October 20

There is a dead tree branch hanging over my yard. The tree has already begun to heal around the branch, but it can’t heal completely because the branch hasn’t broken off. So many things in nature teach us about ourselves. We all have scars as reminders of our past hurts. Emotional scars may be more significant than our physical scars and can be used to help others. However, unhealed emotions will bleed all over other people and cause them to receive gaping wounds too. The blood of emotions cut deep. If you think you have control over them, you’re wrong, we can all see them. They are revealed through your attitude, the words that come out of your mouth, and your thoughts and actions. I would call these compound fractures, because you’re not only broken, you’re bleeding. Stop lying to yourself by saying you don’t have a problem or an issue. If you can’t control your emotions, you have a problem. I could say this all day, but no one will hear it, you have to take this to God. Ask Him to heal you. He may send someone special to help you, a doctor, or a friend. Receive their help and stop denying that you need it.

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

October 19

After months of rain, then record heat, I had not done very much in my yard. Mold and mildew were growing on the brick pavers and the wall of the garden. It was time to do a little sprucing up. I trimmed the hedges, cleared out some overgrown fern, and sprayed bleach on the pavers and the wall. I thought that the wall might need painting, but after a good dose of chlorine, it was sparkling clean. We are drawing near the time when Florida people will be able to comfortably enjoy the outdoors, and maybe have a fire in the fire pit and soak up some refreshing cool air. Even though we don’t have much of a season change here, we enjoy other things that remind us that there is something different in the atmosphere. This whole scenario is a reminder that we may not know the exact time for the Lord’s return, but there will be changes in the world that signal a nearness. My suggestion would be that you stay vigilant, and spruce up around the temple, cleaning, and polishing! Ready yourself for the call of the saints to join Him.

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. Revelation 1:7

October 18

I woke up to another song playing in my mind, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” What I learned today is so good! When someone makes me mad, I always repeat the words “hot burning coals, hot burning coals.” It refers to the scriptures in Proverbs and Romans where it says “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” It reminds me to stay nice. Today, I learned that the hot coal burns away sin! In the vision of Isaiah a burning coal was touched to his mouth and the guilt of his sin was atoned for. What can wash away your sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! That coal is Jesus! So, when I pray for hot burning coals on someone's head, I’m praying for their salvation. Pray Jesus down on the head of your enemy. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself and for them.

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah 6:6-7

October 17

Don’t you love waking up with a song in your heart? I woke up singing “Come Alive in the River,” and it has set the tone for my day. One of my favorite portions of scripture is in Ezekiel, and his vision where he was led into the river, a very wide river, it was almost a mile before he reached an area where he was in over his head! In this vision the sea became fresh where the river poured out, was teaming with fish, the trees bear fruit every month, and their leaves are for healing. This river represents the message of the gospel! Are you being led, little by little into the river or are you going to jump in over your head and swim? I say go all in! Live it, breathe it, and become it! Jesus has given us an amazing life and we should take full advantage of all it has to offer. We have been set free and should live like free people. We have been washed and cleansed in the living water. Go deep and go all in for Jesus!

Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. Ezekiel 47:5

October 16

Our church is having a Harvest festival as an alternative to Halloween. As I was researching Bible stories that I could use as a theme for a game or booth, I came across a rather weird story about a creepy old bone yard. It’s the perfect story for this season, with all its ghoulish shenanigans, except that it might be too much for a carnival for little kids. However, it is the perfect story to explain how amazing God is and shows what He can do with a bunch of old bones. This, like all Old Testament stories, points to Jesus. It might not seem that way at first, but once you hear the whole story, you realize it’s about the resurrection of the dead, and those lifeless souls who are dry and dusty coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Not only that, but it is a commissioning of the servants to preach to the unsaved, though it might seem futile, we are to do just as Ezekiel did in this vision, and keep preaching to those lifeless bones in the hopes that God will breathe life into them. I find this to be very encouraging, especially when there are those we love who are stubborn and won’t submit to the authority of Jesus and accept Him as Savior. We must keep speaking life into them and commanding the slain to breathe. Go to your Bible and read this story, especially those of you who love Halloween and darker themes, because it still includes death and darkness, but with the focus being on life, which is what we, as Christ followers, are all about. This story is found in Ezekiel 37:1-14

Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. Ezekiel 37:11-12

October 15

I started my devotional three times this morning and kept running into a brick wall. Why am I not hearing from the Holy Spirit? Have I done something wrong? Am I hearing Him, but ignoring His voice? Am I so anxious and unsettled that my movement is causing a blockage? The truth is that it could be any of those things, or it could be none of those things. It could be that the atmosphere is heavy because Halloween is near. I saw bats coming out of my neighbor's house, which is very creepy. This can happen to you at any time, no matter what time of year it is. The key to breaking through this invisible barrier is to keep praying; it’s one of our weapons in spiritual warfare. You will always have times like this, just remember that there are battles going on that you know nothing about, and just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Like this morning, I could feel it, but didn’t understand it. Remember Daniel and the battle that was fought in the heavens on his behalf? The point is to keep moving forward, don’t get discouraged. Repent, praise, pray, and get out your sword and cut through the thickness with the Word of God.

Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. Daniel 10:20

October 14

When a hurricane has drawn down on your location and everything you have in this world is about to be tested, you begin to realize what is most important. When you look at the photos of the most recent devastation, you are humbled by how temporary this present life is and are reminded that there is something bigger than us out there. In minutes a healthy, well built city can become rubble, and lives can be lost. In light of that, what is the most important lesson we can learn? We must always be prepared for the inevitable. Most of us will not get off this planet without facing death, unless Jesus comes back today. The material things we have are not important in eternity, so we must take time to sow spiritual seeds. You see, when looking at homes and businesses demolished, those people facing that reality will be thankful for their lives and the lives of their family and friends. The ones who were lost, left only with the things stored in their hearts. This is why it is so important for us to love others, and share with them the most important gift of all, Jesus. 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-10

October 13

I don’t want to brag or anything, but I know the Bible, and I’m pretty smart! Just kidding! Today, I would like to share with you how easy it is to study God’s Word and be accurate in your understanding.

The Bible in its original form was written in Hebrew and Greek. Unless you fully understand those languages you will not understand the Bible in its original form, and must rely on the intelligence of others and their connection with the Holy Spirit. If you’re that skeptical, you could either learn those languages, or do like I do and use a Lexicon like Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. It can help you better understand the use of each word in its context. I don’t sit down with a stack of books going over each and every scripture, though I could because I have all these books just in case the internet ceases to exist, I use a bible application called e-sword that has all of those books in it, and they are conveniently laid out on my tablet so I can see them all at one time. I also use the commentary of my favorite Bible scholar to help clarify my understanding and make sure what I heard was from the Holy Spirit and not just my own two cents. This commentary is also a part of this app and laid out on the screen too. I’m not trying to sell you on anything, but there are tools out there to give you a more complete understanding of God’s Word. It makes study easy and fun all at the same time. The e-sword’s library is quite extensive, so you will probably find more than you need, and will have to try a few until you find what works best for you. 

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Galatians 6:3-6

October 12

Being around someone who is harsh or yells at you will wear on you and cause you to second guess your decision to be in that job, relationship, or marriage. For many it is fight or flight. A person can only deal with it for so long before they decide to either quit that job or end that relationship. Proverbs 15:1 says: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. At some point, each of us have had to deal with a bully in our lives, if you haven’t, you are probably the bully. We need to examine ourselves and the way we treat others. If they have done something against us or the Word of God, they should be gently restored. Accusations and cruelty only cause anger and hurt feelings. Be careful with your words and your tone, because you never know what’s going through the other person's mind as you are unloading on them. They may grow tired of fighting and turn and walk away or worse, they could give up. Don’t be that person that sends someone over the edge.

In this verse in Galatians 6:1 it is talking about restoring someone who has sinned. I may have stretched it a little to use this verse in my devotional, but it is Biblical to be kind. It made me think about how we need to be more loving in our words and tone of voice.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1

October 11

At some point in your life I’m sure you’ve heard the song by Blake Shelton, Some Beach; if you haven’t, here are a few lines from it.

A man with a big cigar was getting into his car

I stopped and I waited for him to back up

But from out of no where a Mercedes Benz

Came cruisin' up and whipped right in

Some beach

Somewhere

There's no where to go when you got all day to get there

He goes on to tell us what a bad day he has had. My daughter had this same scenario happen to her. I try not to tell other people’s story, but today, I can’t help it; it fits perfectly into the message. She was waiting on a couple of people to get it together and back out of their spaces; they were side by side. When a teeny bopper came barreling around her, too impatient to wait. Just as the girl passed her, one of the spots opened up and the little hussy backed up and swooped right in. Thank goodness for Jesus and another spot or someone might have gotten a whipping right there in the parking lot. She verbally corrected her, but she kept her cool. She attributed her demeanor to walking in the Spirit. If she hadn’t been walking in the Spirit, the outcome could have been quite different. 

An article I read describes walking in the Spirit as “having a longer fuse and being full of thankfulness, singing, and joy.” Read the following verses about the fruits of the Spirit. If you are lacking any, ask God to help you work on them, but be prepared to have situations thrown at you, that’s the way God trains us. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Gala5:22-25

October 10

When you are in slavery to the flesh, you do not get a day of rest. You must continue to feed that desire. Remember, if you are on the wide path, it’s the path that everyone takes because it’s easier and has less roadblocks. When you are on the narrow path that leads to Jesus, the enemy will taunt you at every turn trying to make you turn back. He will remind you how much easier it is to deny Jesus and to give in to your fleshly desires. The works of the evil one are disguised in beauty and made to be tempting and alluring. Like a hunter luring their prey by covering the ground with corn, Satan devises schemes to draw you in promising you happiness and love, but he is the father of lies and cannot give you what your heart desires the most. God has created us to be drawn to Him, but if we don’t know Him, we will be drawn away from Him by following every wicked scheme devised and disguised as the peace that only God himself can give. You cannot have peace apart from Jesus. Some days, following Jesus doesn’t feel peaceful and can feel downright tormenting, but there is a peace, even during that trying time, that is beyond natural understanding. Hang in there today if you are suffering; being on the narrow path is hard, but the rewards are great and every minute will be worth it.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

October 9

I have worn many hats; grocery bagger, cashier, banker, office worker, and so on, but the one career I’ve held the longest is as a real estate agent. Forgive me if I refer back to that for the explanation of my point. I know you can relate because you have to live somewhere, even if you’re homeless you have to lay your head down on some portion of real estate. 

The main thrust of my business today is property management which includes writing leases for my rentals. My husband and I have been doing this for years and started with a very short lease, maybe two pages. Today, that lease is eight pages long. We began to notice that people didn’t treat our property the way we thought they should treat it, so we added rules to protect our assets. 

My explanation somewhat explains why God put the law in place for Israel. They had gotten so used to captivity that God had to teach them how to break free from their former oppression in Egypt and begin to see how wrong they were living. The Ten Commandments do the same thing for us. It points to our sin and our need for a Savior. When Jesus died on the cross, He did not abolish the law but fulfilled the law. When we do as Jesus says and love God and love others, we end up following the rules. This is true freedom!

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary... Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:19 & 23–24

October 8

When building a house, you start with the foundation. The foundation is only the beginning, there are other things you must do to finish the house. Our Christian life is the same. Accepting Jesus as our Savior is just the beginning, Most Christians have the foundation poured and that’s it, period. They get their free gift and that’s the end. They never begin putting up the walls, or roof, and their life in Jesus never becomes a home. I don’t know about you, but my home is my protection. There is a real powerful enemy out there that’s trying to get us, but if we do not start building upon our foundation in Jesus, we will be completely exposed to the enemy. D.L. Moody says it like this in his book THE OVERCOMING LIFE:

It is like this: when a man enters the army, he is a member of the army the moment he enlists; he is just as much a member as a man who has been in the army ten or twenty years. But enlisting is one thing, and participating in a battle another. Young converts are like those just enlisted.

Going to church is not enough, you must do more. You received your free gift, but the rest has to be worked for. I call it work because it’s not easy to crucify your flesh daily to follow Him. You have to lay down your old life and begin building the walls, and putting on the roof of your new home. If you have enough faith to believe that He is your Savior, you have enough faith to build your life in Him.

If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:14

October 7

There is a term in real estate that describes an outdated, useless building that is no longer desired, and cannot be easily changed; the term is “functional obsolescence.” This is especially true if it is a commercial building that the public will make use of, and it is not up to code. In many cases, these buildings are torn down and a new building is built, but the  new plans are drawn to make it more useful in this day and age, and to meet the current code. If a builder comes along and tears down that building and then decides to rebuild the same exact building, he has accomplished nothing. However, if he changes the plans to accommodate the new building code, it will then function properly and will be more useful and desirable.

This same term could be used to describe the Law of Moses. Even though God is the one who handed down that law, He also made that law obsolete when He sent His son Jesus to die for our sin; it was a sin because of the law and it was impossible to adhere to that law perfectly. Jesus tore down the old law and replaced it with the law of grace. A new believer tears down his old building, but shouldn’t replace it with the same building, but a new and improved building with Jesus as the foundation and the chief cornerstone. 

It’s okay to follow the law of Moses as long as it doesn’t hinder your freedom in Christ, but if it steps on the truth of the gospel, it should be refused.

For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. Galatians 2:18-21

October 6

Are you a people pleaser? I may have been this way for most of my life, but now, my main focus is to please God. I love people and want everyone to like me, but if they don’t, I try not to dwell on it. The truth is, if you are telling it like it is, about the Word of God, you will step on some toes. People don’t like for you to tell them they are sinning or that they have issues that are holding them from becoming their original self. They don’t want to know if they are going against God and His precepts, but if someone doesn’t tell them, they will continue to bear the chains. I get tired of hearing the clanking sound of chains being dragged around. Someone needs to help them, even if their precious feelings are going to be hurt. I read the post on social media, and because I’m free of most of my chains, I can see the things that are holding others back from living in the grace God has afforded them through Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. I believe some people can’t live without their pain. What would they complain about if it was gone? If only they realized how good it feels to be free, they would seek it with all that they have. If this sounds like you, I pray that you get there one day. The key is to please God, and forego the notion of trying to please people. As Paul says, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

October 5

Years ago, when I was a banker, I learned an important habit that I use today in my own business, and that is to save the office trash for a week or more. It may sound disgusting, but it’s only paper; we don’t put food in those cans. I put all the envelopes, junk mail flyers, and so on in the office trash can to insure that I have recourse in case I throw away something important. There was a time that I didn’t do that and mixed the mail and papers in with all the trash, and I threw a check away that was wrapped in, what looked like junk mail. I then had to dig through rotting garbage to find it. That’s when I decided that I needed to follow what I had learned in banking. It happened again, and I can’t tell you what a relief it was to be able to go back through clean trash and find that check! 

How many times does it take for you to learn a lesson? The Lord disciplines those He loves to guide you in the direction of the narrow path towards Him. Have you created habits to keep you from making mistakes? Do you repent quickly if you do make a mistake? Consider keeping in close contact with God on a daily basis, through prayer, and Bible study. It will help to minimize your mistakes.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:19

October 4

There is an excitement in trying something new. For instance, I got tired of wearing glasses, however, without them my vision isn’t as clear as I would like it to be. So, I went to the optometrist to be fitted for contact lenses. His question was, do you want to correct your distance and wear glasses for the up close or do you want dual vision and have one for up close and one for far away? Well, if I can have it all, that’s what I want! There is an adjustment period and I’m still a little fuzzy, but I’m confident that my vision will clear up soon. 

Sometimes I feel like a prophet of old, whom God gave a prophecy, by having him act out to explain what was going to happen. Though we have prophecy well written in the Word of God, an illustration will sometimes bring it to life for better understanding. However, in this case, it will give a better understanding of a particular portion of scripture.

The things we see now are just dimly lit, like when we were children, playing was fun and exciting, but now, not so much. When the spotlight of Heaven is pointed at the life we are now living, it will look like child’s play. Prophecy will be complete and will become useless because it has come to pass.

Like my dual vision during this adjustment period, when I look at a distance, my one eye becomes blurry, and when I try to focus up close the other eye becomes blurry. Eventually my vision will become clear in the distance and for the near sight, like when the light of Heaven lights up everything. We will then see how ridiculous our actions were for things we placed importance on. Like the scripture, the only lasting thing will be love. I’m going to try and become anxious about loving others and less anxious about the things that are going to disappear. How about you?

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away... For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:8 and 12. If you look up the rest, it will fill in the gaps. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

October 3

As I finish Ephesians, the only thing left is the final greeting. I’m struck by the word “love.” I’m not sure if we have a good understanding of what it means to love. I’m especially tormented by the lack of love I’m seeing for one another and a complete disregard for the respectful treatment of those people specifically chosen by God as the leaders of our country. I speak only for myself, but I stand on every word that comes out of the mouth of God, which are the holy scriptures. I can’t tell you how much I am sickened by what I hear coming from “Christians.” The threshing floor is open and the wheat is being separated from the weeds. Are we living in Sodom and Gomorrah? Maybe. I know God will let those of us who love Him, leave before it’s destroyed. If you get out, don’t look back! We have one judge, and that is Jesus. I pity those that will fall on that last day. I pity those who will live through full tribulation. If you are a true Christ follower, you hate the same things the Lord hates. I leave you with the Word of God, written in context so there is no guessing what it means, but in case you don’t understand what innocent blood is, let me just say, He knew you BEFORE you were born.

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19

October 2

If you want to inflict fatal wounds upon an enemy who has targeted you, you pick up this weapon and you DO NOT PUT IT DOWN! We are constantly being bombarded by spiritual darkness that seek to prevail over us because of our love for Jesus. To prevent their regiment from advancing, you must bring out the big guns, PRAYER!! When we are in the heat of battle, whether it’s illness, relationships, money, or other challenges, we can go straight to Jesus, the Commander of Angel armies who will intercede on our behalf. Remember how I said that one third of the angels were thrust upon the earth because of their rebellion? That means two thirds of the good guys are out there to come to our rescue! I doubt that God needs that many to defeat our enemies. We may not win every battle, but we should never forget that the Commander goes with us, and knows our needs. Keep crying out for justice, don’t give up! 

There is a story that Jesus tells of a woman who kept going before a judge who didn’t fear God or respect man. She kept asking for justice, and he kept rejecting her. She was unrelenting, and weakened him so that he got tired of hearing her. He finally gave in because of her persistence. (This parable is in Luke 18:1-7) We must seek God the same way. Pray on every occasion! We must keep a constant conversation going with the Lord, because at every turn, the enemy is waiting to catch us off guard. 

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18

To simplify what it means to wear the Whole Armor of God:

1. The Helmet of Salvation - Be secure in your salvation

2. Breastplate of Righteousness - stay free from sin

3. Belt of Truth - Read your Bible

4. Shoes of Peace - Trust God for supernatural peace

5. Shield of Faith - stops the flaming arrows and conquers unbelief

6. Sword of the Spirit - hearing the Holy Spirit - the rhema word of God

7. Prayer - never cease praying.

October 1

Imagine going into battle without a helmet. A javelin to the head would surely be the end! But God in His unimaginable love for us, gave us salvation through our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is our Helmet of Salvation. This helmet is our protection against the end, and with it, our hope for eternity is secure, and Satan cannot take that away. Without the Helmet of Salvation, there would be no need for any of the other armor.

I’m sure most of you have heard the comedian John Crist. He has a video where he is acting like a lady who has a Bible verse for every situation. Of course it is quite exaggerated, but it’s what I think of when I think of the Sword of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will bring to mind the scripture that will pertain to our situation and give us the word we need when we are battling the enemy. For instance, when Jesus was being tempted, scripture came into His mind and He used it in His response to Satan. Finally, after several attempts, Jesus simply told him to be gone. There are times that you know that what you felt in your heart came from God, a quickening of the Spirit; it’s called a rhema word. It’s to know that you know, you heard from God! If what you think you heard is from God, it will never go against scripture. 

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17

There is one more all important piece of equipment that a soldier should never go into battle without. Check back tomorrow to find out what it is.