March 18, 2023

We have cameras around our property because when we first moved in, there were several incidents of people skulking around our barns and garages, and at least one made off with some loot. Now, rather than seeing robbers on the cameras, we get to see wildlife which I find fascinating. We have a couple of coyotes that pass through the property occasionally. Two of our neighbors have chickens, and I expect they are on their way to try and break into their cages. We don’t have anything for them to eat, so they pass on through. 

The enemy causes the battles that disrupt your life to distract you and steal your peace. When he decides to take a swipe at you, he will fail to take you out; nevertheless, he will try. However, we have the ultimate protection of Jesus, and we sleep in our armor! He may leave his footprints on our property, but because we don’t have anything for him to eat, he passes on through. Stand firm; God will have the victory!

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:19-20

March 17, 2023

I just discovered that one of my lime tree's leaves could be used as a seasoning. I have to admit that I thought it was possible when I checked them for bugs and was astonished that the aroma tantalized my senses, but I never considered using it in my cooking. The things you learn on YouTube! I've started looking into edible perennial plants that can tolerate our Florida heat and drought. I'm amazed to find many plants that fit that description. The more I learn, the more I realize that God thinks of everything; he provides for our needs and never leaves us without options. Imagine growing food that doesn't need care! The earth's powerful beings have suppressed our knowledge, so we need to seek ways to become self-sufficient in case our supply of food and finances becomes halted. Even if that never happens, wouldn't it feel good to know you could survive if it does? We've become so comfortable in our easy lifestyles that we may need to reassess our situation, dig into ways to provide for ourselves, and become less vulnerable. It's just a thought. 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

March 16, 2023

I'm standing firm on the mission statement I made years ago: "Training believers to break bonds and live free." Many of us are still bound by our past. When Jesus saved us because we accepted him as our Savior and committed to trusting him, he gave us a clean slate. We no longer have to feel guilty about our past, but it's harder for some of us to let it go because its pain still lingers. Years ago, when I decided to work on myself, it took time, but with the help of the Holy Spirit reminding me of the things still lingering and buried in my mind from the past, he helped me pray my way through it. It feels good to be set free. 

My ministry is to believers; however, Paul broke new ground and entered into areas that had never heard of Jesus. Can you imagine finding someone nowadays who has absolutely no knowledge of Jesus? Christmas alone tells anyone listening who he is, even though most people ignore the significance of the celebration. Because Paul started from scratch, he had to cover a lot of material to bring the church into compliance with the Word of God; that could be why he wrote so many letters. 

If you haven't started cleaning up your wrong thinking, start today. Talk to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will guide you to the truth about who God says you are. 

and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” Romans 15:20-21

March 15, 2023

I’m so excited about growing my own food. I’ve harvested a few green beans and expect to pick squash in a few days. Almost everything I planted was low in sugar until yesterday; I planted sweet potatoes. Hopefully, their high fiber content will help counterbalance the carbohydrates. They should do pretty well because they love the sun and the heat we have here in Florida. I try to be careful about what I eat because I don’t want to be overweight and because sugar seems to slow me down. I love food; it’s my weakness. Limiting my carbohydrate intake allows me to eat as much as I want of other foods, which makes me very happy. However, I don’t condemn others for eating sugar and carbs, though indulging may be a sin for me because it’s part of me taking up my cross daily. I like to carb-load occasionally, too.

There are a lot of limits to what a person can eat in the Jewish faith, so Paul wrote a portion of the letter to the Romans about them condemning others for what they choose to eat. God made everything clean; eat whatever you want, but be careful that your food doesn’t affect your health. 

I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. Romans 14:14-15

March 14, 2023

If ever there was a time for these verses, it is now!

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11-12

Too many Christians are still asleep, and it’s’ time for their slumber to end. We all need to engage in the current spiritual battles and the ones to come. Just pull up one headline, and you will see that the world is getting restless, and it seems the time for the Lord’s return is nearing. Put on the armor of light and let it shine for all to see; just admitting that you trust Jesus will sometimes cause a battle to begin. Be brave, mighty warriors of God! Bring as many as you can into the saving grace of God. Time is short, but salvation lasts into eternity. 

March 13, 2023

Last night, we went to dinner at a restaurant we’d never been to. We thought it was Mexican food, but it was Colombian. Rather than leaving, we decided to try it. It was still Spanish style, but we weren’t sure what to order. After sitting there for some time, we realized we had entered a different culture; it was almost as if we were in a foreign country. I only noticed one other couple that wasn’t Spanish because they didn’t speak broken English like most people there. The food was good, just different than we expected. 

The smiles on faces spoke volumes. People were enjoying one another’s company. They were probably happy to eat an authentic meal without cooking it at home. It’s nice to embrace a culture that is different from our own. Sometimes we need to slow down, take in the moment, and observe others genuinely loving one another; it’s a change of pace from all the negativity that seems to rule the day. Love God and love others. It’s not that hard to do.

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:10

March 12, 2023

Romans 12 is my favorite chapter in the book of Romans. It covers how you should act as a Christ-follower. It is a checklist of behaviors you can go through to see if you measure up. It first explains that our lives are meant to be a living sacrifice as a form of spiritual worship. Did you ever consider the way you live to be a form of worship to God? Our entire lives are to become so wrapped up in God that every move we make indicates our loyalty. He wants us to live for him becoming separated from the things of this world. 

Years ago, I set my mind to undoing anything I had come to believe wasn’t the truth, things I picked up on and was taught that may not conform to the teaching of the Bible. I considered the things I believed and measured them against biblical truths. You would be surprised at how many things we were taught aren’t true. You must ask yourself why you believe the way you believe and correct your thinking; that’s how you hold every thought captive. You will be surprised at how good it feels to be set free from all the lies. 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

March 11, 2022

I'm looking forward to Heaven, but I can't wait to live in the New Jerusalem under the rule of King Jesus! Imagine cultivating a garden and having your plants flourish without bugs and disease. Last night I spent an hour spraying my citrus trees because some bug was causing the new leaves and some old ones to curl up. Then my peas, which are newly sprouted, have bites out of them! The other day it was the squash! I thought I could control the pest by companion planting, but that's not happening yet. Oh, and it started raining as soon as I finished applying the pest control! Now, I don't know if I should use it again or wait. I'm not going to cry about the rain; we've needed it; that was the first time my vegetable garden has gotten watered by God. 

I've mentioned this a few times, but my word of the year is "persevere." I couldn't be more sure than I am right now that I heard God correctly. Thankfully the things I must persevere through are not that harsh so far. Because we are grafted into God's family, our labor is only temporary, but we must persevere until God calls us to eternity. If you are struggling through a rough time, hold on tight to the promises of God. You will see its end and will one day rest from striving.

Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. Romans 11:22

March 10, 2023

Roxie is one of the cows that live on our property. She is very gentle, and I love to pet her, but she has skills that other cows don’t have; she can open a gate. And though that might be good for a cow, it isn’t good for the farmer. One day, I found her outside the fence and had to put her back. We still have a few cars left on the property from the auction in December; we have fence panels around them, so the cows don’t hurt them. Yesterday, I was working in the garden when I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye that didn’t make sense. Somehow Roxie had broken into and was standing next to one of those cars. I’m unsure why because there’s not much grass in there. All I could figure was that she wanted to be on the tarp that had blown off the car. She thought that tarp was something special. I climbed in there with her and backed her out. 

We are like Roxie because we are gentiles, and the tarp is like Jesus. God chose the Jewish people, but he drew in the gentiles to become sons and daughters when they rejected him. Lucky for us, God taught us to open the gate, and like Roxie standing on the tarp, we are standing on the promises of God.

Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” Romans 10:20-21

March 9, 2023

My dad encouraged me to plant some peanuts in my garden. He gave me some dried-up peanuts in the shell and told me to carefully take them out of the husk without removing the papery skin on the outside of them because, without that skin, they wouldn’t germinate. Because the seeds are so big, I thought they would take a while to emerge from the ground. However, to my surprise, they came up rather quickly and broke the ground as they began to sprout. I had to look it up online because the soil looked like it was rejecting the seed because there were peanuts on top of the ground. In the middle of the peanuts were tiny green leaves beginning to unfurl. I guess that’s how all seeds germinate, but because of the size, God allowed me to watch the magic of the dead seeds coming back to life and multiplying. 

Here’s my takeaway; the papery skin is like Jesus; you don’t want to die without having him. He is the key to the Kingdom! You must believe with all your heart that God raised him from the dead and confess with your mouth that he is Lord. And another thing, you must die to yourself, like the dried-up peanut, so when you are firmly planted in Jesus, like your water baptism, you emerge from the ground and produce more. How many of those peanuts will be eaten, and how many will be saved for seeds? More will be eaten than saved. Thank God that he made you a seed!

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10

March 8, 2023

A couple of months ago, I went shopping and found the perfect flooring for my house. However, the price was astronomical! I want my entire house to have the same flooring throughout, but there are areas where wood should not go, like the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room. I started thinking about my washing machine overflowing, accidentally scratching it, and how I would feel after spending so much money on it. It didn’t make sense to have something so beautiful and have to worry about ruining it; I want to be comfortable in my home, not fearful. We looked around again and found a tile that had a similar look to the wood we picked, which would solve my problem of the wet areas, and I wouldn’t have to worry as much about ruining it, plus the cost was much more reasonable. 

There are many things we have a choice in, and hopefully, we make good decisions, but only some are our choices. God is very clear when he says he will have mercy on whomever he pleases. He chose us! Some people will never accept the things of God because he has hardened their hearts. Why? Because he is God and can do what he pleases. Are you taking your salvation for granted? He picked you out of the many; how do you show gratitude? Do whatever it takes to strengthen your faith and trust in him, and become grateful that God chose you.

So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. Romans 9:16-18

March 7, 2023

We need some rain! This pollen is ravaging my sinuses and lungs. I’m in a quandary because the weather is beautiful and calls me outside to enjoy the springtime flowers that are busting out everywhere, but I should stay inside where I’m safe from the dusting. 

There is a parallel in the spiritual world to this dilemma. The enemy will dangle in front of you something sparkly and beautiful to draw you into his world, giving you the sense that it’s godly when it’s only a trap that will cause you to sin. We must discern the difference between good and evil because not everything bright and beautiful is of God. We must learn to listen to the Holy Spirit’s quiet voice that requires us to be still to hear it. Unfortunately, we reside in Satan’s kingdom, where he rules in the darkness, so we must maneuver through it carefully. Though he is trying to kill us like pollen, we must armor up and be ready for daily battles. We need fresh rain to wash the pollen into the ground and the living water that is Jesus to cleanse the earth of madness. 

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

March 6, 2023

My squash plants have already begun blooming, and I can see tiny squash all over them. I am concerned about some of them having silvery leaves. Though the plants look pretty, I looked up the condition to see if I should be worried about them. According to the University of Kentucky, my squash has been invaded by the silver-leaf white fly. They lay their eggs on the underside of the leaf, and the larva eats the leaf from the inside, making it look silver. I can either order tiny wasps and turn them loose as a natural but expensive remedy or spray them with insecticide. It’s still early in the season, so if they become ruined, I can replant them. It’s disappointing, especially since the garden seems to be progressing so well. Whatever I do to handle the pest, their feasting on my plants will not deter me! 

This analogy is a prime example of how Satan works. He plants tiny thoughts in your mind to get you thinking negatively. It could be anything; something you saw in an advertisement, a comment made, something you read, or just about anything. Then it begins eating at you until he convinces you that you are not worthy. You look pretty on the outside but are torn apart on the inside. Use some scripture as pest control and tell Satan to get behind you! Don’t forget that Jesus took care of all that when he died on the cross and rescued you from the fire. You died to sin and are hidden within him, which makes you worthy.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

March 5, 2023

I enjoy driving my car. One of my requirements in a vehicle is that it must have a V-8 engine. I like having pickup on takeoff because I live in a congested area and don't want to get killed pulling out onto the roadway. However, there is another reason for wanting a V-8 engine, speed! I have no intention of breaking the law when I drive, but something within my flesh enjoys getting where I'm going at a high rate of speed. Don't get me wrong, I know the speed limit, but I choose to let my flesh overtake me when I'm behind the wheel of my car.

Would I be speeding if the law hadn't set boundaries on how fast I could drive? No. I wouldn't even know I was speeding. Because the law sets the rules, I know I'm a lawbreaker; I can't help it; my flesh overtakes me. Think of the Ten Commandments; we wouldn't know we were sinning if God hadn't given the law, but he did,  and now we know we are sinners. Death comes to those who sin, but because of Jesus, we do not have to pay the price for our sins. After getting a ticket, I will slow down for a while, but then my flesh will overtake me again, and off I go, speeding to my next destination. That analogy is Romans Chapter 7 in a nutshell. 

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Romans 7:22-25

March 4, 2023

Several weeks ago, I planted asparagus. I followed the directions on the package, and they began coming up. As they grew, I realized that what I had purchased may not be enough to enjoy with a meal, so yesterday, I bought more. When you open the package, they look dead. Following the directions, I soaked them in compost tea to boost them before planting. I dug a trench 6” deep, carefully spreading out the roots, covered them with 3” of soil, and watered them in. When they peak out of the ground, I cover them with three more inches of dirt. The package said the roots were two years old, so they weren’t to be eaten until they were three. It took everything in me not to pop off their little heads and eat them immediately.

The asparagus roots are similar to what we were before we accepted Jesus as our Savior, dormant with the look of death. We received baptism, a symbol of death, and came up from the water with a new life, like my asparagus soaking in compost tea before planting. Then we are planted in the soil, like attending church, studying our Bible, and learning biblical truths. Then, just as we think we are ready to take on the world, God plants us deeper. The enemy is there waiting for us to pop our heads out so he can eat us alive, but God makes him wait until we are more robust and can engage in the battle against evil. The war is fierce, and every available soldier needs to engage the enemy now. We need to plant more roots to have fresh recruits, so keep telling others about Jesus’s free gift.

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23

March 3, 2023

Have you noticed that the weediest-looking trees produce gorgeous flowers? We have several golden trumpet trees, Tabebuia, on the property, and they bloom prolifically in the spring, but for the rest of the year, they look like something you would cut down. They have flimsy branches, and the leaves aren’t great; they are not much to look at except when they bloom. If you didn’t know about its springtime beauty, you would be shocked at how fabulous it looks when it decides to show off. 

Most of us are like that tree. We are regular people until God decides to use us to glorify himself. It’s like the Holy Spirit comes out of nowhere, and words come out of our mouths that we didn’t know were there. Whether he uses us to comfort someone or to bring a lost soul to salvation, he pours into us daily for such moments as this. Some people don’t even know they have the Holy Spirit until God decides to use them. That’s when God gives them a testimony they will share for the rest of their lives. 

It shows that God has a plan for everyone to show his glory, even if it’s only occasionally. Your beauty is hidden until the perfect moment when he chooses for you to bloom.

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, Romans 6:17

March 2, 2023

Having a plot of land to garden and toil in the soil has brought me immense joy. I feel God's blessing pouring down on me when digging and sweating. However, yesterday, he reminded me of the word he gave me for this year, perseverance! One of the types of plants I love the most is bromeliads. They are a shade-loving variety that adds color to an otherwise dark and shaded area. I had moved them to a holding area to get them out of the way of the work being done to the house. They are air plants that don't need soil to stay alive. Yesterday was the day to move them to a permanent location. I began by cleaning up the tree they would dwell under; then, I loaded some old stump grindings piled up where a tree had been. I moved four loads, shoveling and spreading, making a beautiful flowerbed. I thought I had found the perfect spot until the day wore on; that's when I realized that at the sun's high point, that area got full sun! Bromeliads cannot tolerate the sun. I had to do the entire project over again in a different spot. I'm still worn out today! Thankfully, I persevered, and that task is now complete. 

It's not always easy living in this world, and it seems more complicated today than ever. Don't get caught up in the bad news of the day. Do not give up! Persevere! We live through this time in history for a reason—people who don't have Jesus feel hopeless. But God has given us the task of reassuring them and telling them of our hope. It is worth the effort to keep another human from eternal damnation in the scorching heat of hell and give them Jesus and a shady spot in Heaven. 

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

March 1, 2023

I headed out the door yesterday to find some petunias for my garden. I started some about a month ago, but they are barely a speck in the starting soil, and I have no idea why they aren’t growing. The nursery I was hoping to get them from had closed its doors, and because I was already halfway there, I ended up in Plant City; we’re just a few miles from there anyway. I went to Lowe’s, and they had the petunias I wanted at a reasonable price. Compared to my growth-stunted petunias, no matter how hard you try to help someone grow in Christ, it’s up to them to make an effort to change and for God to promote growth. I didn’t throw them out; I planted them alongside the bigger ones hoping they would begin to mature. Sometimes an immature Christian needs other Christians to emulate; that’s why you should do your best to project Jesus in everything you do and why it’s so important to be a part of a church that adheres to biblical principles. Other people are watching, and you never want to be the reason someone becomes stunted or stumbles.

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. 1 Corinthians 3:7-9

February 28, 2023

Back in November, we had a bull calf born on our property. We longed to pet him. His mother was friendly and allowed us to pet her, but her baby was skittish and would never let us get close; he had not grown to trust us like his mother. The cattleman began touching him as he fed them, and he is gradually losing his fear of humans. Yesterday was the first time he stood and let Richard touch him; he even tried to chew on his hand. I didn’t want to scare him off, so I stayed in the car, watching and admiring his newly formed faith in humans. As I thought about it, I could imagine how thrilled God must be when a child of the world begins coming in closer and starts to trust him. When, after months or even years of trying to draw them in, they commit to fully trusting him with their life and accept Jesus as their savior. No wonder there is rejoicing in Heaven over a new convert; God is thrilled over their faith in him,  just like we were thrilled that the calf now allows us to pet him.

This portion of scripture is referring to Abraham:

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, Romans:4:20-24

February 27, 2023

We go to a small church in Brandon. It's bigger than some but smaller than the mega-churches. We are not members yet, though; for all intents and purposes, we are members of the Church as a whole because of our salvation. It's closer to home than any other that we've attended, which makes it convenient, and because it is in our neighborhood, it serves the people around us, which is good. The teaching is on target, and I like that it is expository and Holy Spirit-led and not canned. Some preachers choose to teach topically and never get into the meat and potatoes of the scriptures, so if someone doesn't study the scriptures on their own, they don't get the complete picture. Even though the church is for the congregating of the saints and we should like everyone, that's not always the case. However, Paul reminds us that it's about God, and we know that, but I find it funny that he had to remind the Romans of that truth. It shows that they weren't much different than us, making Paul's message relatable. 

What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” Romans 3:3-4