September 6

To the followers of Christ: One of the Ten Commandments is, “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.” Jesus who is God, obeyed all the laws that he created, but then was accused by the Pharisees of breaking that commandment because he healed someone on the Sabbath. Isn’t that insane? He was trying to do good only to be accused of disobedience to the law. Sometimes doing the right thing cost you. This particular instance was all they needed to have a reason to put Jesus on trial. He never broke the commandment. The Jews had set up fence laws to keep people from breaking a commandment. Sometimes rules created for protection end up being the rules that break the people they are trying to protect. There was nothing unholy about making someone whole, and giving new life to an individual who needed help, yet the Pharisees  found fault with it. God gave that law so people would take a break, and not overwork their people and animals. Oftentimes, laws get in the way of good common sense.

And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” John 5:15-17

September 5

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an issue with food. As a child, I suffered with allergies and asthma, and was very thin because the medication curbed my appetite. In my late teens and early twenties, I went through a phase where I barely ate; my diet consisted of mostly potatoes, and got thin again. I was twenty-four when I got pregnant with my son, and barely weighed 98 pounds! That’s when it all changed; I gained forty-seven pounds and have struggled to keep my weight down ever since. During the menopausal stage of my life, I gave up meat for fear of added hormones. Now, I’m eating a proper human diet and think I have my obsession with food under control. I have become less concerned with my appetite, and don’t freak-out over missing a meal. Jesus doesn’t want us to be obsessed with anything but Him, and to feast on Him and his Word. If worldly things are controlling your behavior, it's time to let it go. When you have no willpower, seek God and use His power to overcome. 

But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. John 4:32-34

September 4

Have you ever asked God for wisdom? As Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom to help him govern a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. He hadn’t asked for the normal things that most would expect, like possessions, wealth, honor, death to his enemies, or long life. Because of his heart, God gave him wisdom, but also gave him wealth and honor, more than any other king. He was a peaceable king, so maybe wisdom is the key to peace. Going to college doesn’t make you wise, but putting that knowledge to work does. Reading your Bible is good, but doing what it says is wise. Part of being wise is to set a guard on our heart, and not let anything in that can cause harm. Fill your mind with the things of God, let go of the things of man that ravage your mind. Today, ask God to give you wisdom, and maybe it will be wisdom that will bring about the other things you desire.

wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.” 2 chronicles 1:12

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23

September 3

I live in a small townhouse community of thirty-six homes. It is a beautiful area, and all of the homeowners are diligent in their efforts to keep it that way. Twice a week, we roll our trash cans out to the curb for pick-up, then we roll them back into our garage to hide them away. We have a new neighbor that probably doesn’t know that rule, and has left them out for all to see. Everybody sees their trash, but no one has said anything to them about it, so they continue in their folly. I’ve met these people, and they are very nice. We are all looking on as they continue breaking the rules, and they don’t even know! Wouldn’t it be nice if someone told them, rather than they get a notice from the homeowner’s association? I’ll bet they would appreciate that more than feeling the sting of a warning. The same holds true for your friend who continues in their sin. Do you try and turn them around, or do you let them continue, and get a harsh warning from God? Anyone who hasn’t accepted Jesus is in sin, and is under God’s wrath. Be a good neighbor and tell them, they may not know any better.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36

September 2

I’m overwhelmed with excitement! I heard back from the literary agent, and her company is going to publish my book! I’m still waiting on the details, but I’ve signed a contract! My book is being assigned to a team that will handle everything from the editing, to the book cover. This woman sent me emails, called me, and was about to give up. I then began to hear the voice of God prodding me to get busy. When you get confirmation from God that this is what you are supposed to do, and you know that you know, then the Spirit will move you forward at a pace you may not be used to. It only took me a few days to read through, and clean up more than 78,000 words, and make it presentable.  Are you mulling over something that God has put on your heart to do? Maybe it’s going back to school, a ministry that needs your help, or there’s someone who needs you to tell them about Jesus. Whatever it is, you’re not alone, the Holy Spirit, who keeps reminding you about your mission, will be with you to help you complete it. Time is short, so step out today toward the goal He wants you to accomplish.

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4

September 1

Fear and anxiety go hand in hand. Watching a huge storm barrel toward you can cause you to project disaster; there’s a good reason, we’ve seen the devastation it can cause, and the years it takes to recover. We’ve also seen the predictions as far as five or six days out, be completely wrong. The point is that you make yourself ready, but don’t panic or get anxious over something that hasn’t happened, that’s fear! Because of fear, people were fighting over water, sitting in long lines waiting for gas, and causing havoc all over the place. What good has it done? None. You won’t get the water that’s not on the shelf, you can’t fill your tank if the gas station is out. The eastern United States knows it’s hurricane season and should already be prepared! Jesus is the solution to your fear and anxiety; He is the one who calms the storm within you. He can even give you peace as disaster strikes, but it’s up to you to listen to Him. He will calm you as you call out His name; you belong to Him, use His name to bring on your peace. JESUS! JESUS! JESUS!

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Proverbs 1:32-33

August 31

If you truly have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you, your old ways will begin to fall from you. We have enormous trees in our yard. Richard is careful to keep the branches away from the house so they are less likely to fall and damage our roof. However, he doesn’t bother the branches that don’t pose an immediate threat. One of our trees had a weakness in one of its branches, and fell missing his truck by inches! This was no small branch, nearly the size of a tree. The structure of the tree is still sturdy and strong, but now it’s weakness was eliminated. We are similar to that tree, except that most of our weaknesses needing to be eliminated are internal. Jesus said in Matthew 5:30, “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” He was serious about us removing sin from our lives! He also said that every branch that doesn’t bear fruit is cut off! Today, ask God to show you where you are failing Him, then ask for help to remove that weakness from your life so you stay strong and sturdy, and are able to bear more fruit!

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:1-2

August 30

My great-aunt Jean lived in a little pink house in the small town of Ft. Meade, Florida. She was fancy! She always drove a nice vehicle, and wore the most current styles. She collected some of the finest things, making her home quite charming, and decorated with a mix of Victorian and southern charm. She was so proud of me and my writings, and even had her church coordinate a book signing for my first book. After she passed away, I was able to choose some things from her home to take for my own. On her porch sat two intricately detailed rockers, which I had admired. Her daughter was gracious, and allowed me to have them. I’m not sure where I’m going to put them, but now I have something she loved, and they are becoming something I love. 

In yesterday’s post I talked about things we don’t want to pass on, but today is about passing on things we love, like Jesus. These rockers that were passed to me are dainty, yet grand like a throne, and they will make me feel like royalty when I sit in them. We are royalty, and it’s the heritage in Jesus we must pass on to our children. Teach your children about Jesus, so they too will be sons and daughters of the King.

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

August 29

When my great Aunt Jean passed away, her daughter called my Aunt Iris to see if she wanted an old sewing machine that had been passed on to her by her Aunt Rowena, which was my great-great-aunt. My Aunt Iris didn’t want it, but knew who might, and she was right! I wanted it. As part of taking the sewing machine, I also had to take all the things Aunt Rowena had made, so now I have some cute little dolls, a couple of hand crocheted bed covers, plus some other items that were passed from her.

My Aunt Rowena was described as a little crazy. I’m not sure what that meant, but I can tell you, the buck stops here! What are you passing down to your children or grandchildren? Are they admirable qualities, or do you need to let go of a few things? Jesus is in the business of healing, especially issues of the mind that are holding us captive. When we release all of our troubles to Him, and change our mindset with the help of the Holy Spirit, peace returns to us and the quality of life we pass on becomes exceptional. Don’t accept the “heirloom” of the “crazy” gene, stop it in its tracks with the help of Jesus. 

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5

August 28

Many years ago, I prayed and asked God to tell me my new name. My given name has meaning, and though I’m sure my mother thought she was naming me herself, you can bet the Holy Spirit had a say. Teresa means harvester, and Ann means grace and favor. I got an answer when I asked Him my new name, I distinctly heard Him say, “Conqueror.” I triumph in victory every day! When Simon met Jesus for the first time, He changed his name to Cephas/Peter which means, “stone.” I’m sure it was endearing to him to have just met the Messiah and immediately receive his new name. There may be a connection with Peter’s name meaning stone, and our new name, because Revelation 2:17 says that it will be written on a white stone. I encourage you to look up your name and see if it fits your profile, then ask Him your new name. You’ll know, because it will keep following you around, and you won’t be able to shake it off.

I think it would be interesting for you to share with us if you hear the name He has given you.

"He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter)." John 1:42

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ Revelation 2:17

The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. Isaiah 62:2

August 27

Richard and I had our neighbor, who is a fishing guru, give us directions to a good fishing hole, by following him out there in our boat. Little did we know it was fifteen miles away and that we were already low on fuel. We were starting to get nervous because he kept going and going. They had fished there before, and had caught a load of snapper. We finally got there and began making our way back to the marina to get some gas. We had told our neighbor that we were low before we left the fishing grounds, and noticed that he hung out near the path to the marina to make sure we didn’t get stranded. We made it, but I think we were running on fumes! That man was standing in for Jesus, and had been appointed to watch over us for that moment in time. You’ve got to love the heart of someone who cares! When you’re running on empty, and are no longer capable, God can show you His grace. When we are weak, He is strong. Keep your eyes open for those moments, and give thanks and praise to the One who got you through it.

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16

August 26

Our little island getaway is located near the mouth of the Peace River. After weeks of rain, the river fills, and then flows into the gulf bringing with it all the runoff and tannin, which makes the water brown in the harbor and on the beach. It’s disappointing when you’re expecting the beauty of the azure seas, but it still has a beauty that can’t be denied. Life is not easy, and we all have our own set of trials, no matter how blissful someone’s life appears, you can bet they have their own set of problems. If it was all roses and butterflies, we wouldn’t need Jesus, but we need Him! Never wish away your own life, no matter how challenging it becomes. Eventually, the blue water will overtake, and the brown water will be diluted by the salty blue, and its beauty will return. Remember, some days you will have azure seas, but others may be ugly and brown. Thank God for both.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

August 25

As lawlessness increases and false prophets arise and lead many astray, I believe there is the need to strengthen our spiritual armor. It is vitally important that we know God’s Word, that we keep diligently searching the scriptures, and increasing our understanding. Much of what we have been taught by well meaning people, may not coincide with the truth. Some are not to be blamed, it’s how they were taught, and they didn’t question it because they trusted the teacher. I’m trying not to be cynical, but the more false teachers are being brought into the light, the more cynical I become. I’m not talking about one particular person, because there are so many! Listen to the scriptures you are reading. Do they match the teaching? If they don’t, ask the Holy Spirit for understanding, and He will guide you to the truth. I wish there was a list so we could block our ears when they begin to babble, but there isn’t, and if there was, could we trust the list? We must put our trust in the One who is within us to keep our minds safe.

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:11-13

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:11

August 24

As I was reading Ezekiel, I decided that I needed to read something more positive, so I picked a verse out of the air. When I went there, it was the verse about Jesus being led to the house of Caiaphas. The only thing positive about todays message is Jesus, and everything He went through to bring us salvation. In Ezekiel’s vision, six destroying angels were ready to be sent out with weapons in hand. Jesus was there and told to mark those who were in grief over the abominations being committed. The six were told to slaughter all who didn’t have a mark. I hope for your sake that the abominable things happening in the world today, bring you grief. It makes me sick to hear of the detestable acts of humans in the effort to prove that they are in charge of their own bodies. Their rejection of God is even more sickening. They think they are wise following their own human desires, but in the end, they will be sent to hell. They can recover from this nonsense, but it will take an intervention by the Holy Spirit. 

And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:33-34

August 23

I finally finished the manuscript for my book! The formatting is complete, the Grammarly editing has been done, and I gave it a name. This time, I stepped out beyond my comfort zone, and presented it to a publisher through a literary agent. It’s a bit nerve wracking, but it’s also exciting! I self-published the first book, even creating the cover using the artwork of a friend. I’m prepared to do that again, and if I get rejected by the publisher, I’m okay with that; I’ve released all control of this process to God, so if He wants this to go beyond me, He will make it happen; I’m content with it either way. To go back and re-read those devotions, was like walking back through time. I didn’t realize how much of my life I poured out for all to see; though I don’t always tell you exactly what I’m going through, or even that it’s me going through it, you do get my raw emotion and a lesson from the Lord. The lesson today, stop procrastinating what you’ve been dreading! If the Lord is in it, He will get you through it. It’s much easier when you let Him take charge.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

August 22

Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our deepest desires, and can pick through the garbage within us and narrow it down to what’s in our heart. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I don’t know what I want, I think I do, and place a name on it, but is it truth? As an example, let’s say you long to shop in the most exclusive stores, like Neiman Marcus, and purchase whatever you want, including designer exclusives. It is an overpriced store, and some of the things they sell are hideous, but you think it will make you happy. Is it the items you long for, or is it the notoriety you receive because your wealth is on display? Maybe in your heart you want to impress the social-lights, or be invited into an exclusive club. Jesus can see right through all of the unnecessary steps you take to be included, loved, and recognized. He also knows that after you hand the clerk your credit card, and walk out the door, the items in your shopping bag will leave you deflated. He knows you best, and the truth of your desires. Put away the credit cards, and trust Him to bring you joy. 

But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. John 2:24-25

August 21

I’ve heard God’s voice, not audibly, but I know it when I hear it. He has repeated Himself many times, through other believers, non-believers, and through a nagging sense that I feel inside. I’d convinced myself that it’s too much work, and it is a lot of work, but it’s time. What I’m talking about is editing for my next book of devotionals. I’ve realized that not everyone is on social media, or wants to look up a website daily, so in order to reach as many as possible, I need to offer it in the form of a book. Now that I’ve started the process, I realized that it’s not that hard, except for correcting the “passive voice.” What I post daily is raw and unedited, forgive me. We know when God is prodding us; I knew it was Him, especially after hearing Him three times, but now He’s gone beyond that, so I should probably begin to fear because of my disobedience. The point of me telling you this today is because you know God’s voice; don’t deny Him when He calls to you. 

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:4

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, John 10:14

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

August 20

I have a friend who doesn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. He has a neighbor who professes to be a Christian. My friends water went out so he attached his hose to the neighbors water supply. The water comes from a well, so there is no charge for the water, except for the electricity that it uses, and that is minimal. Yes, my friend should have asked, but he didn’t, and the neighbor was distraught over his audacity. Now, my friend is without water, until his own pump is repaired. I’m sure he must have had a good reason for not wanting to share, but by his actions, he has tarnished the image of Christ. What’s worse is my friend knows the neighbor professes Jesus. Why would anyone want to be a Christ-follower when those who follow Him still act worldly? Think about how your actions affect others. Love your neighbor!

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12

August 19

Aren’t you afraid? I’m not talking about the fear of man, what can he do? He can only take your body and has no control of your eternity.  If there is any fear, it should be what we are doing to ourselves by not believing that the Almighty God is who He says He is. We have made the opinions of others, and how we appear, more important than following the Word of the Lord. We have a fear of not fitting in, and seek to impress the world so we may be looked upon in a different light. We see this all the time, especially in social media, where a person will make sure their BMW, or other fancy vehicle is displayed in their pictures. I’ve even seen it where someone will show other people’s wealth in photos, just to make others think it is theirs! Why in the world would you care? We are heir to the kingdom of God! There is nothing higher than that. Earthly wealth will disappear, or someone else gets it when you die. Study the Lord, learn of His attributes, and seek to please Him.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

August 18

Are you striving over disappointments or rejection? Go to a place where you can find peace in the living God, the God of our salvation. It is only through Him that all of our burdens are lifted, but it is up to us to unload the heavy weight; release it to Him and walk away. Stop stressing over the things you cannot control. You have done your best, and have kept from sin, and yet the outcome has still not gone your way; there is a reason, you are not in control, God is! Wait on Him, have faith that all things will work out in His timing, and not before. Trust in Him, and be patient as He works out the details of what is to come. 

If this sounds like you, you're not alone, I am also dealing with disappointment. I have a plan and have done my part, but cannot go on to the next adventure until God makes His move. I know things will work out, but it is in His timing. Waiting is hard, but what else can we do?

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