February 26

My favorite type of plant is an epiphyte, which includes orchids, bromeliads, and Tillandsia. They are relatively easy to grow, are shade tolerant, and rarely need to be anchored to the ground. I especially love the variety of colors and sizes available. I can leave them for weeks at a time without care, and they continue to thrive. 

I can relate to these types of plants; maybe that’s why I love them. Think about your life; must you be attached to the earth? As Christians, our anchor is Jesus, God is our Father, and we feed off the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. We have a physical being, but our life is spiritual, similar to epiphytes which receive their nourishment from the air and the debris surrounding them. Like epiphytes, we come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and add beauty to this world, and bring light into the darkness. Can you relate to this?

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

February 25

As you know, God places you in situations and among certain people for a reason. It could be that you are to testify to them about him or that you are to live your life as an example. However, it should be both, though I know it’s not easy to open up about Jesus to others because there are too many uncertainties, and you might not know the answer to their questions. Here is my goal:

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

I know that I put God’s word out there every day, but it’s easier on a keyboard than in person, and I’m surrounded by many who’ve never read my books or posts, though sometimes I’ll hand them a book and hope that they read it. Find an angle, a path that makes it easier for you to share the good news about Jesus. Pray for the Holy Spirit to clarify the direction he wants you to go; live like Paul, where Jesus is more important than your very life.

February 24

Change your focus to living in the here and now. I tend to get caught up in worldly affairs because, eventually, they will affect my life. However, I have to keep reminding myself that it could take a while for those changes to get to me, except for the gas prices, which seem to happen immediately. Don’t allow governmental news to cause you unhappiness or have it overwhelm you and take away your peace. We must trust the LORD and know that he has our best interest in mind. He has a plan, and when that falls into place where we can see the results, we will be overjoyed. Take heart, don’t let your anxiety get the best of you, and know that Jesus overcame the world; therefore, we must enter into his peace until he comes again.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

February 23

Back in Paul’s day when he first went to Ephesus, the way of the LORD threatened to shut down the businesses of the silversmiths who made statues of the shrines of Artemis. When the people heard about Jesus, they began to rid themselves of their former way of life, including the worship of inanimate objects. Essentially, Jesus was going to take money right out of their pockets. The businesses banded together and caused rioting in the streets! Do you notice a pattern? The devil uses the same tricks throughout the ages. Why is it that we don’t blame him for most of our turmoil? When he finds his way into the minds of simpletons, he can use them for his purpose, and they wreak havoc on everyone around them. 

When things are going well for the devil, such as it is right now, he fades into the background to continue with his business. Before this new administration took over, we saw all kinds of evil on full display. Why? Because the former president was stirring the pot and doing his best to rid this world of all the vile practices instituted by Satan. Now, even those who hated our former president can see the truth, and many are regretful of their decision to install the current president.

When we choose Jesus as our King, Satanic people riot; when people choose Satan as king, satanic people are quiet. That’s what we have now. I prefer to tick people off and have Jesus in charge. And another point, the madness is all about money!

And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Acts 19:27-28

February 22

After taking our bicycles out yesterday, enjoying a gorgeous day in our seaside community, I’m paying the price. It’s spring in Florida, so the oak trees are blooming along with many other trees and plants; pollen has filled the air! Allergy medicine has become my best friend. What’s sad is that it’s the best time of the year to go outside and enjoy the weather. I want to sit on the porch and feel the warm sun and the crisp breeze, but there is a toll; swollen eyes and a runny nose. I won’t let it stop me from enjoying myself; I will keep going, breaking down any roadblocks that stand in my way! 

Everyone has issues they must deal with; no one has a perfect life, the enemy will always stand in our way, seeking to discourage us. We won’t be comfortable on this earth until we come to rule with Jesus; there is too much sin around us. Remember, we are only ambassadors here, and we have our mission. Once that mission is complete, God will call us home; until that time comes, be grateful that he chose you for a time such as this.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

February 21

There is a lot of misinformation floating around in cyberspace, making it hard to determine the difference between fact and fiction. I get caught up in a storyline, go back, and try to check the facts, only to become discouraged by all the extra information available. With all the technology, anyone can create images to make you think what you see is correct. We need to remember that we live in the devil’s territory, and it’s his job to deceive, but it’s our job to rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. I have many questions about history, but I can’t voice those concerns out loud because I would get labeled a conspiracy theorist, a made-up term to discourage people from freethinking; God forbid that you have a mind of your own and think for yourself! However, I can keep digging for information and confirm the details that bring the truth to light. Fact-check yourself when it comes to the data you share. Thankfully we have one truth that cannot be disputed and that is Jesus! He is truth and light!

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

February 20

We finally get a weekend away, and it’s chilly! Hopefully, it warms up a little so that I can enjoy the beach today. Driving over the Howard Franklin Bridge, crossing Tampa Bay, we noticed that one side of the bay was choppy with high waves while the other side seemed calm, almost like smooth glass. The bridge was creating a buffer to block the wind from one side, quieting the sea and making it a safe harbor. I wouldn’t want to be in a boat during stormy weather, but if a storm comes up while navigating through an inland waterway, it’s nice to find a place of repose. 

We are all living through a storm right now, a brutal and unstable time in the history of the world, but we have Jesus! He is our bridge, the windbreak that keeps our water peaceful. If you feel you are navigating through the rough water, and the sea is tossing you around and about to overtake your boat, make your way toward Jesus, seek refuge in his cove to shelter you from the madness. When you hide in Jesus, the violent storm can’t touch you.

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:39-41

February 19

Amid the turmoil, God gives blessings. I spent the day with my mom, and we went to Marie Selby Gardens in Sarasota. We couldn’t have asked for a better day! It was a sunny day, and the gardens were overflowing with flowers. The color was magnificent and eye-popping. The warm breeze from the intercoastal sent wafts of floral fragrance throughout the garden. Around every corner, we were captivated by the more picturesque beauty of unusual yet elegant plant life. 

God knew that a pattern of despair brought on by governmental disgust needed broken, so he gave us a reprieve from the insanity and sent us out to enjoy the wonders of his creation and give us insight into what he has in store for our future. Take a moment, turn off the television, put down your devices, go outside, break away from the madness, and partake in all that God has to offer.

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:27-29

February 18

Have you ever consider that your actions might cause someone to be left behind? It is a dreadful thought. Unfortunately, we are not perfect; only Jesus bears the responsibility of being perfect. However, we must do our best to represent him, but there are times that our human nature works against us and leaves us feeling ashamed. Confess, and repent, and pray for that person if the Holy Spirit brings to mind your sin against them; if possible, seek forgiveness. There are times you may not know you’ve hurt someone, a harsh word, a misunderstanding, or maybe they are easily offended; whatever the case may be, try your best to make Jesus proud of you. This world is a minefield, with traps of sin around every corner; we must do our best to avoid such mines and walk upright in Jesus. Pray that your every step is pleasing to the LORD, that no one takes offense by your words or actions, and that you don’t become a stumbling block.

So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Acts 24:16

February 17

Don’t lose hope; our God is amazing and can turn our world around in an instant! We may be in the tunnel right now, but there is a bright light at the end, and that light is Jesus. There is too much evil for him to turn away from us now; eventually, he will answer our prayers. Just like Sodom and Gomorrah, where Abraham prayed that if even ten righteous persons were there, God wouldn’t destroy it, I would say that there are a few more than that, and if he answered Abraham, I expect that he will answer us. We must pray in one accord that Satan would be held back for a time and his evil minions exposed and destroyed before our eyes. This job is not for one man, it is only God who can accomplish such a monumental task as this, and until God’s people recognize this, he will keep us in a holding pattern. Turn your eyes toward God, worship him, and praise his holy name. Let your voice be heard in heaven, thanking him for what he has done and what he is about to do.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5

February 16

Because I’m on our association's board, I usually get calls about maintenance issues. I don’t mind, but sometimes I wish I was living freely without the responsibility. We have a management company, but I understand it’s easier to get in touch with me because I’m right next door. 

I got a call yesterday about our emblem being off our gate. I think someone thought it was brass and tried to steal it and got deterred by a visitor or homeowner coming in the gate, but I’m not sure; that’s just a guess. Thankfully, there are others who care, one who called me to say he would bolt it back on. 

Here’s my analogy of the situation: our neighbors are like people around us who have an idea about God but have limited knowledge, and the management company is like God. It’s easier to ask a Christian to pray for their situation because they are not sure if God will answer them, but they know a Christian has direct access. It’s also possible to get better results if more than one person calls! Make sure you pray for those who ask, it’s their first step of faith, and maybe one day they will trust God enough to communicate with him themselves.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

February 15

How much longer do we have to live in freedom? The current administration, voted in by constituents who are like them, have evil intentions, and are planning to bring on the end by instituting the new world order. Many past presidents have mentioned it and have been accessories to the nefarious plan. You and I will not have to deal with this evil madness much longer if they are allowed to continue on their current trajectory; the whole world will be slaves to it. However, those of us who God chose from the beginning will be ushered into heaven with Jesus as he calls his own to be with him. The problem with that is, our loved ones, many of whom have not put their trust in him, will be left behind and will have to choose whether to take the mark of the beast, which will lead them to hell, or choose Jesus and be tortured and die of starvation. They will have to turn to Jesus and will have to fear God more than man. This end is very real, and it’s happening in our lifetime! Did you ever think you would be living in such a time? I’ve always known that I wouldn’t die, but I thought that was my eternal life attitude, giving me hope; but it turns out that we may be living through the rapture. I hope you’re ready because it’s closer than you think. I’m sorry to be so “matter of fact” this morning, but our world is so much more depraved than I ever thought I would witness. Please encourage the people you love to draw close to Jesus; he’s our only hope.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35

February 14

Have you ever read Alice in Wonderland? Yesterday, I decided to read the book since I’d never watched any of the movies. It’s about a little girl who fell asleep in her sister's lap while they were enjoying the warm summer outdoors, and she began to dream. She fell into a hole while following a white rabbit. From there, she met all kinds of critters. Every time she would eat or drink something, she would either shrink or grow to suit her surroundings. And so she told her story of her crazy adventure. In the end, her sister explained how Alice’s environment had contributed to her dream and had made up the cast of characters she had seen. 

I find it incredible how God works. This morning I began reading Acts 10, and guess what it’s about? Peter’s dream with all the critters in a sheet! How do they relate? I don't’ know! In Peter’s dream, God told him to kill and eat, showing him that nothing is unclean. God made it clear to him that we, as Gentiles, were also called to know him, and thus began our way to salvation in Jesus. Some dreams have deep meaning, like Peter’s, but others are just ramblings like Alice’s. If I had the desire to decode it, it probably has a deeper meaning, but that’s for another day. 

The point of my message today is that God may want you to start writing down your dreams; sometimes, they are him trying to tell you something. Pay attention. If you don’t understand them, ask him to help you or put someone in your path that can help you decode it. Do you remember how Acts 2:17-18 tells us that in the end, people will have prophetic dreams and visions? You could be one of those people.

And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” Acts 10:15

February 13

How long must we contend with the likes of evil? It’s hard to imagine that God would allow the current criminality to continue and the good people, who lean on Jesus, to lose hope. I haven’t lost hope, and neither should you. The time for our faith to increase is now, along with our prayers. We are currently seeing Satan’s lies exposed, and a genuine awakening is happening throughout the world. Every day God is showing me new things to bring into the light the plot to do harm and enslave the world by a new world order. 

This perfect plan wasn’t put into place by man; it spans over a time much longer than the life of man, and we can only attribute this to Satan. Those involved in carrying out this scheme are merely puppets in his hands. Even though it’s called a new world order, there is no order to this decree because it will only cause more chaos and heartbreak. 

This war is spiritual, and the only way to fight it is to put on the whole armor of God. Stand firm, mighty warriors! God is opening a door for you to step through and be a part of this new era where he is glorified. It makes the evil forces shudder, and if it makes them shudder, that makes me happy! Similar to the plot by the Jews to kill Paul, it was foiled by people like us doing our part.

When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. Acts 9:23-25

February 12

Why do we have to suffer at the hands of the enemy? It’s part of the threshing process. I watched a video on threshing because I’ve never seen it. It’s pretty simple but seems brutal! In the video, they put the whole stalk of wheat in a cloth bag and beat the heck out of it; then, they used a fan to winnow and separate the wheat from the chaff, or the husk. We are that stalk of wheat, and God is only interested in our perfect fruit that’s been threshed and winnowed. We must go through trials and be beaten-up to learn to rely on him entirely and forget this world's draw. 

Paul lived a pretty good life, but didn’t he notice that he was killing people, God’s creation? God had to do something dramatic for him to learn the truth. He appeared to him, blinded him, and then healed him at the hand of another Christ-follower. Then, he continued to thrash him; he wrote the process on the pages of the New Testament as letters. Learn as much as you can from Paul’s threshing, so you don’t have to go through as much of that complicated process.

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Acts 9:15-16

February 11

People are learning the truth about the lies perpetuated by our government to gain control of the people. As the truth becomes more transparent, many are taking back their precious freedom afforded by our constitution. I don’t think we know what real freedom is, being none of us have lived in it. Unknown to us, our constitution became void in eighteen seventy one by an act of congress, and we all became owned by a foreign government and have submitted to them since. I know this may seem far fetched, and we are living as if we had all our rights under the constitution, but if you pay attention and do a little digging, you will find that what I’m saying is true. 

Do you ever wonder why our country is so obsessed with British royalty? There’s a reason. However, according to some of the sources I read, the agreement and the corporation of eighteen seventy one is now void, which opens the door for us to go back to living with our constitution and cleaning up the laws and congress, and offers us the ability to take back our financial system. Our current government is part of the defunct corporation and may find themselves out of a job and even guilty of crimes. 

Many of our past presidents tried to warn us about this, including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Regan. I’m no history buff, but because of our current situation, I’ve been digging in and learning as much as my little brain can handle. Do I believe in misinformation? If so, many people are saying the same thing, and they aren’t connected, and their evidence is compelling. Don’t take my word for this, do your own search. The truth is out there, but sometimes you have to dig a little.

We have a choice; live with the current administration that is ushering us into communism or take back our rights under the constitution. Keep praying! The only way this will end well is for God to take control. He hears our prayers, and I’m convinced he is going to set us free.

February 10

We often wonder how murderers and others who commit egregious crimes receive forgiveness, especially when their crimes are against us. Some find Jesus before they are executed, and others live for him while in jail. God gives us an example in Paul. Here is a fun fact about Paul; he was initially called Saul, but was also called Paul. According to Matthew Henry, Paul means little; that’s a good name for him being he was only 4’6” tall! Maybe people calling him Paul was to keep him humble. God’s forgiveness of Paul is a prime example of how merciful he is. This little man was killing God’s chosen! He was also a scholar and knew his way through the scriptures, and as we know, he wrote most of the New Testament. God had given him skills that he could use to spread the word about Jesus. Paul is a picture of God’s transforming power. Don’t get too mad when a convicted murder or other heinous criminal comes to know Jesus and receives forgiveness; Paul was the worst of the worse.

And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:4-5

February 9

WARNING! CONTROVERSIAL! But is it? Most believe that you receive the Holy Spirit upon accepting Jesus as your Savior. If this is true, why did Peter and John need to go to Samaria to pray for the people there to receive the Holy Spirit after they accepted the Word of God? 

for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:16

I’m going to muddy the water a little more; you cannot be saved without the Holy Spirit. If it is true that you receive the Holy Spirit upon acceptance of the Word of God and at your baptism in the name of Jesus, why are there so many “pew sitters” that are unsaved? They’ve gone through the recommended process, but because of their actions, it’s obvious they don’t know Jesus. If everyone who claimed to be a Christ-follower had the Holy Spirit, this world wouldn’t be in its current predicament. 

By the way, I haven’t found any verse that says you receive the Holy Spirit upon acceptance of Jesus and his Word. The closest I found is Ephesians 1:13, and it doesn’t give a sequence of events like Acts 8:14-17

Then again, maybe some get the Holy Spirit right away, but the caveat is that you must genuinely accept Jesus and believe in your heart that he is your Savior. I want you to question your salvation to make sure you are genuinely saved. I don’t want to scare you, but I also don’t want to see anyone get left behind.

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 8:14-17

February 8

People fear change. In biblical days, the Israelites feared leaving Egypt and their captors' tyranny, yet God had a plan. Through Moses, he helped free them from their slavery and gave them a land of their own. 

‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ Acts 7:7

Many years later, Jesus came to free them from the captivity of their sin, but most feared the change in their religion and rejected him. They didn’t want to believe him even though he showed them signs that only God could do. 

What is holding you back from trusting God completely? We must get beyond our fear, relax, and watch as God takes control of our destiny. We might have to spend a little time in the desert, but not very long. He has heard our prayers and cries for mercy, and he will answer them; give him time to work out the details and watch as things fall into place. Jesus loves us; he will never forsake us, that you can be sure. Shore up your faith and keep praying!

February 7

What really happened? Have you ever wondered if what we are seeing is real? Have we been fed an illusion? Do you ask questions, or do you accept the narrative? When something is a little off, do you investigate the inconsistencies or look it up to find an opposing view? 

We have become so well programmed that we believe everything we hear without question. My advice; question everything! Do a little digging; the truth is out there, but sinister beings are trying to keep the masses under their control, so they cover it up. I’ve been saying this for a long time about biblical teachings, but I didn’t realize we needed to do the same thing with current events. Who knew? I feel like we are watching a blooper reel with the bloopers explained away.

Ask God for discernment and to open your eyes to the truth, not only for biblical teachings but also for everyday life. Stop watching the news! It’s nothing more than a theatrical show to control you and feed you lies. If anyone is going to control me, it’s God, no one else! How about you? Be a Berean about everything!

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