Living in Florida, a state surrounded by water on three sides, makes it an easy target for hurricanes. So during October, 2016, Matthew came roaring through the Atlantic Ocean to Central Florida leaving devastation in its path. Amidst the destruction water was blown into the walls of my house, which resulted in mold. Later Hurricane Irene added to our problem and we were advised to vacate the house. As far as I knew my house was the only house in the housing addition which was damaged, and in my mind questioned why my house and no others. Was God punishing me? Maybe I ‘d been too proud of my house, but then I realized my house was …
Sickness
While living as an evacuee in a rehabilitation center after suffering three sieges of pneumonia, I was almost helpless: even must wear diapers, wear a container of oxygen, and endure physical therapy. However, rehabilitation was necessary if I was to regain my strength. For a woman with type A personality, who wants to be in control of all her circumstances, this was a humbling experience, but during my weakest moments the Holy Spirit gave me strength to endure it. Though in the hospital and unable to celebrate my one hundredth birthday, my son Doug brought my pretty birthday cake to the hospital and I ate a slice of cake before it was placed in the hospital refrigerator. …
Restricted
The apostle Paul who had known much suffering and hardships wrote: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And his suffering included: doing hard labor, imprisonments, countless beatings, five times receiving forty lashes by Jews, and spent a night and day adrift at sea. On frequent journeys he was in much danger from Gentiles; danger in the city and wilderness, danger at sea, and from false brothers, beaten with rods, stoned once, shipwrecked three times. He toiled through many sleepless nights, hungered and thirsted exposed to the cold weather. Paul had achieved much for his Lord, and he gave Him credit for all he had achieved. My life pales when compared with Paul’s achievements, but as Paul, I give God credit …
Sifted and Tried
Have you ever felt like nuggets of gold in sand being sifted in an effort to separate gold from grains of sand? Been in deep water up your chin and can’t swim? or Been in a boat with no paddle? During many recent months, sometimes I felt that helpless, but never threw in the proverbial towel and gave in to my circumstances. Though living as an evacuee during about two and one half years and living in several places, God was with me and though sometimes distressed, continued my writing ministry, which was good therapy. I confess to wondering why God was allowing my sifting, but believed that it was being used to prune branches …
Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
Paul did not understand the war being waged in his heart after his dramatic experience on the road to Damascus. He wrote: “For we know the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want., I agree with the law it is good. So it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh. For …
Victorious
After writing about Jesus appearing to others, Paul said He appeared to him, the least of His apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle because he persecuted the church of God. Then he wrote by the grace of God he became victorious. Do you feel like the least of God’s children? I do, but am thankful He loved me and allowed His Son to die on the old rugged cross to pay my sin debt. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son to die for my sins. So at salvation I became one of God’s adopted children. My husband and I …
Mary Mother of Jesus
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary…. And the angel said to her, ” You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will call his name Jesus,” Luke 1: 26-27 Since Mary was a virgin, she did not understand how this could be, but she was submissive to God’s will for her life. Though it was a special blessing to be selected from all women …
Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist
“In the days of Herod, there was a priest named Zechariah… and his wife was Elizabeth, Though they were righteous, they had no children.” Luke 1: 5-7 But God was aware of Elizabeth’s bareness, and promised her husband she would conceive during old age and bear a son. It was considered a reproch to be barren, and God honored the aged couple with a son, and he was named John. The next mention of John is in the wilderness preaching a message of repentance and baptizing those who responded to the message. Jesus knew all that John was doing and went to the …
Mary Magdalene
“Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.” Luke 8: 1-3 It is admirable that when men all except John, were forsaking Jesus, some women followed Him, and remained faithful. Evidently Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus cast seven demons, was one of His …
Mary and Martha
Scripture: Luke 10: 38-42 “…Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister named Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went to Jesus and asked if He didn’t care that her sister had left her alone to serve. But Jesus reminded her she was troubled and anxious unimportant things but Mary had chosen that which can not be taken away.” On another occasion before Jesus was crucified Mary anointed Jesus with some rather expensive ointment and was criticized by some saying it was a waste. …
Woman At The Well
Scripture: John 4: 3-10 “When Jesus left Judea and left for Galilee, He had to pass through Samaria, so He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field Jacob had given his son Joseph, and Jacob’s well was there. So being wearied from His journey, Jesus was sitting beside the well. and it was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water, and Jesus asked her for a drink. His disciples had gone into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of …
Rahab the Prostitute
“By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been circled during seven days. By faith Rahab, the prostitute, didn’t perish with those who were disobedient: because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” Hebrews 11: 29-31. We read that after forty years of war and conflict, Israel was ready to enter the promised land, but still much work remained to be done. They were entering new territory; many city-states were in the area, each was fortified with a …