June 9, 2023

You are not the thief on the cross who made it into Heaven by the skin of his teeth! I don’t even want to know what will happen if you try to use that excuse for your complacency and not doing your part in spreading the gospel when standing before Jesus on judgment day. You know him now, and you still have life and breath in you. He saved you at such a time as this for a reason. Every moment of your life is part of the script God has written for you; don’t waste it on worldly passions and frivolous desires. Value Jesus more than anything else; he is your purpose in life; live for Him! Show him how grateful you are for your salvation. We are the people he chose for his own possession, and he expects us to be zealous for good works. The time seems right for the harvest, so at any moment, he could appear, but this time it won’t be as a lamb; it will be as our mighty Warrior and King! Are you ready?

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

June 8, 2023

As Christ-followers, we should abstain from the appearance of sinful behavior and refrain from involvement in celebrating detestable things. It is not loving for us to participate in something we know is abhorrent to God, and it’s a slap in the face of Jesus, who died to cleanse us from such impurity. The minds of some have been overtaken by the evil one with hopes of turning as many away from Jesus as possible. It is not loving to stand by and watch as they plummet further and further into darkness. The best thing we can do is to show them the love of Jesus and try to convince them to turn away from evil and seek a better life filled with the love of the true Jesus, not some made-up image of a god that accepts their sinfulness. We must love them enough to want to see them deny such sin and accept Jesus as their Savior. The most loving thing we can do is to help snatch them from the fire and show them the narrow pathway to a better life. 

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. Titus 1:15-16

June 7, 2023

With the internet, YouTube, and other media outlets, we have access to many dynamic preachers, and you can find just about anyone who agrees with your way of thinking. However, we are not always good at knowing the scriptures as God intended, so if we are not careful, some of those preachers will lead us to eternal death. I know I probably push the issue of reading your Bible too much, but that's the only way to ensure you receive God's intended message. We need to verify that what is being preached matches the scriptures; the only way to do this is to know them. Like anybody else, I love the teaching on love, but there is more to God than love and tolerance, and if you don't know about God's wrath and justice, you may think you are fine skipping over those parts of scripture. Many will be sorry when they find out they have been led astray for listening to what their itchy ears wanted to hear. Pray for discernment, look up anything that sounds off, and like most good preachers will tell you, eat the meat and spit out the bones because even a good preacher can get it wrong occasionally.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

June 6, 2023

Last year, we removed many trees and underbrush near the house. One of the plants we removed grows from roots that spread, and it’s nearly impossible to eliminate them. As I was walking around the house, I tripped over one of those roots; thankfully, I didn’t fall, but it caused me to stumble. What we should have done to get rid of them would have been to pull them up root and all, which I expect will have to happen if we want to remove them entirely and become free of their existence. 

Sometimes issues in our lives cause us to stumble. There are forms of bondage from our past experiences that, no matter what we do, and because we didn’t deal with the issue and remove it altogether, keep rearing their ugly head, much like the root I tripped over. Unless we take action to eliminate the cause of the problem, it will continue to make trouble for us. You must first figure out where the problem began; many times, it started in childhood; possible trauma, some fear, and even rejection can block us from healing completely. You may not be able to deal with these issues on your own; it will take the Holy Spirit to bring to mind where the problem began. Ask Him for help, and he will guide you through healing. Jesus took on all of our trouble, past, present, and future, and He wants you to heal from it and set you free. Let him do that for you today.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

June 5, 2023

Our power went out last night and didn’t come back on until 2:30 am! We were uncomfortable without the air conditioning but were still able to sleep. I spent most of the day cleaning, hadn’t had a shower, and was still sticky from the sweat. Thankfully, our office had power and a shower, so I didn’t have to sleep dirty. Something like that makes you appreciate electricity and the people who control it. 

Most of you will agree that you will tend to get grimy while working in the world. We are surrounded by people who love their worldly ways and make no apologies for them but flaunt them, causing those who despise sin to become uncomfortable. Thankfully we have Jesus to run to. He is like a refreshing shower after being exposed to worldly filth. He keeps us perfectly comfortable in whatever atmosphere we find ourselves in. We never have to go to bed dirty when we put our trust in his ways. Even when the world gets crazy, we have a place to hide away from all the madness: Jesus. 

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

June 4, 2023

I ordered a beautiful blown glass chandelier for my dining room. I was so excited to see it hung and assembled; however, it didn't light up after connecting it to power. There was no point in putting it together if you couldn't turn it on. Not only that, but some of the glass came broken. So, we are returning it and getting another one; hopefully, we won't have the same issue. A light that doesn't work is useless no matter how pretty it is; though it might look like a work of art, its light is what gives it life. 

As a Christ-follower, you must keep your light for him burning bright; he is what makes you beautiful. You can put on your Sunday best and have your hair perfectly coffered, but without Jesus, you are like a blown incandescent bulb with a black spot inside. I was looking forward to having a lovely fixture, much like the valuable vessels of gold and silver for honorable use, as a part of my home, but it turned out to be dishonorable. Part of God's plan is for you to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace to become a useful vessel; don't disappoint him by blocking the light of Jesus in your life. 

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:21-2:22

June 3, 2023

There is much to be concerned about when public officials seem to be given over to the holders of the almighty dollar, who use the power of their money to influence and control those officials. They spend money they don’t have, then hire more agents to try and collect money from people who will probably never benefit from their lavish spending. Then they use the money they gather to add more control over the people! How much more corruption can we take before God brings justice to his people? We think we voted for them, but obviously, they have zero concern for their constituents; they push their agenda and make more laws to lock down and regulate the people rather than listening to the voters who supposedly put them in office. Who is holding their finger in the dam keeping our country from collapsing? However, as God’s children, we have nothing to fear. As Christ-followers, we use the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us navigate this world and put our trust in God alone, for he is our only hope. Sometimes I get caught up in the news of worldly matters, but I must remind myself that we are not of this world; we are merely ambassadors on a journey through this world. Stay on the narrow path, and everything will turn out as God planned.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

June 2, 2023

What I’ve learned through my years of being a faithful follower of Jesus and trusting God with my entire life is that you cannot out-give him. I spend a couple of hours a day devoted to studying his word and praying; though I listen to him more through reading the scriptures than I do praying, I’m naturally a listener. I’ve also learned to be content with where I live and not become too attached; though where I’m living now seems to be the pinnacle of my life, if God decided to move me again, I would give it up to do as he says. I’ve never chased after riches, but somehow he gives me more than I need. I’ve seen people become so obsessed with making a dollar that they forget why they are doing it, and it becomes more about how much more they can get rather than a means to live. Is it to show the world they are successful? Maybe they long to have what they’ve seen in the possession of other people. I’m not saying you shouldn’t plan for your future; I do that myself by ensuring I have plenty of food in case the economy collapses; if that happens, you cannot eat a car or diamonds. My point is for you to put God first; give to Him before you take anything for yourself, and he will pour upon you the riches of this world; but more than that, you will feel the wealth of his love, and that is more valuable than anything this world can give you.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:9-10

June 1, 2023

The curlicue on my watermelon finally dried up, and I picked it. I thought it was about 40 pounds, but because I'm not as strong as I used to be, it ended up only being 26 1/2 pounds after I put it on the scale! Still, it's to biggest fruit I've ever grown!

I've spent the last few days canning food from my garden. I never thought to do that, being my cupboards are already full, but my daughter encouraged me since my garden is producing more than I can eat or give away, and it seemed like a great idea; however, now, I'm obsessed with it! It's hard work canning food, but so rewarding! I even canned some meat; I had never thought about it, but it will be great for a quick meal. Now all I have to do is open a jar, add a few ingredients, and I've got an instant meal I didn't have to cook all day! 

I'm happier than I've ever been! Are you content with your life? If you are not, you need to change your priority. Seek God first; work on your relationship with him, and value Jesus's sacrifice. When you make Him your priority, everything else will fall into place. It's not just a one-and-done kind of thing; it's a lifestyle. Slow down and enjoy what God has given you. Everything we have is because God gave it to us; we came naked into this world and will leave the same way. 

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

May 31, 2023

My little dog, Coco, is getting old; she turns thirteen this year. She’s still pretty spry despite her age. All she cares about is eating, and even that has slowed down a little. She gets treated with loving care like you would an older woman. We give her a lot of grace. If she wanders too far when looking for a place to do her business, I usher her back towards the house, but when she doesn’t listen, I herd her like rounding up a cow; that’s when she gets a little testy, and growls and barks like she’s talking back; it’s the funniest thing to see.

The older I get, the more I realize how unimportant some material items are. Yes, we need certain things to survive, like food, clothing, and shelter, but more and more, the love of our family becomes what we long for the most. The Bible clarifies how we should treat others but gives specific instructions for how the church must care for the older widowed women who do not have a family. God specifies that the family should care for them, but the church must step in if she doesn’t have a family because he doesn’t want them to worry about their well-being in their latter years.

Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 1 Timothy 5:3-4

May 30, 2023

Even though it’s starting to get hot and the weeds are multiplying, my garden still produces food and looks pretty. I planted too many tomatoes. I canned some and left some for the possum, though I’m not too fond of it eating my peas, I have an abundance of tomatoes, so if he eats a few of them, I don’t mind. I may try my hand at fresh salsa and pasta sauce since I’ve grown all the ingredients. Then there are beans! Though I love them, I’ve had my fill! I planted some yard-long beans, oriental red beans, and another kind of long bean, and I don’t want to eat them because they are so pretty hanging from the arched trellis I made. However, yesterday, I found some Atlas mason jars that my father-in-law had been collecting, so I may put them to use and can some beans. 

Take an early morning walk in your garden and check on your crops. It’s time to harvest souls! The seeds you planted have grown and bloomed; if the seed was viable, there should be fruit ready to pick. Harvest before the enemy destroys them, like the possum in my tomatoes and peas! The world is crazy, and if love doesn’t get your family and friends to trust Jesus, fear of hell might make them think twice about their future. 

Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. John 4:35

May 29, 2023

We took a ride out to the beach yesterday to visit some friends; I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Just being there for a couple of hours was very cleansing, and I felt my mind clear of all the clutter and peaceful tranquility wash over me. Even though it was overrunning with people because of the holiday, I still found it relaxing. Memorial Day is about remembering the soldiers who fought and died in battle for our freedom, but it’s nice that we get a break from the daily grind to honor their memory. 

Though this holiday is about soldiers, it’s also important to honor our Savior, who fought the battle against death and won. If not for him fighting for our salvation, our minds would not be set free from the chains that bind us, and we would not see Heaven. Give thanks today for our salvation and for living in a country that is still free. 

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

May 28, 2023

Today is Pentecost. As Christians, we can celebrate the day we were gifted the Holy Spirit and commemorate the beginning of the Church. 

Through the years since its beginning, the Church has faced numerous challenges, but because of Paul’s faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus, church doctrine is in place, so we are clear on how the Church should operate. He also warned us about what will happen in later times, and even though they thought their times were late, we are seeing what he cautioned Timothy about beginning to happen now.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 1 Timothy 4:1-2

Anyone trying to convince you that God was wrong when he created you is a liar! He didn’t make a mistake. The evil in this world is trying to sear your conscience and make you believe their lies. Do not fall for it or participate in their month of folly. Separate yourself from such perversion. We are to stand firm on biblical teachings and refrain from the appearance of evil. Pray hard this entire upcoming month; the demons are dancing and trying to convince the world that such things are acceptable by God; they are not. 

May 27, 2023

Watch out for partial truths; they can become more slanderous than a lie. I was talking to my five-year-old grandson about working a job and mentioned that a person couldn’t just stay in bed all day. His response was, “My mom stays in bed all day!” What! Are you kidding me? She has three young children; who’s watching them while she sleeps? Anyone not knowing the truth might assume ill of her; however, she works nights and sleeps during the day, and other adults in the house keep an eye on the rug rats. If you have ever worked at night, you can sympathize with her situation, and it’s commendable for her to do what she has to do to provide for her children. 

The mainstream media is a spreader of partial truths, ruining our country. People get up in arms over hearsay of incomplete stories where critical information is left out on purpose. Only when you begin looking into the story through other avenues will you finally understand the entire situation.

We must be willing to go the extra mile searching for the truth rather than react carelessly to a partial truth. None of us are immune to becoming hoodwinked, so don’t repeat what you heard until you know the entire story.

The qualifications for an overseer and deacon of the church are presented in 1 Timothy 3, and one of those qualifications is that they must have a clear conscience; the best way to ensure they have a clear conscience is to love the truth.

The Matthew Henry Commentary says: “The practical love of truth is the most powerful preservative from error and delusion.”

They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 1 Timothy 3:9

May 26, 2023

Oh boy! Paul always seems to stir the pot when it comes to women. What he says about how a woman should behave tends to touch a nerve in many of us. However, I can understand why he had to put it into words, and if it's included in the Bible, you best believe it came from God! You either believe all or none of it is to be believed. As women, we know how to maneuver to get what we want from a man; it's not that hard; look at how gullible Adam was when Eve gave him fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. She used her persuasiveness to convince him it was safe to eat, and it opened up a whole can of worms that we are all paying the price for today. A man of God will learn to resist a woman's ploy. As a woman of God, we are to adorn ourselves with the character of Jesus and let that tell the story about who we are, not our clothing or lack thereof. God has given us the tremendous responsibility of teaching our children to respect his word, show them who he is, and obey his commands. We are to train them to become good citizens so that they remember their training as adults. Our job is paramount for the future of society. If we are successful, our children will love and respect God and love others. Remember, I'm just the messenger.

likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9-10

May 25, 2023

It does my heart good to gather my family together. Though with all grandsons, it makes our time chaotic. Bless their hearts; they are so rambunctious. Their Pawpaw is one of them, adding to their hyperactivity and exuberance. It's not always easy to get everyone together because we all have lives of our own; however, for the sake of the children, we set aside time, as painstaking as it can be, to show our love and to give the children the opportunity to play together. They need one another. One day very soon, they will be grown and will cherish the effort we made to make sure they felt the love of their family. 

For years, we have tried different churches. Finding one we both love has been a difficult task. There was nothing wrong with any of the churches we've attended, and we've loved many like-minded believers, but I enjoy a Spirit-filled experience, but Richard is more of a calm Baptist. We finally found one we both love, and it happens to be a straight-laced Baptist church that still sings the old hymnals. Surprisingly, it had nothing to do with the experience; it's that we've finally found our people. 

The Bible makes it very clear, as the family of God, we are to gather with other believers, his children. It's the same as our families getting together for a meal. It is important to Him that we love one another, and the only way we know his kind of love is through other believers. If you are not attending a church, it's important that you find one and start going; it's part of God's plan for his children. 

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

A couple of our boys are missing from the picture; however, these are the craziest ones!

May 24, 2023

One of our grandsons is staying with us for a few days, and he loves it here. He can ride his bicycle anytime without fear of cars because we have a long driveway. Yesterday, as he was riding, the cows came close to the fence. He returned to me with jubilant happiness because they let him pet them. The cows love it when we take them greenery to eat, so we took them a few branches of cuttings. All but one came running to enjoy what we had brought. That was all it took to entertain him; I didn't have to worry about him for a couple of hours because I gave him the clippers, and he cut his own branches to feed them. He even loaded his bicycle with brush; I've never seen anyone so passionate about cows. He might be a country boy, after all; he even ate the okra that he picked! 

His feeding the cows is the perfect example of what it takes to bring others to Jesus. Those who are supposed to receive the gospel will receive it with joy and will come because they were appointed, but those who are not selected, like the one cow who didn't want the greenery, will reject it. 

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44

May 23, 2023

One thing about my family, everyone works to earn a living. We expected our children to work hard; we trained them that way. Now, they teach their children the value of money and what they can accomplish when they put their heart into their work. We made them help in laborious and backbreaking areas to show them the jobs they might have to do if they didn’t complete their education. As a result, they are all handy around the house and are unafraid to get their hands dirty. I’m very proud of them. 

We see able-bodied people today living off government handouts, laying around the house, getting fat, and allowing others to pay their way through this life; it’s pathetic. I’ve seen and rented homes to them, and it irritated me at how conniving they were to get handouts; I didn’t participate, making them work extra hard to get their free rent. If they had put that kind of effort into a job, they would probably have more than enough income to pave their way through society. 

Scripture says that if you don’t work, you don’t eat. It’s the one scripture used often, not taken out of context. The words may not be exact, but they are scriptural, and it also says to stay away from such people. Paul worked in addition to teaching God’s word. He had every right to get paid for his work in the ministry but never wanted to be a burden to others. Our society would be so much better if we stopped paying people to be idle. 

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Thessalonians 3:13-14

May 22, 2023

When I watch what is happening, and I see people believing some ridiculous things, but not just believing them, actually defending them, I can regard them as being delusional. Is this the strong delusion that Paul wrote about?

Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

There is no other way to describe what is happening; these people must have blinders because they defend some of the most absurd things. If it’s true, and this is the delusion Paul writes about, there is nothing we can do to convince them otherwise; the blinders are from God. Their destiny is hell because they’ve rejected Jesus and love living in their sin. I don’t know if our prayers can brake a delusion that God placed upon them, but we must continue to try for the sake of our family and friends. Maybe our prayers will soften the heart of God for those we love.

May 21, 2023

Many people are suffering today, either brought on by themselves because of their decisions or because the enemy is using others to try and sift them like wheat because they are living for God. Here is some good news; you only have to sit back and watch. God sees what is happening to you; he sees your faithfulness to Him and his Son and will seek vengeance on those persecuting you. We can count on him to do what he says, and the Bible repeats that promise from the Old Testament to the New Testament. You do not need to lift a finger in response; your only action is to praise and worship him while you are waiting because you know that there is nothing you can do that would equal and be harsher than the vengeance of God.

since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10