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Like A Thief In The Night

One night a thief broke into a house he thought was abandoned. As he walked then the darkened house with a flashlight he heard a voice from the kitchen that said, “Jesus is watching you.’ He stopped and said, “who’s there?” There was no answer so he thought he must have imagined it. But after he took a few more steps, the voice said again, “Jesus is watching you.” He decided to walk toward the voice, just before he entered the kitchen, he heard it again, “Jesus is watching you.” He swung the flashlight up and saw a parrot talking in a cage. The parrot said, Jesus is watching you.” The their turned flipped on the kitchen light and said, “Why you’re just a dumb bird.” The he looked in the corner of the room and seen a huge Rottweiler couching. And the parrot said “Get him Jesus.”

You might think it’s strange that Jesus would compare Himself to a thief. Of course, Jesus isn’t identifying with the sin of stealing. But just a good thief (that’s a oxymoron).that tries to sneak in quickly and quietly and escape with His people. That’s an accurate description of how Jesus will rapture His church.

We should all be living as if Jesus was crucified yesterday; raised from the dead this morning, and is coming back this afternoon.

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-4 tells us, “But concerning the times and the seasons, you have no need that anything be written to you. For you yourselves know that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come to then, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.

We should know these 4 things

1. Jesus will return, But we don’t know the exact day.

Can you imagine a thief sending you a text or email saying, “Just wanted to know that I’m coming to rob your house tonight.” Of course not. Thief’s don’t announce when they’re coming. They sneak in and out.

When I was growing up my Dad used to do military funerals when a soldier or veteran would pass away. My father would keep all the guns in his closet. One night when no one was home the house was broken into and all the M16 rifles were stolen. He was very upset because they trusted him with these rifles. For a long time there would be someone home, or a neighbor would be watching the house.

Jesus told us to keep watch, because you don’t know on what day the Lord will come. We need to understand, if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and not let the house be broken into. So we must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you don’t expect him (Matthew 24:42-44),

There have been times throughout history when many people expected Jesus to return. We use the Gregorian calendar now, but when the Julian calendar turned from year 999 to the year 1000, people expected Jesus to come for a new millennium, the same was true in the year 2000. People were on their best behavior, In the year 1000 history says that worldly goods were sold and money was given to the poor. Prisoners were set free, and many traveled to Israel to wait for Jesus’s return,

In the second and third chapter of Revelation, Jesus gives messages to the 7 churches, which represent all churches of all time. When He wrote to the church at Philadelphia, He says, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I also will keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth” (Revelation3:10).

In Luke 17 Jesus compares His return to a couple of Old Testament events. “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the dat Noah entered the ark. Then the flood cane and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating, drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and suffer rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son Of Man is revealed (Luke 17:26-30).

Are You Ready?

The Mantle God Made For You

A spiritual mantle is God’s grace, calling, and operational empowerment tailored specifically for each person for our lives and purpose.

In the Bible, a mantle was often a metaphor for a cloak or robe. But it was more than clothing. It symbolized an assignment, anointing, and authority. When Elijah threw his cloak over Elisha, it marked the transition of a divine calling.

Today, God doesn’t hand out generic or mass produced assignments. He crafts a spiritual mantle specifically for us.

We do not choose our mantle: God ordains it. Our gifts, our sphere of influence, our unique challenges are designed by God to fit the work He prepared for each of us.

It is for service, not status. A mantle is never meant for self-consumption or pride; it is given so we can lift, heal, serve, and love others with the strength that God supplies.

It’s something we grow into. And carrying it requires patience and faithfulness in small things, and time spent in God’s presence to let our character match our calling.

Favorite Websites

What are your favorite websites?

There are two main websites I go to on a weekly basis. They are mandyinthemaking.com. It is a cooking website from a lady from South Carolina. If I’m looking to fix something new she is my go to. She also does YouTube and walk you through 2 news recipes a week.

My other favorite website is http://www.leewarren.com He is a neurosurgeon that shows ways to achieve healing, hope, and higher performance in every area of your life.

The Power Of A Renewed Mind

In a world obsessed with outward transformation God offers a deeper, lasting change of renewing our minds. In Romans. 12:2 Paul doesn’t just call for behavior modification. He pointed us to something far more powerful: inner transformation that begins with the way we think.

“Do not be conformed to this world, buy be transformed by renewing of your mind.”

Every action we take is preceded by a thought. Our mind shapes our decisions, our emotions, and our behaviors. I believe that’s why there are many scriptures that tell us the importance of it.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” -Proverbs 23:7

Satan understands this. He doesn’t need to control our lives; he needs to influence how we think. His first attack in the Garden of Eden was not physical, but mental. “Did God really say?”

He used the same tactic on Jesus in the wilderness. He twists words in an attempt to distort the truth. That’s why the renewing of our mind is not optional; it’s spiritual warfare.

Our renewal involves, replacing lies with truth, changing our perspective on worldviews to match God’s perspective, and allowing the Word of God to define our reality, not culture or emotions. to

Renewing our mind aligned out internal voice system with the mind of Christ Jesus. This is not a one time event, it’s a daily discipline.

The world wants to press us into a mold, to adopt its values, patterns, and mindset. Conformity is passive. Transformation on the other hand is intentional and Spirit-empowered.

I found it interesting that transformed is metamorphosis in Greek. It’s the same word used for Jesus’s transfiguration. Jesus revealed His true inner self to Peter, James and John. It’s the idea of becoming something completely different in nature. This isn’t behavior tweaking. It’s inner transformation.

We need our minds to be renewed, because we were born into broken thinking. Even after salvation, our mind care years of faulty, thinking shaped by, culture, trauma, upbringing, and sinful habits.

Salvation makes us new creations, but our mind must still be renewed to match our new identity in Christ Jesus.

A renewed mind needs to, fear driven decisions, addiction , comparison, pride, and false beliefs about God and ourselves.

But a renewed mind produces, peace, boldness, clarity, joy, and God honoring actions.

Matthew 22:37 tells us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.”

This is the first step to surrender, a renewed mind begins with acknowledging that our natural thoughts often opposes God’s. Romans 8:7 tells us, “Because the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.” we need to invite the Holy Spirit to lead our thought life.

In John 17:17 Jesus says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.”

God’s Word is the primary tool of transformation. It cleanses, corrects, and re-shapes how we think. Read it daily, meditate on it, memorize it, and speak it if you want to renew your mind.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you believe lies. For example:

“I’m not good enough.”
“God will never forgive me.”
“Nothing will ever change.”

Then find scriptures that declared the truth and choose to believe them.

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” -Psalm 139:14
“There is no condemnation for those in Christ (Jesus) – Romans 8:1
“With God, all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:25

What we allow into our mind shapes our thoughts. Social media, news, entertainment, conversations. Everything is feeding us something.

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Set boundaries. Choose godly, life, giving content.

Jesus overcame temptation by speaking God’s Word out loud. Our words have power. Declare God’s truth and let it become your reality.

Renewing our mind doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process. Just like years of wrong thinking don’t disappear in a day, neither does transformation happen without perseverance. Renewing our mind doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process. Just like years of wrong thinking don’t disappear in a day, neither does transformation happen without perseverance.

Galatians 6:9 tells us, “Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.”

Satan will try to make us quit. Thoughts won’t always change instantly. But if we stay consistent God’s Word will reshape our inner world.

Historical Events

What major historical events do you remember?

As a child, I remember the Watergate scandal. Which became synonymous with illicit activities conducted by President Nixon’s aides. Which included bugging political opponents, unauthorized investigations, and the misuse of government agencies for political purposes. Causing many to lose faith in government, and led to a campaign reform.

Apollo 13 was the goal of America landing on the moon but was aborted after an oxygen tank exploded during the flight.

I remember the anti-war protests during the ongoing Vietnam War, solely because my Father was a combat Veteran. So it was a big deal in my family. My father sacrificed many things during his service in the military. I always thought the President was commander in chief of the military. I never understood why the soldiers were targeted when President Johnson was the one who called these men and women to war.

Something Everyone Should Know

What’s something you believe everyone should know.

I believe everyone should know about Jesus because His message is one of unconditional love, forgiveness, and hope. In a world that often feels divided and uncertainty, Jesus shows us what true compassion looks like -loving others even when it’s difficult, forgiving those who hurt us, and finding peace that goes beyond our circumstances.

Jesus didn’t just teach about God’s love, He embodied it. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He offers every person a way to be reconciled with God, not because we are perfect, but because He is merciful. Knowing Jesus changes how we see ourselves, others, and the world. It bring purpose where there is confusion, healing where there is pain, and light where there is darkness.

That’s why I believe everyone should have the chance to know who Jesus is because His love truly transforms lives.

Be Swift To Listen And Slow To Speak

James 1:19-20 is a well known verse that teaches practical wisdom for communication and emotional control.

“So then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”

There are core instructions to this verse:

Be swift to listen : pay close attention and seek to understand others before reacting.
Be slow to speak: pause and think carefully about the impact of your words.
Be slow to become angry: control your temper instead of letting frustration take over

Human anger will always fail us. Personal or selfish wrath doesn’t bring about righteousness; and that’s not the kind of life God wants us to live.

Be As Little Children

What does it mean to be a kid at heart?

Childlike vs childish. To me being a kid at heart is being childlike.

To be childlike is dependence and trust in God. C.S. Lewis had an insightful way of saying expressing spiritual truths. He said “when I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” In other words, growing spiritually means becoming mature without losing the simplicity, trust, and joy of a child’s heart.

Being aChildlike means being dependent and trusting God. Having joy and wonder. Being obedient in love. Children obey not out of pride, but because of love and trust in their parent’s goodness – an attitude that should shape our relationship with God.

Being a child at heart means not pretending to know everything and depending naturally on love and guidance, forgiving easily and finding joy in the simple things.

Three Wishes

You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?

If I was allowed three wishes I would wish for a perfect house on at least 3 acres of land with water rights and sustainable energy sources.

I wish there were no such thing as the pains that comes with old age.

My last wish would be to own a vehicle that never wore out or broke down.

Religion Can’t Save You

Man made religion is powerless to save sinners. It cannot provide forgiveness of sin, peace with God, and eternal life. Yet so many people are enslaved to external religion.

External religion strives to achieve spirituality by means of human effort. Whether it’s church, attendance, good work, or spiritual discipline, these are all works performed by human effort. While not all these things are bad. However, if people do these things thinking that they can save them or somehow contribute to their salvation and spirituality, they are deceived. It is sad to see such trappings have infiltrated church since the first century.

In the New Testament, Paul against the Judaizers who insisted believers must adopt Mosaic law, keep Jewish customs, and undergo circumcision to be saved (Philippians 3:2). In his letter to the Colossians, he argued against the error that was cheating them out of their sufficiency in Jesus (Colossians 2:8).

“Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision” -Philippians 3:2

“Be careful that you don’t let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Messiah” -Colossians 2:8

And when Paul wrote to Timothy, he described those who add various teachings to the scripture as those who are devoted to “deceitful spirits and teaching of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

There are many more examples of scripture that can be provided concerning the warning against external religion. And we could examine church history as the example after example of this issue.

Paul had great passion and consistency when he warned against external religion. It is because it cannot save. Salvation he is by grace alone. And in Jesus alone, in our faith alone.

External religion is weak, helpless, and impotent. If anyone is going to receive forgiveness of their sin, a relationship and fellowship with God is the only way.

I don’t have anything against religion or church. But we need to ask ourselves: Is the one standing at the altar speaking the true Word of God? Or is it about rules and rituals?

If anyone is going to receive forgiveness for their sins and peace with God in eternal life, they must trust in Jesus alone.

A Family Member

Describe a family member.

Growing up with a Marine Corp father was sometimes tough. He was a picture of discipline, strength and loyalty but he had a soft spot for his girls

He was very structured and brought habits of military life, along with the values from a Hungarian of view of honesty, hard work ethic and respect. He led with love, discipline and integrity.

He said expected respect and responsibility for his kids. He didn’t like repeating himself, so if he told me to do something it had better be done right then and you were expected to do your best.

He wasn’t always the easiest man to read. Emotions did come naturally in words, the came in action.

He had a certain queue pride about him -in his service, in his family, and in the values he stood for. He was firm but fair -he excepted a lot, but he gave a lot.

He was a man who had seen what it meant to serve something bigger than himself and he brought the sense of purpose into his home. He raised his children to be strong, respectful, and ready to face the world.

When I was younger I was afraid of him, but as I got older he became the rock I could go to if I needed anything. I knew “daddy” would fix it.

There Is No Easy Route To Victory

There is no easy route to victory in life, because genuine spiritual growth and character development are the path to the heavenly kingdom, which requires walking a narrow, disciplined path through trials rather than avoiding them.

Jesus told us in Matthew 2:13-14 to, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.”

We fight spiritual battles from the foundation of what Jesus has already accomplished. We must fight from victory, not for it. Rather than trying to force our own deliverance through human shortcuts.

Scripture teaches us the purpose of trials and battles. There is no victory without a battle. The easy life means circumventing spiritual maturity. Trials and battles, deepen trust, build endurance, and prepare believers to overcome. The easy life means circumventing spiritual maturity.

True victory is using God‘s weapons, not our human instincts. This comes through humility, prayer, and obedience. There are four steps to live this way

Engage in battles God has called us to, and avoid those he hasn’t.
Fight our battles God‘s way
Trust and rely on the armor God has given us through Jesus
Recognize and embrace God‘s version of victory

We are called to rely on God’s strength rather than retaliating, taking it easy, or making self-made routes.

Everyone Wants A Savior

Many people want Jesus as a savior for forgiveness and eternal life, but if few want Him as Lord who requires daily surrender and obedience.

A savior rescues people from Sin, pain, and judgment. It focuses on receiving grace, peace, and a promise of heaven. But a Lord rules over daily life, choices, habits, finances, and time. It requires giving up personal control to follow God‘s will.

In Luke 9:23 Jesus states, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.”

In Luke 6:46 Jesus asks why people call Him “Lord, Lord, yet do not do what He says.”

It is a beautiful thing to welcome Jesus at our savior. When we realize the weight of our sins, we gladly reach out for His hand to rescue us from the dark pit, we eagerly accept the gift of eternal life and the promise of heaven. We praise Him as Savior who washes us clean.

When we confess that Jesus is Lord, we are acknowledging that He is the supreme authority, the creator, and the ruler of all things. True faith doesn’t allow us a slice of Jesus in half worshiping Him on Sunday while ignoring Him as Lord on Monday. He is not merely a celestial insurance policy. He must be the Master of our daily reality.

Billy Graham once said, proclaiming Jesus as Lord means, “ giving Him a key that fits every single door, every lock and every room of your life.” This includes the messy things we try to hide from the world.

Too often, we hand Jesus the key to our “church room” or our “crisis room,” but we lock the doors to our finances, our career ambitions, our relationships, and our secret habits. True discipleship means unlocking every single door, and saying, “Jesus, this is all Yours. Have Your way in my life.”

Surrendering to His Lordship doesn’t mean serving a harsh, demanding, dictator. Jesus is a self sacrificing, deep kind King who serves as our ultimate treasure. When we bow to His authority, we aren’t losing our freedom, we are placing our lives into the hands of the One who loves us perfectly.