cleaning, stemming, pealing, and whatever was needed before filling the jars. This had to be done carefully so that bacteria wouldn't have a chance to grow and possibly make us sick from eating them. Our family would benefit from all the trouble she went through because of the wholesome meals she was able to create. The life of those fruits and vegetables was saved and the process of ripening stopped. This is a good example of how our lives are being kept through Jesus. Aren't you grateful that He chose to preserve your life?
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
My husband and I are landlords and must deal with housing many different personalities. Occasionally, we will have someone want to break their lease for various reasons; we have rules about that in our lease. Though we have a binding contract with them that is very strict concerning the consequences of breaking a lease, we still have compassion for others. Here lies the problem: if they have been antagonistic, hateful, or are downright mean, there's not much chance our hearts will feel compassion for them. However, if they've always been respectful and kind, there is the probability that they won't face legal or financial repercussions. Imagine what The Lord might do for you if you blessed Him with thankfulness and approached Him with kindness. Don't be demanding or harsh, a loving heart will go a long way with God and He may be more willing to extend His grace to you.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalms 103:1-2
Are you making changes in your life as proof of your salvation? If you claim you've received salvation and continue to live the same way you did before, you may have a problem. Our love for Jesus and our gratefulness for what He did for us, makes us want to turn our life around and live for Him. If you've truly accepted Him, your life will reflect Him. Jesus was not aggressive, but He wasn't a pushover either. Jesus did not treat others with disrespect nor was His tone harsh or condescending. If you have unforgiveness in your heart, yet you think you've been forgiven by God, you need to check your salvation. If you pick out the bad parts of a Christian's life, and believe me we are not perfect, and choose that portion to relate to rather than compare yourself to Jesus, you may have a problem. Just because you call yourself a Christian doesn't make you one. It's a change of heart and a change of direction.
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." Mark 11:25
