April 24

After finishing the book of Judges, the next book is Ruth. Ruth is somewhat of a continuation of Judges, because Boaz was a Judge in Bethlehem. If you read through it slowly, and soak in every morsel, you will notice that Boaz is a picture of Jesus.

The scripture lets us know that Boaz was much older than Ruth, and that she was not an Israelite. He commends her for not going after the younger men; he was taken by her because of her good reputation of loving, and working to help her mother in law, Naomi. There is even a moment where he gives her a morsel of bread and allows her to dip it in the bowl of wine, just like a picture of communion with Jesus. The secular definition of communion is, - “the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.” What a beautiful way to define communion! Ruth and Boaz shared this moment, even though communion hadn’t been instituted by Jesus yet, it is a precursor to what is to come. 

The next time you take communion, think of this definition; it is an intimate exchange between you, and Jesus. This is just one picture of Jesus in the book of Ruth; when you get the chance, read it, and see if you can find other morsels pointing to Jesus; you may be surprised.

And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.” So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed to her roasted grain. And she ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. Ruth 2:14

April 23

Have you ever experienced betrayal? Most of us have. Several things occur within us; hurt, disappointment, jealousy, anger, to name a few. We can’t comprehend why the person we love would turn away from us to go to another who hasn’t loved them like we have, especially when we know that the love the other person has for them is for their own selfish gain. Our loved one may have suffered from a moment of poor judgment, but the heartbreak within our soul cuts deep to our core. 

Imagine how Jesus feels when we turn away from him to please ourselves with our sinful desires. He has given us everything and yet we still seek pleasure from the evil things of this earth. It’s time for us to straighten up, take the narrow path, and stop chasing after the satisfaction of sin, and turn back to the one who has loved us enough to be tortured, and then hung on a cross, just to save us from being destroyed by our own wickedness. 

Today is the day, turn around, and run back to our Savior. He is waiting with open arms.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29

April 22

It’s amazing the difference a small change can make. For instance, you can paint a room a different color, and it will give it a whole new feel. Depending on the color you use, new paint could make it feel warm and cozy, or cooler and bigger. My daughter in love just added new flooring to her home, and the transformation is incredible. It went from eighties tile, to beautiful wood, which brought it into today’s style. If such a small change can transform your physical space, what simple change can you make to improve your spiritual well being? There are two things you can do that are simple, and free; read your Bible daily, and pray. It is a transformation that each of us needs, to be able to focus and redirect our lives to come in line with all that God has for us. Just like changing a room with new paint or flooring, simply talking to God through prayer, and listening to God through reading the Bible will do wonders for your life, and change your perspective for the better. Make a commitment today to transform your life by reading the word of God, and praying daily.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Acts 2:42

April 21

One of the greatest tragedies of our time is the sacrificing of our children. Even though we know it not to be true, many will say that they are nothing but tissue until they are born, or some kind of parasite living on its host. There are many places in the Bible that tells us that God knew us before we were born. 

The story of Samson begins with Jesus visiting Samson’s mother who was barren, to tell her that she would conceive a child that would be a Nazirite to God, and not to drink any wine or eat anything unclean because he would be a Nazirite from the womb to death. He did not want her to eat those foods forbidden for a Nazirite because her body feeds the baby. This is just one more instance where the Bible assures us that babies are human before they are born; science also proves this to be right. Supporters of abortion say ‘Let’s just cut that part out of the Bible, and believe only what we want to believe.’ The truth is, you either believe all of the Bible or you believe none of it! It becomes invalid if any portion is untrue. If you support abortion in any way, shape, or form, you do not know love, you do not know Jesus, the Holy Spirit does not reside in you, and you are on your way to hell! Forgive me for being so blunt, but you need to know the truth.

If you’ve had an abortion, there is forgiveness for you if you ask; Jesus knows you were lied to through man by the enemy, and will forgive you.

but he said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. So then drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’” Judges 13:7

April 20

Bless their hearts, Israel couldn’t stay focused on God, and would turn from him to chase after the gods of other countries. It seems interesting that they knew to go back to him and beg for his help. At one point God had had enough and told them, “Yet you have forsaken me, and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more.”  However, Israel cleaned up their act, got rid of the other gods, and because God couldn’t stand seeing them oppressed any longer, he sent Jephthah to fight for them. Jephthah had the spirit of God upon him, but made a vow to God that if he won this battle, he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his door, but unfortunately it was his only child, his daughter. God gave Jephthah victory, and so he kept his vow.

Do not make a vow to God that you can’t keep! We’ve all probably said things like, “God, if you’ll get me out of this, I will not________________again.” If that is the case for you, you had better keep your vow, otherwise keep your mouth shut, God doesn’t take these things lightly. Be careful of any words you speak over yourself; remember that the devil hears them too. (Judges 11)

"Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few."  Ecclesiastes 5:2

April 19

After Deborah, Israel had peace for 40 years; but, as usual, they did evil in the eyes of the Lord and began worshipping other gods, Baal, and Asherah. They were being oppressed by the Midian, who would come in and devour all their crops as soon as they were ready, and eat all their livestock. The Lord heard Israel’s cries for help, so he sent Gideon, a prophet. After a couple of tests to make sure it was God speaking to him, he gathered men to go against them. But God wanted all the credit, and sorted them out, down to only 300. Gideon went with his servant to scope out the competition, and got close enough to hear a dream one of the men had. In the dream Gideon defeated them; this gave him the confidence he needed, but caused fear to grow in the Midian. When Gideon armed his men with trumpets, and jars of fire, and surrounded them, it caused such a stir and fear within them, that some ended up killing themselves, and others ran for their lives. 

This is a much longer story with many details; I’ve summarized it to bring out a point; sometimes all it takes to become defeated is a rumor, lots of noise, and flashes of light. Make sure you dig deep into what is causing you fear; maybe the threat is minor, and can be easily overcome.

Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled. When they blew the 300 trumpets, the LORD set every man's sword against his comrade and against all the army. And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath. Judges 7:21-22

April 18

The children had grown tired of worshiping a God they couldn’t see, so they ventured out for new gods. Because of their disobedience of putting other gods before God, they were punished by being oppressed by Jabin the king of Canaan for twenty years. Deborah, who was the judge and prophetess, instructed Barak to gather men to go down and defeat Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, and return freedom to Israel. God gave Sisera’s army into the hands of Barak, with Deborah by his side, but Sisera got away. It would have been better for him to die by the sword, at the hand of Barak, but instead he hid, cowering under a rug in a tent, only to have a tent peg driven through his skull by a woman, Jael. Now, he will forever be known as being outsmarted by a woman unto death. Who is the hero of this story, Deborah, Barak, or Jael? Non of the above! God had heard the cries of his children who were being oppressed, and he alone designed a way to release them from the hand of their oppressors.

We too must cry out and ask God to release us from the hands of our oppressors, those who are willing to kill innocent babies, and the pre-born. This cannot be allowed to go on; laws giving women the right to sacrifice their young for the sake of convenience is an abomination. Let God hear your voice, keep pressing hard, until the lawless are destroyed, and God will turn our nation around for the better. 

So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel. And the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. Judges 4:23-24

April 17

Daily praise. Outside my window within view, I have a staghorn fern. I love gardening, but had never desired to have one, until I found one that had been left unattended for years on the ground in the yard of a house we purchased. I cleaned it up, and brought it home. I added chains, and bought an old chair hanger, and re-purposed it for my fern. I’ve had it for less than a year, and it is growing beautifully. A few weeks ago, I noticed something interesting; its leaves look like hands reaching up in praise. So every morning since then, I take notice of it praising the Lord. It reminds me that if I don’t praise him, my plant, without a voice, will. We were made to praise him, so don’t let a day go by without showing admiration to the One who breathes life into you. When Jesus said the rocks will praise him, he wasn’t kidding. Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord! My daily routine begins with repeating verses from John’s vision in Revelation, and I will often repeat them throughout the day. Memorize a few verses of praise, so you're always equipped to honor him who sits on the throne.

saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:12-13

April 16

Darkness is being brought into the light! I’ve been free for too long to allow a power hungry official to step in and take away my rights as an American citizen. I understand the need for protection from the plague, but here’s the thing, we need to protect ourselves, the elderly, and those who don’t have the ability to protect themselves. Those who choose to continue to live as if nothing is going on, take their lives into their own hands, and will have to live with the consequences. How long will we hold the hands of the ignorant? I’ve done my best to stock up on items I need so I can stay home, but there are times I must venture out. Trying to maneuver through people who act like they are invincible becomes a challenge, and it angers me that they are putting my life in danger, but it is still my responsibility to protect myself from careless, and stupid people. I never realized the power of the local officials until this virus; we cannot haphazardly vote in our local elections; they seem to have more power than our constitution! Please do not forget how your representatives voted or governed when they come up for re-election. Vote for those who preserve our freedom, and vote out the tyrants, or we will be like Israel living in Egypt as their slaves.

"For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light." Luke 8:17

April 15

We are living in a time of misunderstandings. This is nothing different than what has happened throughout history, and because of the anxiety it caused, it has often led to war. There are so many conspiracy theories going on right now, that my head is spinning! 

I’m reading Joshua, and the land has all been conquered and divided up among the tribes. Joshua has released the tribes of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, to go back to their land across the Jordan. They were so excited to go home that they built a replica of the altar. The other tribes came together to make war because it looks to them as a breach of faith against the Lord, and they didn’t want to suffer through all the plagues from the sins of others, like before. Once they cleared up the misunderstanding, all was well and no blood was shed.

The world is in crisis right now, it is best if we don’t fall for all the conspiracy theories, and stay in prayer, honor God, and fill our days with praise to him. The verse I’ve included is so beautiful, it says, “cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Nothing could be more important right now, than to “cling” to God, and trust that he has everything under control, and not allow our heads to go down the treacherous path of conspiracy! God will thresh out the lies, and shine a bright light on the enemy of the people, trust him.

Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5

April 14

We are all essential to Jesus! I surveyed my past jobs and realized that I’ve always worked an essential job, according to the new description of essential employees. I’ve worked in a grocery store, doctor's office, bank, and housing. However, my most precious job description is devotional writer, and I don’t get paid in money for doing it. I’m most excited to get up early and meet with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and try to understand which direction he wants me to take his message to his people. Today, I believe he wants me to tell you how essential you are to him. Though you may be sitting at home waiting for the economy to open back up, with worries about how you are going to pay your bills, you can be sure that this time of rest is to rejuvenate you, and make you appreciate all that God has given you. Sit back and relax, your part in the kingdom is no small part, and you are essential in making sure everyone who was invited in, is welcomed, and accepts Jesus as Savior. You may not know about the seeds you’ve planted in this lifetime, or how you cultivated the fertile ground, just know that you did, and people are coming to know Jesus because of you; the details will all be sorted out in Heaven, it’s then you will see all of your good work.

But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20

April 13

Many people witnessed Jesus’s ascension into heaven, to sit at the right hand of God the Father, and he remains there today. Jesus is on his throne! We can be sure that whatever we are going through, and any trials we may face, he is there to see us through it. It’s more important now than any point in our lives, to be mindful of those who are part of the count of the chosen ones. We don’t know who they are, but he does, so if you hear him call to you to bring a word to someone, resist the urge to disobey his voice. Step out and be bold, be strong, and be courageous; Jesus is with us. Submit to his authority, and you will witness his power as it comes upon you to walk in your calling, and as you confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, so others may come to know him as Savior. 

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]] Mark 16:19-20

April 12

When Mary went to the tomb on that early morning, she was expecting to cover Jesus’s body with the spices she had prepared, but instead, it was empty. HE HAD RISEN! She encountered the two angels, but didn’t seem to be alarmed by that, just disturbed that his body wasn’t there. Her heart was broken, and she was disappointed. Then she heard a voice, saw him, but didn’t recognize him or his voice until he called her name. 

Isn’t it funny that before we came to know Jesus, we knew of him, but until he called our name, we didn’t recognize him? Many people know of him, but not everyone has their eyes opened to see him as Savior and King. It’s not until he makes his presence known that we even notice how sinful we are; his presence makes us aware. Think about him today, as you remember how blessed we are to know him, and that he called our name out of the darkness, and into his light.

Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). John 20:14-16

April 11

A day of quiet, solitude, and aloneness. Jesus went to the cross alone, laid in the tomb alone, and he alone delivered our present sin and future sin, to hell! A day of reverence during this Holy Week is required for those who love him and are the beneficiaries of his kindness. A lot happened in the spiritual world, things we know nothing about, but our celebration continues as Jesus proves that what he said about himself is true, when he was resurrected from the dead to become our King forever. 

Even as we face destruction in this day and age, we know the ending because he told us. Have no fear, strengthen your faith, and honor Jesus for what he has done, and will do for us in the days to come. 

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Matthew 27:62-64

April 10

It seems wrong to call the day Jesus died on the cross, “Good Friday,” but with it he sealed the deal for all eternity, that we would no longer need to make sacrifices for our sins. He was the final sacrifice, and has made each of us whole, as we give our lives over to him. Today is a day of remembrance, a day to account for all he has done for us, as undeserving as we are. It’s a day of thankfulness that we do not have to endure the punishment for our crimes against God. Out of his love for us, he died in our place, so we could live on in eternity with him. Use today to reflect upon what he has done for you, count your blessings, one by one. 

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46

April 9

As we commemorate Maundy Thursday, the final Passover Jesus had with his disciples, remember some of the things that happened that night. It was the day the The Lord’s Supper was instituted, sin was flushed out from among them (Judas,) Jesus gave up his will to the Father, and the new command was given for us to love one another as he has loved us. We should not take these things lightly. To mix bunnies and eggs into this season is mocking this most reverent time of the year, and is a part of a secular ritual of paying tribute to the fertility goddess, Ishtar. We would do well to stop mixing the two together, and refrain from worshiping other gods, especially while worshiping Jesus. It’s time to start new traditions, and to make Jesus the focus of this season, as we were his only focus when he went to the cross as a sacrifice for our sin. I like colorful eggs, and bunnies too, but during this solemn time, we should honor Jesus with all of our attention. 

Don’t feel bad about yourself if you’ve already decorated with all the cute Easter things, this too is forgivable. Tonight, have communion with your family, flush out the sin within you, remember Jesus’s sacrifice, and love one another as he has loved you.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

April 8

Are you sick of hearing about the Coronavirus? Well, I am! Today, I bring you some good news! We are in a season of rest, and it coincides with Passover, and will end with the celebration of Jesus’s resurrection. I’m reading through the book of Joshua, and Israel is preparing to take over the promised land, and have just celebrated Passover, and for the first time in years, manna was no longer there for them to eat because they were enjoying the fruit of the land of Canaan. Side-note: many of the people of the United States are about to get a check from the government - fruit of the land! It was right after this solemn time that Joshua encountered the Commander of the Lord’s army, who was none-other than Jesus! We know it was the Lord, because he made him take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. I believe this appearance gave Joshua the courage to pursue the land he was commanded to take over. The Lord was with Israel, went before them, covered their flanks, and was the rear guard! Be encouraged today! The Commander of the Lord’s army is with us! 

As I read the scripture today, I became overwhelmed by his holiness, and the assurance that Jesus is with us always, but more importantly, he is with us during our current battle, and goes before us as Commander. I’m excited to see what happens on the other side of this trial. 

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:13-15

April 7

I was in my sewing room and heard something walking on the roof, and I could tell it wasn’t a squirrel. I ran downstairs as quickly as I could to catch the culprit, and there it was, as black as night, a buzzard! I had to run clear across to the neighbor's yard to see it, and then I saw another one standing only a few feet from me. The woods beside my house was full of them, something had died, and they were cleaning up the mess. They seem disgusting, but they aren’t there to hurt anyone, they only eat what is dead, unlike hawks, and owls, who take their prey alive. They were very interesting to see up close, and seem perfectly groomed with every feather in place, and glistening in the sun. 

Death is inevitable, we all have a clock that is ticking away, and when our time is up, we will meet our maker. We can’t prolong it; God is in charge of our time, and it will be up when he sees fit. However, we live on in eternity, but where we spend it depends upon the decision we make in the here and now. Thankfully, I’m writing to those who have chosen wisely, and will spend eternity with Jesus. I’m blessed to call you my friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. Don’t worry about tomorrow, our days are kept by Jesus, and he will care for us all the days of our lives.

"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 

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."  Psalm 90:12

April 6

The next day, after Jesus had been exalted and praised by the people as he came into Jerusalem, he was hungry. He had lodged overnight in Bethany, and was coming back into the city, and came across a fig tree full of leaves. To his dismay, it had no fruit, it was barren. In frustration, he cursed it, and it wilted. 

Are you fruitful? This is a physical parable. He saw the tree full of leaves, but no fruit, and he cursed it, never to produce fruit again. The point of this is that we must walk the walk if we are going to talk the talk. We can dress up like a Christian, and a lot of people do, but that’s not enough, we must also bear fruit, or be cursed. Jesus is hungry; make sure you satisfy his appetite. This is not about working to become saved, you are already saved; this is about working because you are saved. Faith without works is dead. 

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:12-14

"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:17

April 5 Palm Sunday

Jesus sent two of his disciples into the city to find a donkey colt and bring it to him. It was a few days before Passover and the city was buzzing with activity, and teaming with people who were there for the feast. Many Jews had heard about Jesus raising Lazarus after he had been dead for four days, and were turning and believing in Jesus. You could almost imagine the Pharisees faces when Jesus came riding into the city and the people shouting, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” waving their palm branches and laying their coats in the street in honor of him. The Pharisees were seething with hatred of him, and it overtook them so they couldn’t see who he was. It is quite sad to think that they missed a wonderful opportunity to worship the Creator while he walked the earth, something most of us long for. However, there was a plan, and though they were evil, they had a purpose, and God used them to bring about our Salvation. 

Though we are not together in church this morning, I want you to know that I believe this virus is bringing us together. Just this morning I was able to listen to a message from Pastor Ezekiel in Africa, as he was live streaming. He was speaking of triumphing over this evil, even though we must distance ourselves. I may have never been able to hear my friend preach otherwise. What Satan intended for evil, God used for good! I believe that is the message of the day. Satan intended evil to come from this virus, but God is using it for his good. We will worship Jesus, and honor him, whether we are physically together, or virtually together. 

If you put palm branches on your door today, please share a photo here, and post it to your page! It will be symbolic of Jesus triumphant entry, and we can be part of the parade, and honor him at the same time. Don’t be silent today.

saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:38-40