June 1

On a little island in South Florida there are no streets, however, there is a path that runs the length of the island. It is there to help the utility company and other services reach the homeowners in need. The homeowners like to use it to explore and visit friends. This path cuts through private property. One homeowner decided to fence off his property which cuts off the path. Word spread through the power of Facebook, and the whole island was up in arms. Even though it was known to be true, some needed to see it for themselves to believe. Those same people had to turn around and go back home. Because of their unbelief, their path was cut off! Had they just believed the testimony of friends, they could have saved themselves a lot of trouble and could have chosen a different way to reach their destination. Take power out of the hands of Satan and believe what the Bible tells you. There is only one path to the Kingdom of Heaven and that is through Jesus! 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

May 31

When I look for treasures on the beach, seashells are the main thing I seek. However, many things wash up, like fishing gear, bobbers, lures, chunks of wood, seeds, sharks teeth, bones, and much more. I collect all of it! Some things are very old, like the sharks teeth - I know this because they are black; some of the shells are old because they are very white and considered fossilized. Other things like the bobbers and lures are brand new, the fisherman probably lost them just a few days before. When you read my post, you realize that I give you a mix. The stories I tell gives you a little old with the new. The old is the Bible verse and my story is a new way to look at it to help you understand how it fits into todays lifestyle. It makes you realize that even though the Bible is ancient, it is living and sharper than a double edged sword. Train your mind to begin seeing things through the lens of the Bible.

And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:52

May 30

My hope was that being on the island during a storm would give me the first opportunity to gather the treasures left on the shore. So last night I went out during the first low tide we’ve had in nearly a week. It was dark and I was the only one out there with my little red headlamp scanning the shore. I made a beeline about a mile down to the place that will have shells if there are any to be found, and found nothing! I didn’t even get to see a turtle coming up to nest! It ended up that the only treasure I found was some alone time without human interference. With no one to distract me, my heart poured out to the Lord of how grateful I am for all He has done for me. I needed to be reset, and ready for the next challenge. Though I had set out to find gifts from the sea, I walked away with so much more, a treasure that can only be found by reaching out to the Father - peace, comfort, and a feeling of being loved.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

May 29

It’s day five of my beach vacation. Even though the weather has been less than perfect, I’ve still been able to get out on the beach and walk every day. There is something special about the place where the sand meets the sea. The gulf is full of living things that unless you explore, would never know they’re there. The same goes for spiritual beings, just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they are not there. Like the seashells that wash ashore is evidence of their existence, there is also evidence of spiritual existence. Like when someone shows up at just the right time to encourage you when you need it the most, or you hear the same message two or three times from different sources confirming that you’ve heard from God. Maybe something stopped you from going through the intersection just before a huge truck blew through the red light. Whether it’s the Holy Spirit or ministering angels, watch for the subtle clues and you will see that we are not alone.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. He’s 13:2

May 28

How many times have you wanted to speak your mind and then after doing so, regretted it? We all have moments like this, where we are bothered by something someone does or says and want to lash out and give them a piece of our mind. What good did it do? Most of the time we’ve just thrown fuel on the fire and brought more hardship upon ourselves. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks! When Jesus said these words, He was talking to the Pharisees who had just said He was doing His miracles by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. He reminded them that a house divided cannot stand. Is your house divided? Are you divided within yourself? Do you say you love Jesus and then speak badly of someone? Immerse yourself in God’s word and follow the example that Jesus sets in order to change your heart, then maybe what comes out will reflect Jesus rather than Beelzebul!

Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. Matthew 12:25

May 27

As the storms come in from the gulf, you get a mix of wind and rain, the sea is stirred causing the water to be rough, and the dark clouds are rushing by. By this you can see why the Holy Spirit is compared to the wind. You can’t see the wind, but you can feel and see the effects of it. The Holy Spirit is more like a breeze or a breath of air, not like a tropical storm. However, His movement can feel like you’ve been hit by the force of a hurricane because of the change that is brought about. A good comparison might be when you accepted Jesus as your Savior. Some had a quiet transformation like a breath of air, but others had an immediate life altering experience like a hurricane; both being life changing and transforming. Pay close attention to the things happening in your life, and don’t respond like it’s business as usual. The Holy Spirit is with you at all times and His work is a daily occurrence.

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

May 26

We decided to spend some time at the beach for the Memorial holiday, even though it’s wet and soggy, and a tropical storm is traveling through the gulf! On our way over we had to wait for a break in the clouds before we could get in the boat to go over to the island. Once it stopped raining, we quickly loaded everything; we had about a week's worth of groceries just in case we couldn’t get off the island. We made it there, barely getting wet. Then, as we pulled into our slip, the clouds opened up and we got drenched! We were safe and my prayer was answered. Sometimes the things I’m praying are the things He’s saying, or maybe it was my lack of faith! As I was praying, it somehow changed to “as long as we get there safe, a little rain won’t hurt us”, and that’s what happened. God is faithful to protect, however, you may still have to deal with a trial, like the pouring rain that we encountered.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

May 25

There will be those who will be offended by you because of whose you are. Jesus, who is the cornerstone for our temple, is also a stumbling block for those who go against His word. When you’ve shared Jesus with someone, and they reject Him, He just became their stumbling block because they have heard the truth and disobey His word. It would have been better for them not to know because they now have to answer for their rejection of Him. In our society today, there is always someone offended by something! We have to stand our ground and continue to speak the truth about Jesus and what is right, whether it offends or not. Jesus said, “and blessed is the one who is not offended by me” So, consider yourself blessed, because you are!

and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 1 Peter 2:8

May 24

Hurricane season begins in just a few days and preparation is well underway. Our home is surrounded by trees which could become a detriment during a storm. It’s important to survey their health and remove any dead or unhealthy branches to make sure they don’t end up through the roof. It also helps to remove some of the weight because they become extra heavy during the accompanying rainfall. Our mental health is very similar. After going through a stressful time, you feel like you’ve just been through a hurricane. In the same way you prepare your home for a storm, you should be preparing for life’s personal storms so that it takes a lot of effort on the part of the devil to rock you. Armor up with the Word of God, pray, forgive and seek forgiveness. Do a mental checklist to make sure you have handled any fear, unbelief, trauma, and rejection; because when the storms come, the weight of your past will come flooding back.

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. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:6-8

May 23

Have you ever watched a family of raccoons as they dottle around? The babies follow their mom around very closely and are almost in perfect step with her. My neighbor had a dead tree in her yard with a hole that I had seen some in at one time; I saw a video recently that reminded me of the family that lived in it. In the video, the babies had followed the mom up the tree to get back into their hole. They had no fear and they waited patiently for her to help them get back into their home. If they were having a hard time, she would grab them by the scruff of their neck and pull them in. It was their lack of fear that amazed me the most. They knew no different, it was the way they were raised. If we would follow Jesus as closely at these babies followed their mom, we would lose our fear of man. Jesus always has us and will grab us by the scruff of the neck when things get rough, and draw us close.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

May 22

Earlier this year, I bought a few orchids that were in full bloom. After all the rain, I decided I needed to check on them. It turned out the pots they were in were full of water and the material they were potted in had begun to rot. I poured all the water out and decided to repot them in new material. After getting well into it, I decided that I should probably check the internet to see if it was safe to repot the ones still in bloom. It turned out that I shouldn’t because it might kill the plant. It was too late for one plant! How often do we set out to do well with little knowledge and end up causing more harm than good? My orchid is an example, but it’s just a plant. One little deviation from the word of God could cause death or destruction to the hearer. Pray for knowledge and wisdom, then seek to gain it by studying the Word. You never want to be responsible for someone heading in the wrong direction, it would be better for you and for them if you hadn’t said a word.

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you. 1 Timothy 6:20-21

May 21

After a break in the weather, I was able to get out on the beach for a long walk. I didn’t find any shells worthy of keeping, but the air was refreshing, there is nothing that cleanses my soul more than the gulf breezes. I took Rudy with me and it was his first time walking the entire two miles. He’s been with me before, but I’ve had to carry him for at least half of the walk. It’s probably been more than a year since the last time I took him so he’s matured considerably since then. When we go the distance with Jesus, it takes time for us to mature. There are times when we get tired and He carries us and other times we follow Him closely. It’s not always an easy walk; we encounter many things that try to keep us from going the distance, but if we stick with Him, He will refresh our soul like the gulf breezes. Do not grow weary, let His strength carry you down the treacherous path you are on, then walk when you are able.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

May 20

The whole state of Florida is a soggy swamp right now because of all the rain and thunderstorms we’ve been getting. It just so happens that the next scripture in my daily reading is about Jesus calming the storm. This is one of my favorite stories because it reminds me that I’m not alone in my boat. When everything feels chaotic, sometimes it will get to you. No one knows what you are dealing with that causes your boat to rock or how powerful the storm is that is making you feel flooded or overwhelmed. There are well meaning people that may be bringing a funnel cloud with them, not realizing that your boat is taking on water. If you are feeling this way, it might be time for you to wake up Jesus and let Him calm that storm. He might rebuke you saying ‘where is your faith,’ but that may be all you need to hear to bring you back into His peace. Don’t let today’s trouble get to you. Ask yourself this, “Will this have an effect on my eternity?” When you hear the answer, take a deep breath and smile.

And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:25-26

May 19

I attended a very special event, my nephew is getting married and he and his fiancé were given a very lovely shower. Everything was beautiful! The couple was more than grateful for the outpouring of love given to them by the attendees and were overwhelmed with joy. Marriage is sacred to our Heavenly Father because it reveals the likeness of our relationship to Jesus. It’s a commitment, and there will be days that are good where everything goes our way, but then there will be others where we struggle to get through. We really don’t always understand that going into marriage or salvation. “Love is blind” and “blind faith” can describe both marriage and salvation. There is always a honeymoon period, but once that wears off, real life begins and there’s nothing sweeter than experiencing a wonderful life together, with each other and our Savior. 

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”  This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32

May 18

A couple of days ago, I ordered a new cover for my iPad that was supposed to have already been delivered. I’m not exactly sure what caused the delay, but with the bad weather, moving trucks and tree trimming equipment blocking the road, I’m not really surprised that it didn’t make it here. However, because of good customer service, I should be getting it sometime today. There are a lot of things that may cause delays in our prayers being answered, somewhat like the delay in my package. My best guess would be that most delays aren’t really delays at all. Just because we ask God for something today, doesn’t mean that it’s a part of His plan. God is not your genie in a bottle! He is the Creator and our Sustainer, and His timing is perfect! Though you may feel desperate, remember how good He has been to you in the past and use that as a memorial stone. He’s still right there with you every step of the way. Take a deep breath and trust Him!

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3

May 17

Sometimes it’s necessary to dig a little deeper into the teachings of the Bible. The Holy Spirit is my guide and occasionally He directs me to get clarity by looking into a commentary. My favorite is Matthew Henry, who wrote during the 1600’s. The historical background he gives sheds light on things that I might have missed if I hadn’t looked into it a little further. That being said, here is his comment on leprosy:

“Because the leprosy was looked upon, among the Jews, as a particular mark of God's displeasure....Because this disease, as it was supposed to come immediately from the hand of God, so also it was supposed to be removed immediately by his hand, and therefore it was not attempted to be cured by physicians, but was put under the inspection of the priests, the Lord's ministers, who waited to see what God would do.”

Then our radical Savior came along and healed those who believed in Him! Then sent them to the priest. He had cleansed them from their sin, which only God can do! This was proof to the Jews that He was who He said He was. He came to do what no other man could do - save us from ourselves! What an awesome God we serve and what a precious Savior to cleanse us of our sins!

And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:2-3

May 16

We went through a very dry season, but now it’s been raining for days! We may continue to receive rain for a while. At one point the rain was heavy, the wind was blowing, small tree branches were pelting against the house, and you could hear the thunder and see the lightning. I thought the windows were going to blow out! It’s funny that the next scripture in my Bible reading dealt with the same issue. I’m always amazed when I see pieces fall into place by the mighty hand of God. Do you ever feel like that, like a house in the middle of a storm? Everything coming at you at once? Sometimes people yell at you like thunder, lightning is striking all around you, with strong winds from others trying to shake you off your foundation, and then you get pelted with things flying. You’re still standing; maybe bruised and battered, but still standing because you’ve built upon the solid rock of Jesus. You will not be shaken or destroyed!

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

May 15

Be careful out there, big brother is watching! I just got some new electronics and was so excited about this new technology. There are some wonderful new features that I can’t wait to explore. Last night I was tinkering with the new Apple Pencil; my daughter had sent me an email and I decided to respond by marking it up with the new pencil. I took a screenshot, drew on it, made some notes and sent it back to her. A few minutes later, before she even saw my email, she called me and asked if I had screenshot it. She had gotten a notification! We were both blown away and freaking out a little. Gone are the days of being stealthy about your actions. We know God is watching, but now man has his finger on us too! Keeping your motives pure is the best way to be and is a godly attitude to have; that godly attitude may now be able to keep you from being embarrassed and out of trouble.  

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Proverbs 16:2 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

May 14

There is a native plant that grows up in the trees here in Florida that’s hardly ever noticed until it rains. If you do see it before the rains, it looks dead. It’s called resurrection fern. It goes from a dead, dried up looking, shriveled brown mess to a vibrant green, fully alive fern within a matter of hours. You’re hearing about it today because we’ve been having rain and I can see it in our trees again! This gives you a clear picture of why the Holy Spirit is often referred to as water. Water gives life. The Holy Spirit gives us life through surrendering to Jesus and never leaves us. He is living water, and we will never be thirsty again! We are very similar to that fern. When we turn our back on Jesus, we begin to dry out and shrivel up. We aren’t dead, but the further away from Jesus we wander, the more dry we become. We just need the Holy Spirit watering us back to life. Fill up on Jesus and the Holy Spirit every day!

Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 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 4:13-14

May 13

Happy Mothers Day! Today is a day full of great joy for many, but for others, it’s a day that reminds them of their loss. No matter what, it’s a nice day to honor her or her memory for all she has done for you. Most of us mom’s can’t live up to the expectation that the Proverbs 31 mother set, but each of us fit it in some parts, so don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t. God must feel strongly about honoring your mother because it’s one of His commandments. Don’t grieve yourself if you feel you can’t honor her, some mothers have been absent, forgive her. Hopefully someone else stepped up to fill in for the lack. Remember, this is a man made holiday and your mothers should be honored every day. May God bless this day and fill it full of joy!

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Proverbs 31:28