May 15

Can you imagine getting a call from the king for you to come before him so he could show you the kindness of God? God’s kindness is the pinnacle of kindness, and with that kindness, God had King David restore to Mephibosheth all that his grandfather, King Saul, had owned, appointed servants to work the land for him, and gave him a place at the king's table. Mephibosheth was crippled, and now he would never have to worry about where his next meal would come from. King David did this to honor Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father, who had died in battle, and to fulfill the covenant he had with him. 

Be patient in your waiting; God has heard your prayers and is aligning things so that those prayers may be answered. Write down those prayers so you don’t forget about them, and can give God all the glory he deserves when he shows you godly kindness.

"And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”" 2 Samuel 9:3

May 14

And just like that, things change! We make plans, but the Lord establishes our steps. For as long as I can remember, my mother has been a hairdresser, my hairdresser! After this coronavirus shut down, she decided that it was time for her to retire. I know a lot of people are disappointed; she is truly an artist, and her skills go beyond hair. This new lifestyle is going to be quite a transition for her, but believe me, she will find things to do; she doesn’t sit still for very long. When you are an artist, you are usually creative in other areas; she is a gardener, painter, flutist, pianist, and the list goes on. She never stopped doing those things, but now she will have a little more time to enjoy them. I’m so blessed to have her, and now I will be able to spend a little more time with her. God truly knows what the heart needs, and he blessed me with an amazing mother to guide and direct my path. Happy retirement mom!!

Would you join me in praying for my mother today? Pray that she would continue with good health for many years to come, and that she would do well with her transition into retirement. 

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

May 13

Have you ever watched a clock with hands as the seconds tick away the time? It is amazing how quickly it changes. I’m reminded of this because I have two clocks in my living area, and when it’s quiet, I can hear time dying, never to be recovered again. The older I get, the more I realize how precious time is, and it disappears with every tick of the clock. However, each of our personal time span is different, and our clock may tick faster or slower than others because we are not the ones who set the alarm to tell when time is up; it is God. Life is not about things, it’s about a relationship with God through our Savior, Jesus. Many will not realize this until they begin to see the end, if they get that opportunity. If you set your heart on God, time won’t matter anymore; and if you truly believe that all things happen in God’s timing, then you will leave anxiety with the being who created it, the enemy. Place your trust in God’s hands, and you will live a peaceful life, even when the world is tumultuous.

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

May 12

We judge people so severely without knowing what’s going on in their heart. Remember the story of King David bringing the ark of the covenant into the City of David? Scripture says he danced before the Lord with all his might; he was a happy man! However, Michal, the daughter that Saul gave to David as a wife when he paid a brides price, was embarrassed by the way he acted and lashed out at him. It made me angry at her for being unkind to the king we all love.

There is a backstory that is forgotten because we read chapter by chapter, and don’t put the storyline together; at least that’s my experience. Out of anger for David, Saul gave Michal to another man after she had become David’s wife, but David never forgot about her, and asked the King of Israel, Ish-bosheth, to return Michal to him as part of a covenant between them. Ish-bosheth took her away from her husband, all while her husband followed her sobbing, and returned her to David.

Her anger towards David for dancing in the street nearly naked may have had little to do with the dancing, and more to do with her circumstances. She had probably never forgiven David for upending her life. It wasn’t her fault that her dad the king, had given her away to another man, and it wasn’t her fault the Ish-bosheth took her away from that husband. My heart breaks for her now that I know the rest of the story. Some people are just nasty because they’re nasty, but some have suffered; all the more reason to be kind to others, even when they lash out.

As the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart. 2 Samuel 6:16

May 11

The Christian and secular world are always in turmoil when Bible scholars, and translators try to correct inaccuracies found in some translations of the Bible. Unless you read Greek or Hebrew, you are getting a translation. Today’s versions are not a re-translation of other older versions, but a new, and probably a more accurate version of the original manuscripts, and more understandable to us in the current language we speak.

The reason I mention this is because as I read the story of David and Goliath, I wonder why Saul speaks as if he doesn’t know David at all. The order of the story would place David in his home playing the lyre the help him calm his angry mind. Saul was a little crazy because the Spirit of the Lord had left him, and that could be why he didn’t recognize him after he killed Goliath. According to the scholars that I follow, if you placed the story of David working in Saul’s home playing the lyre (1 Samuel 16:14-23) between Joshua 18:9 and Joshua 18:10, then it would make more sense as to why Saul didn’t recognize David after he killed Goliath. In doing that, it would disrupt the whole world, and that’s most likely where Samuel put it, so it must stay there; but that’s probably why it reads the way it does. This is not up for debate, just me thinking out loud. Your Bible is not wrong, and you have all you need to make a good decision about following Jesus.

And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.” 1 Samuel 17:58

May 10

We, as Christians, don’t fully understand how much God is for us, and how he fights the evil that comes against us. I think it behooves us to refrain from becoming overzealous when going after our own because they are still chosen. We are imperfect as humans, and sometimes we get it wrong, but God is still for us. We may suffer the consequences for our behavior, but we are forgiven in the eyes of God because of our Savior Jesus. There are ministers and denominations that I don’t agree with, but other than making corrections to their misunderstandings by showing proper backing in the scriptures, we should not pursue to kill, but to correct. 

King David, even though Saul had pursued him to kill him, he didn’t commend the one who killed Saul, but had him killed. Saul was still chosen, even though he did evil. During the time when there were two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, Rechab and Baanah killed Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, king of Israel, and brought the head to King David. Though they thought they had done a good thing, David considered it evil, and called Ish-bosheth a righteous man, and had Rechab and Baanah killed. Let us not slay one another, but wait for the recompense of the wicked to be brought about by God.

when one told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?” 2 Samuel 4:10-11

May 9

You will be rejected; it’s more about who you are, and less about how you are. David had taken up residence among the Philistines, and was headed out to help them in a battle against Israel. Even though he had been kind to Achish, the commanders of the Philistine army made him send David and his men away, and wouldn’t allow them to fight with them in case David decided to turn on them. I’m sure this was God orchestrated, because David shouldn’t have been readied to fight against Israel. God had saved David from becoming a stench among his own people. When you feel the sting of rejection, analyze it carefully, which is what we all do anyway, but look at it through the eyes of God. What is he protecting you from? Is it designed to push you forward into other pursuits? Is this rejection saving you from future heartache? Don’t look at it with a “woe is me” attitude; even though it still hurts, know that because you are chosen by God, he is protecting you and guiding you for his purposes. David was to become King, and had he killed even one Israelite, his future would have been ruined. Without God protecting David, our future would have been destroyed, because David was the set up for our own future King, Jesus!

And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ 1 Samuel 29:9

May 8

Is it a setup? Many times the Bible mentions that we should stay away from fortune tellers, astrology, tarot cards, palm readings, and other such influencers. What do you think happens when we delve into such as this? Do they really tell us what is going to happen in our lives, or is it a setup to put into motion the devil's plan? 

Saul was so afraid to fight against the Philistines; he inquired of God to see what he should do, but got no answer. Saul knew the ways of the righteous, because he had gotten all the psychics and mediums out of the land; but when he didn’t hear back from the Lord, he decided to seek the services of a medium and conjure up Samuel who had died, and it worked! However, we have to ask, was it Samuel or was it the devil in disguise? Bible scholars have differing opinions about this, but when you thresh it out with the help of other portions of scripture, you get a good answer. When God tells us not to seek out psychics or mediums, there is a reason; it opens us up to demonic influences. Remember, Paul told us that the devil will disguise himself as an angel of light. After hearing what the medium told him, he lost all hope, because, “Samuel” said that tomorrow he and his sons would be with him. During the battle with the Philistines, he killed himself, because he had been injured and didn’t want to be killed by the uncircumcised. Would he have lived? Who knows, but his sons and his armor bearer died that day too. 

The lesson: don’t read astrology, seek the services of a psychic, have your palm read, get a tarot card reading, or any other such things; they are products of the devil and may influence you in his ways, and send you down a path of destruction.

Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 28:19

May 7

At the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak, and before wearing a mask had become popular, I began making masks for my neighbors, and my family. One such receiver of my gift, made me a little regretful of my compassion for them. After giving these people special PPEs, and kindly leaving it at their door, I get a call complaining that it didn’t fit, and that it was too small. This same design had fit every person that I had given it to, and this person’s head wasn’t any bigger. I hurried and made another one, extending the length, only to find out that they had put it on upside down. It made me think of the saying, “no good deed goes unpunished”! Even though these same people continue to be harsh, I will reach out to them, as the Holy Spirit leads.

David had a few regretful moments, one of them for guarding Nabal’s shepherds, and keeping them safe while they were in the wilderness. After this kindness, David sent his men to get food from Nabal, but he turned them away, and treated them harshly. Thankfully, Nabal’s wife Abigail, heard what he had done, and gathered food for David and his men. After Abigail told Nabal what she had done to save them, he had heart failure, and died ten days later. The Lord had avenged David and his men, then he made Abigail his wife. 

The lesson: if you have been treated badly, don’t take the matter into your own hands, the Lord will avenge you.

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the LORD who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The LORD has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head.” Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife. 1 Samuel 25:39

May 6

I’ve been writing this devotional for several years. When I began, I made a commitment to post a scripture each day; then scriptures on pictures. Once I got comfortable with that, I included a short commentary on what God had shown me, and it grew from there. He even gave me the ability to publish a couple of books. There are days that I feel empty, and don’t know what to write, but God, in his compassion for me, will give me words to help me along. Sometimes I will write a sentence, and use words that I don’t know the meaning; this is how great he is, and how I know he is helping me. The reason I’m telling you all of this is because if God can do this for me, he will do this for you, but it may not look the same because we all have different spiritual gifts. It doesn’t happen all at once as you can see from my own progression, but if you will be faithful and commit to a small thing, he will bless you, and give you increase. I get very emotional when I think of how he has trusted me to feed his sheep; it is the most fulfilling part of my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful that he allows me to serve him. The Holy Spirit has something for you; today, ask him to show you what it is.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. Luke 16:10

May 5

Growing up in a Southern Baptist church, our services were quite mild. Everyone sang the songs from the hymnal, and then quietly sat and listened to the message. No one got out of control, or raised their hands in praise, no one answered back to the preacher, other than an occasional “amen.” One time I was invited to go to church with my friend, who was a Pentecostal, boy was that an eye opener! I was struck with fear because I had never seen anything like it. There were people running up and down the isles, others speaking in tongues, and I even saw someone healed! I was young, so I didn’t know what to think about it. As an adult thinking back on that experience, I rationalized that it wasn’t real, and it certainly couldn’t be biblical! I was wrong! After studying the word of God over the years, I realized that the move of the Spirit is real; falling out is real, speaking in tongues is real, and healing is real, and it’s biblical. Don’t get me wrong, there will be fakers, and those seeking to impress others by their “spirituality,” but repentance is due from them because of their lies.

Saul had sent his messengers to capture David, and bring him in to be killed. David was hiding in a town of prophets, and when they came to get him, they fell under the control of the Spirit, and they prophesied. It happened several times, until Saul came himself, but, he fell under the Spirit too, and David was able to escape. You may say, “oh, this is Old Testament teaching,” don’t kid yourself, it's in the New Testament too. You would know these things to be true, if you read your Bible, especially when you read it with a surrendered heart. Surrender, so God will open your heart to the truth.

And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 1 Samuel 19:23-24

May 4

The story of David and Jonathan, and the friendship they had, was not only beautiful, and something to emulate, but it was also a divine appointment by God. What was more important than the friendship, was the act that took place that sealed the deal for David’s future. Jonathan loved David, and as an act of kindness he stripped himself, and passed on to him his robe, armor, belt, bow, and sword; by doing this he made a covenant with him, and paved the way for David to become king. Jonathan was in line for kingship, but he unknowingly gave it up to David in this act of love.  

In our daily lives, we sometimes do or say things that become a prophecy, and set the stage for our future. One example is, as a youth, I remember saying to myself that I was only going to have one child; I couldn’t be happier, but I could almost hear God laughing when I said it. Though I only gave birth to one child, I raised six others to adulthood. The reason I’m telling you this is so you will be careful with your thoughts, and the things you speak over yourself; just as Jonathan, you may be setting the stage for your future. Watch your words and actions, there may be consequences for them.

Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:3-4

May 3

The story of David and Goliath gives all of us hope. When we face the challenges of life that seem bigger than we are, it’s nice to refer back to the story of a warrior, who relied on the power of God to defeat the likes of a 9 1/2 foot giant! Though what you are facing may seem insurmountable, nothing is impossible with God. With all challenges, there will be pessimist who will try to defeat you before you even get started, just like David’s older brother who was harassing him for being on the battlefield. If David had listened to him, and not gone on to defeat Goliath, all of Israel would have become the slaves of the Philistines, and David wouldn’t have become the superhero that he was. It’s nice to have such a person to emulate when facing our own battles, and someone to look to as an example as we place our faith in God when we go on to defeat our own enemies. Today, as you face life’s challenges, remember David and Goliath, and put your faith in the Almighty, just as he did.

This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:46-47

May 2

You are chosen. Samuel had Jesse bring his sons before him, but the Lord rejected each of them. I’m sure Jesse thought that one of his older sons would be the one, surely it wasn’t the youngest! Samuel had Jesse send for David, who was tending sheep, and as soon as he appeared, he was anointed, and the Holy Spirit rushed upon him from that day forward; then Samuel left! That was it, no further need to hang around or advise him. He didn’t become king that day, he wasn’t ready; however, he had been anointed for service, much like when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Now he had to go through trials, and learn to listen to the Lord, and follow him closely. We don’t think about that when we become a Christian; accepting Jesus is just the beginning, there is much to learn. God sends us through rigorous training, but not like we expect; you don’t even know you are being trained! If you pay attention, you will notice his hand in every aspect of your life. What you learn during that process is to trust him, and to acknowledge that it is he who is taking you through the trials, how you handle it is up to you. Bend so you don’t break; that’s what it means to surrender.

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13

May 1

The Lord looks at our heart. Many people try to appear godly by putting on a beautiful display, dressing to perfection, and speaking empty words to cover the truth.

Saul didn’t follow the instructions of the Lord when he went to war, and the Lord regretted making him king. He sent Samuel to anoint a new king from the family of Jesse, a Bethlehemite. When he saw Eliab, he was sure that this son was the one the Lord wanted, but God had other plans, and told Samuel not to look at his height or stature because he had rejected him, and told him that he looks at the heart. This should cause many to tremble; you can look as spiffy as you want, but God can see the hate hidden in your heart. 

As each of us try to keep a nasty virus at bay by staying clean and washing our hands continuously, if we don’t have a clean heart, we may already be dead. Pray that the Lord brings to your attention any areas of your heart that need refining, and allow him to do a work in you. I don’t know about  you, but I would never want to be passed up for promotion like Eliab, and his brothers, because of an unclean heart.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:6-7

April 30

While I walked on the beach, I asked the Holy Spirit to speak to me and reveal a lesson that I could share. One of the ways I hear God’s voice is through his creation. As I walked, I noticed some scattered debris that had washed up, and had been pushed high up on the shore, probably at a very high tide. So I moved from the wet sand to pilfer through the debris, because I know that sometimes I can find treasure hidden underneath. As I walked along the high tide line, I noticed that the temperature was much hotter. I had moved away from the cool, clear water, up to the dry and dusty sand. I felt he was telling me to stay near him, and to not go after the treasure that draws me away from him, and the safety of his arms. I moved back to the water's edge and continued to walk to where the beach came to an end, and perched within the rocks was thousands of beautiful seashells. I spent the good part of an hour rummaging through the treasure he had placed in my path. The lesson today is to keep your eyes on Jesus, and not wander off his path; if we stay the course, he will present us with treasure beyond our expectation.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. Psalms 63:1-3

April 29

Are we as guilty as Israel when they asked for a new ruler? Samuel recounted everything the Lord had done for them, and chastised them for wanting a king, and rejecting God as their king. Samuel had done a good job as a judge, yet they weren’t satisfied, and wanted to replace him because he was getting old. It is said that they wanted a king for ungodly reasons, so God gave them an ungodly king when he appointed Saul. Does this sound familiar? They had their heads buried in the sand as many do today. God may rule against you if you are seeking the wicked to rule over his people, or he might appoint them so you get what you asked for. If you are itching for God to appoint the godless over you, I hope the cries of his chosen overrule you! Do we continue to reject God, and have him decide to appoint an evil president to rule over us, or do we turn to him, revere him as our King, and have him let us keep the one who follows him? Cry out, you who are chosen, that we not have evil rule over us in the future.

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 1 Samuel 8:6-7

April 28

At my vacation home, I was able to start from scratch, and decorate it  however I wanted. The “bones,” such as the tile and cabinetry, are neutral, and easy to accommodate whatever colors I desired to use. I decided to keep the pallet calm by using mixes of gray, and cream, adding in rattan decor, for a beach feel. Then I added teal thinking it would be enough color for my taste, but I was wrong! After staying closed inside for a couple of weeks, I became antsy for more color, but not just any color, lots of color, bright vibrant, powerful color. I went back to my house and harvested some pictures and artwork from the walls, and closets, which were full of decorative items that needed to be used. Some of the items I decided to use are originals, given to me by my friends; I couldn’t be more excited to add them to my walls, and fulfill my desire for color. 

Our life in Jesus can be like that, beautifully designed, perfectly clean, and satisfying. However, if you get anxious about it, and feel the need to add more color to your life, realize that if you are completely immersed spiritually, it is far from being mundane. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you cultivate your spiritual gifts; we all have them, but most people don’t utilize them. 

Here is a link to help you determine what your gifts are; in case you don’t know. https://giftstest.com/

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

April 27

It was the second time I had done it; you would have thought that I would have learned my lesson the first time. Never again will I buy organic potting soil! All the bags of soil were heavy, and seemed to be full of water, so I opted for the lighter ones, not really paying attention to the label. Much to my dismay after opening them, the smell was quite “organic!” I’m sure my plants will love it more so than the plain, but my nostrils hate it; it’s a stench! 

Don’t we all do that, opt for the easy way? It’s easier in the here and now to go the way of the world, the opposition is less threatening than going down the path of Jesus. I caution you not to take the easier path. When the Lord brings you home after you’ve chased after worldly things, and opens you up, like I did the organic soil, you will be filled with manure, and a stench to the Lord. The manure is good for my plants, but it’s not good for you. From this point on, when I hear the word “organic,” I will think of the stinky potting soil, and I will remember that what seems easy is not always the best route to go. 

But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. Romans 6:21-22

April 26

There was something significant that the Holy Spirit brought to my attention today. Samuel was still very young, serving in the temple of the Lord. I’m sure he had many duties there, and he had been dedicated to the Lord by his mother, but the scripture says that he did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. Now remember, Samuel is living in the temple! How could he not know the Lord? God help us! We’re talking about Samuel, a major prophet of the Lord! I know, he was very young, but wouldn’t you think that by being brought up in the temple, he would already know the Lord? If Samuel didn’t know the Lord at that point, what makes you think you know him? Here’s the answer: if you have been transformed, and born a second birth into the Kingdom of God through Jesus, the Holy Spirit resides in you. How do you know the Holy Spirit resides in you? Jesus says that you will know his voice. John says you will not keep on sinning. Don’t get me wrong, you will probably sin, but the burden of guilt will rest heavily upon you, and you will be more diligent in trying to avoid it. God called out to Samuel, he heard his voice, and God gave him a word for Eli the priest, and he knew him from that point on.

"Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him." 1 Samuel 3:7  1Sa 3:7

“We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” 1 John 5:18