October 6

Have you ever needed to update your electronic devices and found that you had no room in the memory to install it? I spent several hours going through, over five thousand pictures dating back many years. As much as I love all of my photos, something had to go. That may seem a little tragic, but I kept all the pictures with faces! Pictures of my grandchildren, family, and friends are all that’s left. There was a problem though, it didn’t give me any more room! I found out that I have a “recently deleted file” which held on to all of those pictures! Just like our past, if we don’t give it all to Jesus, it still comes up in our “recently deleted files.” Our memories need to be transformed into victories rather than defeat. If you’ll let Him, Jesus can change your tragedy into triumph, and you can overcome your past. He can empty your “recently deleted file” and replace it with valuable lessons!

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

October 5

God has called you to do good things, not to sit around and mope about your current situation. It's very likely that you are feeling this way because of the calling on your life and the enemy knows it! God has divine appointments, people for you to reach, and you can't reach them from where you are now. Practice your gift, begin to use it daily until you reach your full potential. Then, keep going and let God carry you to the place he wants you to be. Just imagine being on the shore fishing and a man calls to you and says "come with me, I have a new job for you." He then begins training you. You have absolutely no skill in the job that he's training you for, but he sees your potential. After several years, he turns you loose and then departs and you preach a sermon that starts the biggest movement in history, "The Church!" Did Peter know that his contribution would shape history? Probably not, but he did what God called him to do, facing the enemy at every turn. If a common man like Peter can do it, so can you! 

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 2:40-41

October 4

I ask myself two questions when people come against me: is this going to have an effect on my eternity and what is the worse that can happen? Sometimes we worry about simple things that are an unnecessary waste of time that causes us anxiety. My goal is to live a peaceful, worry free life, overflowing with the joy of the Lord, but unfortunately the people of this world don't want or can't have peace. The enemy fills people with nasty thoughts that sometimes turn into actions that can disrupt our lives. Take that moment of anxiousness from the hands of your oppressor, let them have their say while they are in your presence and then when they are gone, let it go, release it to God. You can also be speaking to God in your mind while they are speaking to you! They are the troubled ones. If God needs you to fix something in your life, He will let you know. This world is full of broken people who are puppets in the hands of the enemy. Remember who your God is! 

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:17-19

October 3

I know you've been there, days where things get off to a running start and then don't slow down. Sometimes that's good, but sometimes it's not! As I opened my door, very early in the morning, my dog shot out as fast as he could like he was chasing something. Before I knew it, he was halfway down our long driveway. So here I go, running after him with my bare feet on a rocky path, just to make sure something doesn't eat him! That sure got the heart rate going early! Speaking of heart rate; what gets your heart rate going for Jesus? Music tends to get me worked up and excited for Him. There's just something exhilarating about praising Him! Instead of being overwhelmed by running after a dog or whatever gets your blood pumping, let yourself be overcome with joy for the Lord. It is very satisfying and will change the atmosphere and set the tone for your day. But, there's an added benefit; it gives the Lord what He deserves, and that's a good thing!

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. Psalms 98:7-9

October 2

Florida has a river of water running beneath the surface call the Floridian aquifer. It is where more than ten million people get their drinking water. The water is drawn out of the ground by drilling until you reach it. Florida may be surrounded by water, but it's not fresh or drinkable. The water from the aquifer is considered living water because it comes from a river and is not stale or stagnant. Jesus gives us living water. We live in a dry and dusty land, parched and thirsty, but the water from Jesus is refreshing and quenches us so we never have to be thirsty again. The world may fall apart and die, but the water Jesus gives is lasting. He is the reason we have eternal life. There is no other way, no other being, no other path; you cannot reach the Father except through Jesus. Like Florida, we are surrounded by undrinkable water, people with useless ideas, but if we draw close to Jesus, we will tap into life!

but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

October 1

Do you ever feel like you might not be tapping into everything God has for you? It's easy to think that way because of all the signs and wonders that we see in the Bible. Not only miracles by Jesus, which were incredible, but by many others who loved God, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. As people of the earth wander deeper into darkness and minds are controlled by it, it becomes harder and harder to explain the truth of who Jesus is. If you continue to be diligent in your studies, firm in your belief, and draw closer to Him, you will see changes within you that can only be explained as divine. We are living in an exciting time, even though it seems like our light is very dim, even a flicker can be seen for miles in total darkness. Just wait for it, the darker it gets the brighter we will shine, and the changes within you will be noticed by all! Then, even those who doubt may change their heart and turn to Jesus.

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12-14

September 30

You spend your whole life collecting things. You go on vacation and buy souvenirs, search high and low for beautiful mementoes to add to your collection. Then one day you decide to move and all of those items have to be packed up. Do you take them with you or do you sell them off? I thought I had a lot of stuff until I went to an estate sale! A lifetime of gathering and now it's being sold off at a fraction of what was paid for it. I would say that the emotions involved are mixed; sadness because of all the memories and relief because of the fresh start. How is this picture any different from ourselves? We start collecting pain and sin as children and keep gathering it our whole life. It becomes a burden weighing us down, almost crushing us. Jesus took on all of our burdens at the cross. Why are you still carrying them? Are you rejecting His gift? Starting today, unload your baggage at the foot of the cross and allow someone bigger to carry it for you.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

September 29

I went to dinner with my husband and father-in-law. As we were leaving, I noticed a young woman whose hair was beautifully braided, so I complimented her; she smiled and said "thank you." After my husband passed her, he asked me what I had said to her because she had rolled her eyes. I'm not sure what to think of that reaction other than there may have been something offensive in the statement "your hair looks really pretty!" Many women have such poor self worth that I feel it necessary to try and lift them up by saying something nice to them. It may have been a plot against me from the evil one as a discouragement to engaging in conversation with others. It won't work! I'm not that easily dissuaded! This is a word of caution for you to remember that the devil roams around seeking whom he might devour. He knows the human reaction and will try anything to discourage you from being salt and light to this world, don't let him win!

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:13-14

September 28

As my friends and I were enjoying the beach together, I realized something interesting; they love seashells more than I do! That may not be entirely true, but because I live near the beach, I tend to be a little more picky about the shells I pick up. When you come from a landlocked area of the country, being able to get, what seems like an unlimited amount of shells, is glorious! The beach I go to usually has a lot, but because of Hurricane Irma, we had an abundance! We almost needed a pickup truck to haul their bounty! As Christians, I think we sometimes take for granted the love of Jesus. He is abounding in it and because we've known it, we forget how great it is to have. Watching my friends lavish in the benefits of a beach, fully loaded with shells, is what it's like for someone to come to know the love of Jesus. The unlimited amount of love He has for us brings such joy to a new believer, and to an old believer if we reflect on it.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

September 27

I don't know about you, but when I want to do something fun, I'll get up really early to get my work done just so I can enjoy my day without worry. My friends and I decided to spend the day together at the beach for a little rest and relaxation. I know that my steps are planned by God and He knew that I would need a little break, specifically for this particular day. It's a gift from the One who loves me more than any human ever could. Jesus offers us a place to rest from the burden this world has placed upon us. He tells us to trust Him and allow Him to guide us through the challenges we face. The yoke of this world is quite heavy with its rules to conform; if you don't you will be ridiculed. It was the same in His day! The Pharisee's placed undue hardships on their followers that were unintended by God. But, Jesus came! Through His teachings we can learn the right ways apart from the ways of this world. Go to Him and find rest for your soul.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

September 26

There is one message of healing that is above all others, and that's the message of the cross. What Jesus did on the cross led to our salvation from sin and death, a healing of our soul. No matter what you go through physically, if you don't accept healing for your sin, nothing else you do on this earth matters. He has released us from a trap and we are no longer held captive by the enemy. So, why then do you we sometimes feel like we're bound, still in chains? It's a lie of the enemy! It's one that he has perfected so that we won't prosper and so that we won't take that message of deliverance to others. We must rebuke the lies of the enemy and fight for our freedom. Freedom isn't free. What is the cost? You must give up your anger, malice, fear, hatred, disbelief, and anything else that might have you trapped. It takes purposeful prayer, intentionally giving up those things, and asking forgiveness for them one by one. Ask God to tell you what you need to confess. Don't dismiss what you hear and ask for forgiveness immediately. Break those chains one at a time until you've been completely released!

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

September 25

Are there things that you've been praying about for years and it seems like God can't hear you? I know that I have! I feel like I have enough faith to move a mountain, but for some reason, that mountain won't move! I'm not sure why some of my prayers haven't been answered. It's probably because other humans are involved and they've been given a free will just like me! The disciples ran into a problem with a demon possessed child who had seizures that would sometimes throw him into fire or water. The people involved came to Jesus not understanding why he wasn't healed. He told them that if they had faith as small as a mustard seed, that he could be healed. So why then aren't our prayers for another human answered? It takes faith and relentless prayer. It takes ridding yourself of all unbelief! We need to believe, that Jesus can answer our prayers, with the same amount of faith it takes to believe that He has saved us for an eternity. 

He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

September 24

Well, I thought that I would try and hatch my own plan. You know, we all try to handle things on our own and try to carve out the lifestyle we want to live. I thought that if we sold our home, we could downsize, get rid of all the extra stuff and simplify our lives. Well, that's not what happened. We're now in a slightly bigger home, a much bigger yard, and more room to entertain! You've got to love it though, especially when you see God's plan falling into place. I've seen my family more during this process and have had wonderful gatherings of the saints here in the new home. God showed me who was in control and even though I had a plan, it didn't quite match God's. When you're committed to following God's call on your life, you have to be ready for things to change. It may be different than what I had thought, but what I got is very good! God's plan is always so much better! 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

September 23

My dad is a big man and has a voice that is as big as he is. I was very careful to follow the rules because I never wanted him to use that big voice to chastise me. He was very loving towards me even though his voice was quite powerful and frightening at times. He's just a human, imagine being able to see and hear God! We would fall on our face in fear! We live in such close proximity to God, but we never see Him or hear Him. Maybe He's protecting us from certain death. He's such a powerful being that we would surely die if we saw His face and our ear drums would certainly be blown if He spoke. Have you ever stood next to a high rise building? You're so close to it that you can't see the whole thing! That's how I think of God, He's so enormous that we can't see Him even though we're standing next to Him. The voice of a being that large would be deafening. Knowing His size, why would anyone want to disappoint Him by disobeying Him?

If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? John 14:7-9

September 22

During a major storm, a tree fell into the road across from a vacant lot we own. It laid in the road for a couple of days until the county had time to move it. After they cut it up, they began piling it onto our lot. Even though the lot appeared empty, there were utilities running through it. As they moved the tree with their heavy equipment they busted a water pipe that supplied our tenants with water. The county noticed that the water meter was putting out an unusual amount of water, so they shut the water off without notice. My tenants spent an entire day without water not knowing what happened. We are living in a day and age where the living water of Jesus is flowing freely. There will come a time when that water will be cut off and no one will know what happened. What was once a free gift, and easily accessible, will take great effort to receive and will subject, those who are left here, to torture and ridicule. With all that's going on in the world today, it seems that the time of Jesus return is nearing. Please don't wait to tell your friends and family about Him. It will not be easy to live in this world after He returns and takes His bride, the church.

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Revelation 3:10-11

September 21

For all the years that I've sold real estate, I've never sold anything that I've lived in until just recently. It can be a nail biting experience and a bit of a gamble. You think you have a solid contract and all is going well until the other agent calls to tell you that there's an issue. You're like "What do you mean there's an issue?" You've already moved out because you have to be completely out for the final walk through and you had to find a new home. There's nothing you can do if it falls through at the last minute! I don't know how people do it if they're depending on that closing. Thankfully, we finally closed after a few close calls and our move wasn't wasted. This is why we must depend on God's timing. It could be that He's teaching us to depend upon Him for everything, including the timing of this closing. He could have been training the buyers to be persistent and push through their trials. The lesson is to wait on the Lord, His timing is perfect!

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalms 27:14

September 20

My new yard is full of camellia bushes. It's hard to tell that they are there because they've been left unkept for a very long time. They are suffering from lack of light and are bending under the weight and burden of many different kinds of vines. I'm surprised that some of them are still alive because the vines have twisted around their limbs and are almost choking them. The only way to get rid of those vines is to clip them off at the roots and carefully pull them off the plant. It's a very tedious job, but if we want to enjoy their beauty when they bloom, then it's a must. Are you tangled up and suffering with burdens because you've gone too long without care? If so, it's time to give all of those burdens to Jesus. He cares for you and wants nothing more than for you to flourish and bloom. Let Jesus cut off, the things you're suffering from, at its root and begin to remove them one by one.

 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22

September 19

After several months of going through the process of selling our home and moving to a new one, I began to feel like I wasn't hearing God's voice clearly. I'd become so dependent upon hearing from Him that it seemed I'd become hearing impaired, I got a little anxious. Morning after morning I would beg to hear His voice and He would whisper to me and I would strain to recognize His words. I muddled through and still honored my commitment to Him to bring a fresh word to His followers. The truth is that I was so pre-occupied with many other things that my own thoughts were interfering with my reception. It was like being between radio stations where I was only picking up part of the station. God had not grown distant from me, I was the one who muffled the speaker. After I refocused and gave Him the attention that He deserved, something broke and I could hear Him clearly again. I broke! I surrendered! I admitted my weakness and He became my strength. 

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Psalms 28:7-8

September 18

Now that I've moved into the forest, I see and hear different things. One of the gifts from this move is seeing the Eastern Bluebird. Our driveway meanders through an open field before it enters a tree covered area where the house is, that's where I've seen a very large family of them. It is not a common bird that I remember seeing growing up, that doesn't mean that they weren't there, I just didn't notice them. They have beautiful blue feathers and a reddish colored chest and are slightly larger than a sparrow. Imagine my thrill as I walked down the driveway and saw them flitting all around me. In this day where there is so much tragedy and turmoil, it's nice when God opens your eyes to the gifts that only He can give. It's not something that I can hold, so no one can take it from me. That memory is now buried in my soul for me to refer back to when I need a lighthearted moment. God has given us many beautiful things to behold, take notice, it's a refreshing break.

"You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you. Nehemiah 9:6 

September 16

As Christians, we need to be careful whom we condemn; especially when it's those who are spreading the gospel message and teachers of the Word. When we label others as heretics and false prophets who are working diligently for the kingdom and who are bringing a solid, Bible based message, we are the ones who look bad. I attended a conference where the women who spoke has been labeled just that. I listened with skepticism and like a Berean, I checked on her every word. I found that this woman is real! She loves Jesus with all her heart! You just can't fake that! We need to stop tearing one another apart! A real heretic or false witness will be found out, look at the sons of Sceva! They evoked the name of Jesus when they had no relationship with Him and the demon possessed man tore them apart! Take notice: it was a demon who tore them apart, not another Christian! Stay diligent in your studies so you know the difference. Be more of a fruit inspector and examine their fruit!

But the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Acts 19:15-16