May 7, 2022

Richard’s dad loved plants, and I do too, but they had been allowed to grow unkempt for many years, and the beauty has become chaos. We have been working diligently to clean it up. A boardwalk led to the pond that was like a jungle; my kids wanted us to leave it, but I couldn’t do it. They remembered traipsing through it as children and wanted to preserve that memory. As I was going through photos and other things, I found a picture of it when it was new, and it was incredible. It was a clear path with no encumbrances and very fresh looking. I want to bring it back to its original beauty.

We were born with a new path, but many of life’s trials have overgrown it and caused encumbrances. They drive our minds to become cluttered and have hidden the beauty. You must begin to clear out the weeds and even some of the shrubbery you planted. It could be treacherous to try and clean it all at once, but God can help you eliminate the underbrush little by little and reveal your beautiful mind. Ask God to help you walk through this process. You won’t believe how free you will feel, and the worries of the world will become less, and God will become more. 

to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

May 6, 2022

Last night, we were on our way to dinner when we noticed something unusual in our path. We have a relatively long driveway, and it looked like a tree branch had fallen. Upon closer examination, it became clear that it was a six-foot alligator because the tree branch suddenly got up and began to walk across the road. We knew we had one in the pond, but I never thought about it getting out and walking around. It’s bigger than I expected! Now I’m on high alert to ensure my dogs don’t get eaten! 

We know the enemy is there, but we don’t feel threatened until we see him moving; that’s when we decide we need to protect ourselves and those around us. However, we must not become complacent and stay fully armored. He is very cunning and slips into the shadows until he notices that you are weak. That’s why it’s essential to stay alert. Know God’s Word, seek him in prayer, tune into the Holy Spirit, and tighten your relationship with him. The day is coming that you will need every weapon in your arsenal to defend yourself and slay the beast.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:12-13

May 5, 2022

I sat on my porch this morning. There’s nothing better than being surrounded by God’s creation when digging into his word and tuning into his voice. My dogs like it too. One of them, which never sits with me, interestingly wanted me to pick her up so she could see outside. I had thrown out some seeds for the birds, and many different varieties threw in for a bite to eat; it was so much fun to see! The squirrels stayed away because my dogs were guarding the area. I watched as the sun came up over the trees and lit up the sky. Then I heard him say that we shouldn’t worry about the turmoil in the news because his love is sufficient to carry us through these evil days. His plan will succeed no matter what we hear. Keep your chin up; there is a change in the air and a turning tide. Trust Him. He loves and provides for the birds and the creatures; imagine how much he loves and will provide for us.

For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Luke 12:23-24

May 4, 2022

Then suddenly, the issue of women’s rights is back on the table. But I thought there were no genders? Now it’s back to “my body, my choice?” Now the issues of the woke mob are full of confusion. The lies they have told the world have finally caught up to them. Now they don’t know how to act or what to believe. Indeed they are being led around by some fool, like a cow with a ring in its snout. Look at them, they are dazed and confused, and we know who the master of confusion is! They don’t know how to think or what to believe. Have we finally reached the beginning of the end of far left? Is the truth going to set us free? You bet it will! The truth is easier to keep up with, and it makes sense. Those who have refused to go along with the madness have an advantage because we never bought into the ridiculousness, and we don’t have to de-program ourselves. If ever there were Bible verses that describe us, it is the following: 

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:2-4

May 3, 2022

Wait a minute! Don't get too excited about the news of Roe v Wade being turned over by the Supreme Court. A clerk may have had malicious intent in releasing that information before it was solidified. As soon as the report was released, protesters came out of the woodworks with their pre-made signs. Something smells funny about it. This decision will probably go back to the individual states, which means it will still exist. People will continue to sacrifice their children to the god of convenience. The Democrats are changing up the narrative, taking the attention away from Ukraine and other failures, all to try and give the midterm elections a boost for themselves. They will fuel riots again and get you to look away from the real issues. The lockdowns aren't working anymore, so they had to develop something new. Don't get me wrong, I want this heinous crime against humanity to end too, but I immediately got a check in my spirit when I heard it. Let no one be deceived. Keep your eyes and ears open, and continue to seek God. It's going to be a bumpy ride. I'm so glad he allowed me to live to see the prophecies becoming fulfilled.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7

May 2, 2022

Here's a lesson I think we forget; the saints of the Bible didn't always have a pleasant life, but they still honored God. For example, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, also known as Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were taken into captivity by the Babylonians at a very young age, castrated, and lost their identity, so they could serve the king of that country. Though it wasn't easy for them, they never turned against God, even for decrees submitted by the government formulated to get them killed. God rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace and saved Daniel from the lions because they were faithful to him. Take these things to heart as our country creates laws to try and harm or imprison us. The new "ministry of truth," recently designed, is nothing more than a way to take away our voice and give them a reason to throw people in jail who speak against their administration. Every day they hack away at our freedom. If we allow it to continue, we could face communism. If that happens, make sure you are found blameless before God and choose to honor Him, even if that means you are jailed.

My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm." Daniel 6:22

May 1, 2022

The writing is on the wall, and the detestable practices of the current administration will be revealed for all to see. God will not be mocked by the likes of a prideful king/president. I’ve started reading the Book of Daniel. He gives us insight into how he handles kings who lift themselves against God. King Belshazzar gave a party and decided to use the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar, his father, had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem. He then began to praise the gods of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Then out of nowhere, fingers appeared and wrote words into the plaster on the wall. He knew that he had made a mistake by testing God. He got weak, and the color drained from his face. They called for Daniel to come and interpret the words. After Daniel admonished him and gave his interpretation, King Belshazzar was dead the next day, and a Persian king replaced him. I have no clue what will happen to the Biden administration, but it’s reasonable to believe that because he positions himself against God Almighty, his position as president couldn’t last very long. 

This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” Daniel 5:26-28

April 30, 2022

I’m full of random questions this morning. The more I hear about the ridiculous actions of our government leaders, I wonder who is truly in charge. Are they being secretly controlled and allowed to push their agenda forward to show how depraved they truly are? Are the good guys in power? If so, how far will they let them go? Though the vaccine has consequences, did it keep us from being locked down for years while the communist overtook us? With as many weapons as we have as individuals, why would they ever think they could control us? But they are! With gas prices and food shortages. Have you heard about all the fires in the food processing plants throughout our country? They are creating a food shortage! Lawlessness has increased. Bad is good, and good is bad. Right is wrong, and wrong is right. Nothing makes sense. The ruthless are doing everything they can to try and control uncontrollable people. As scary as this sounds, we know God is watching. I am confident he will protect us from their criminal activity! This is a spiritual battle, but it has physical consequences. Stay strong, mighty warriors of God, and continue to fight the good fight!

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:12-13

April 29, 2022

Symbolism is everywhere! Once you begin to recognize it, you will realize that the devil’s hand is in everything! What’s sick is that churches are involved! We must continue to pray for the children of God. As the world becomes more unstable, the enemy’s intentions become known; you can see it; it’s right in our face. We must seek God for his wisdom to teach us how we should traverse society. Rather than becoming reactionary, we must use our prayer as a weapon against enemy forces. Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit when it comes to dealing with people, and continue to worship and honor God. It is our responsibility to give everything to him and submit to his authority and power; because when we are weak, he is strong. We cannot go to war against the enemy alone; he will chew us up and spit us out. Recognize that we can do nothing without God and his strength. Know that we are already victorious because we are blessed!

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

April 28, 2022

The truth about what’s going on in the world is right in our face, yet we don’t believe it because it doesn’t seem real. The enemy thrusts it in front of us and tells us what they are doing, but we dismiss it as a slip of the tongue. How often have we heard world leaders “accidentally” use the wrong words, and we count it as a mistake? They’ve been slipping up a lot! These aren’t accidents; it’s the truth! I’ve read that those following certain cults must tell us what they are doing before they do it; it’s part of their code of ethics. Imagine that, followers of Satan have a code of ethics. Words have power, and if we don’t start listening more carefully to what these cult followers are saying, we will lose every bit of our freedom. They are in our government, the media, churches, Hollywood, and throughout. We must come against these powers and principalities of this dark world and seek the help of God to counteract the measures they are using against us. We are at war, but because we’ve been blinded by what’s right in front of our eyes, we fail to see it. We are called to get in the battle! Put on the whole armor of God! What is the armor? Salvation, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, and righteousness. 

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:11-12

April 27, 2022

Going through the process of a home inspection is grueling, but when it’s ten, it’s torturous! Because these are rental duplexes, we pay the water bill. Then imagine finding out that half of them have leaks that we know nothing about! We’ve tried explaining our expectations to our tenants, especially when it comes to any kind of water issue, but because they don’t pay the water bill or have to pay for the damage it causes, it doesn’t seem to matter to them. It took an hour for the inspectors to complete each unit. Thankfully, they had a team, but it still took the entire day. 

What if we were being inspected by Jesus? Would you stand up to the test, or would he find out that you’ve taken advantage of his generosity? When you accepted him as Savior, he wiped your slate clean, giving you a perfect home; however, many continue to sin and cause damage like a leak, and he must pay for the damage you caused. You may ask, “how do I cause damage?” Sin always causes harm, whether it’s to you or someone else who is affected by it. Do your best to refrain from the appearance of sin, so your testimony is clean.

Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27

April 26, 2022

I'm not sure how this day will go, but the birds seem to think it's going to be great. Their songs are so loud that I can't hear anything else. My day is tied up in home inspections, and I dread it. Thankfully this will be the last of them. I don't like intruding on others and their homes, but it's necessary when a sale is involved. Sometimes, when we share Jesus with others, they feel like we are intruding because it makes them evaluate how they live. They feel like we are calling them out on their lifestyle. The truth is that it's the Holy Spirit causing them to feel judged because they know the way they are living is wrong. Remember Jesus and the woman at the well? He held nothing back and told her everything she had done. He didn't tread carefully on her feelings. I think we may be so afraid of rejection that we fail to share the gospel's truth with those who need it the most. We must take our cues from Jesus; he was bold and unafraid. If they reject our message, we can walk away. Sometimes a little intrusion is necessary to save a life.

So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” John 4:28-29

April 25, 2022

We installed new cameras around our house yesterday. It’s like a kid getting a new toy; we played with it all afternoon. You would think we were scared of the dark with all the surveillance we have. I may be a bit behind on the technological front, but I was intrigued by the ability to communicate through these tiny cameras. I was walking around the house testing them to see how long it took them to notify us of activity, and I heard Richard on the speaker asking me if I could hear him! Incredible! Eyes everywhere! You can’t go anywhere on our property without being the star of a movie.

It made me think about how God watches over his children and how protective he is. He watches and takes notes. Keep listening for his voice and responding when he calls to you. He may not act on your behalf right away, but guaranteed he will avenge you in due time and return to you double what you have lost at the enemy’s hand. Nothing has happened to you that God doesn’t see.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12

Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. Zechariah 9:12

April 24, 2022

Moving into Richard’s childhood home has been a challenge. I tend to want everything perfect; however, God has broken me of that stronghold by placing me in an imperfect home that needs a lot of work. I’m super excited about an accessory building called the “Pool-house,” but his dad never built a pool. Our family always gathered there on Christmas Day. My intentions are to make it into a chapel, a place for my family to gather once again, only this time to worship God. I’m probably more excited about that than anything else. It will require a commitment, but what better way to worship God than to bring your family close and begin training your grandchildren on how to preach and teach. In the future, they will be able to do their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. We can do many things to further the gospel message, but the best thing is to teach the children how they should go. If they stray, they will remember their childhood and come back to their seat of comfort and peace in the love of Jesus.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

April 23, 2022

The day of the Lord will not be good for those who have rejected Jesus. Some people are doing the bidding of Satan that have no idea what they’ve become mixed up in. They follow the woke culture thinking they are righteousness in their deeds when truthfully they are going against everything good God has put in place. I pity them because they will face the wrath of God because of their stupidity. Zechariah holds nothing back when explaining what that day will be like for them; he records some gruesome details in chapter 14; you will have to read it yourself. Get this straight in your head, we are the remanent and will not face God’s wrath, so when you read about the wrath of God, understand that it’s not meant for you. Our hope lies in Jesus; he is our King!

A common theme from the prophets is the warning about the Day of the Lord. The verses I’ve included are the good news that Zechariah brings; much of the rest are warnings for the people involved in doing evil. 

In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. Zechariah 13:8

On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter. And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one. Zechariah 14:8-9

April 22, 2022

God may be refining you by fire right now; like gold and silver, he is purifying you. The trials you face are faith-building, and God will use them to bring you into submission, so you follow him more closely. We don’t like it when this happens, but God does. He loves it when we turn to Him and rely on him for our next breath and desires to strengthen us through our weakness by trusting in his will. He won’t leave you crumpled in a pile on the floor; he gives hope and light in the darkness. The enemy seethes when we rely wholeheartedly on the Lord, but the Lord smiles and tells him to wait and see your response to his torment! Remember Job? Even when he thought all was lost, God replaced everything he had lost plus more because he continued to trust him. I’ve been through the fire, and though I wouldn’t want to go through it again, I’m grateful it happened because it built my faith and trust in God. I encourage you to keep your eyes firmly placed on Him, and you will shine like a bright star when you get through it. 

And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’” Zechariah 13:9

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

April 21, 2022

Richard and I are taking advantage of the market and selling some of our rentals. Even though the properties are residential, which is usually an easy transaction, they are income-producing. We have to give the buyer extra information to make a good decision. When we recently moved, I stashed some critical papers and forgot! I was missing about half of what I needed to show the buyers. I looked everywhere and then decided to go through each file in the cabinet because they couldn't be anywhere else. I should have filed them properly, but I found them clumped together in one folder. 

When we spread the seeds of the gospel, people will put them in a file in their minds. Then the devil will come along with other data to create confusion. Rather than having the information filed where it belongs, it gets clumped together, and the necessary information gets lost. Our message to unbelievers must be clear. When we mix ideas like the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause with God's message, it is diluted, and people get confused. Too many times have I heard Christians explain that these things can be used to bring people to Christ. Is the message of Christ so weak that it can't stand alone? I think not.

I don't have an answer to how we should separate these traditions, but we need to do something. 

Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Romans 1:22-23

April 20, 2022

It’s amazing how light can transform a space. The access to our house was overgrown. The trees had grown so much that the entry was dark, and the roots were causing the concrete to break. Don’t get me wrong, I love trees, but when they are poorly placed and causing problems, they need to go. The gates can fully open now that we’ve removed them and cleared the brush. Are there trees in your life that need to be removed or trimmed back? Maybe there is something that started out as a good thing but has grown into an intrusion, and you’ve taken it too far. Perhaps you’ve become obsessed with fitness, the internet, sports, shopping, or something else taking over your life and causing you to drift away from the Lord. Anything that keeps you from spending quality time with God may need to be brought into check and cleared away so the light can shine in your life. You never want the access to the temple to become overgrown; clear away the brush, so the gates open wide, and the voice of the Holy Spirit becomes more evident.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

April 19, 2022

Yesterday, I began sorting through all the things in the garage attached to the house. My father-in-law liked cars and had a beautiful car covered with dust sitting in the garage. It barely fit in there because of all the other things he collected. As beautiful as it is, you can’t even open the doors because the battery is dead! Going through his things hasn’t been easy, but I need garage space because the front porch is cluttered, and I can’t stand it. Plus, I’m afraid the car will be damaged if something falls on it or scrapes against it. I understand his need to be surrounded by the things he purchased; somehow, I guess they made him happy; a human might need that if they are not seeking joy through Jesus. 

Our minds are like the messy garage; we need to sort through the clutter! The process is not easy because you have to look at each thing and assess whether it needs to stay or go. Undoubtedly, painful things need healing to become functional. It’s like the inoperable car; it’s sitting in the garage, useless. It needs to be recharged and given new life rather than sitting there stagnant and causing more pain; pain because I keep running into it. Change your pain into a ministry; unbelievers should see the joy of your healing rather than the sorrow associated with your pain. They may look at you and want the same contentment you have, and it only comes from having a relationship with Jesus.

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

April 18, 2022

I’ve given up on having a bird feeder because of the raccoons and squirrels tearing them up. It also brings other rodents close to my house that I’m not fond of. So, last night I emptied the feeder onto the sidewalk, and it was nearly full. This morning, I’m watching as multiple types of birds, and the squirrels are munching on the feast I laid out before them. Needless to say, the birds are waiting in the branches to take a turn eating. This may be more fun than the feeder! 

I began my study of Zechariah and got stopped in chapter 3 by a verse that mentioned the “Branch;” it was capitalized, which got my attention.

Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. Zechariah 3:8

We know the “Branch” is Jesus. But look what it says a couple of verses down:

In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3:10

The different types of birds coming from branches to feast on the food remind me of all the nationalities coming together because of Jesus. It also reminds me of the Great Commission, which he gave his disciples right after his resurrection! 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19

I love how the Old and New Testaments weave together in perfect harmony with a message that is on time and in order. Only the Holy Spirit can create such seamless lessons.