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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?

How Do You Express Your Gratitude -Daily Prompt

How do you express your gratitude?

Society has made it normal to express gratitude by spending money on thank you gifts. We need to get back to the simple things.

I usually send a thank you note, or card that costs under a dollar. Or if I have extra of something like fruits or vegetables I will give someone this, and say thank you.

It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to show gratitude. We need to get back to that mentality.

Run Towards The Roaring

The roar is supposed to scare the prey into running away. What the prey doesn’t know is it the lionesses have strategically place them selves or attack.

What the prey doesn’t know is that it’s the females lionesses not the males that are actually the hunters. The male lions are inherently too slow and lazy not unlike the human species. While the lion roars and makes the scene to scare the prey away the lionesses are in wait.

Scripture tells us that our enemy Satan Crowell around like a roaring lion, seeking whom it could desire. The reality is if you are a Christian, you are not in danger of being devoured by Satan. He has no claim over your life. Christians are a new creation, and no longer a slave to the curse of sin and death. But what Satan does if he tries to scare you into being devoured by pain and fear. In fact his intention is to steal, kill, and destroy you. He wants to steal your joy, kill your help, and destroy the purposes God has for your life.

What people often do when they encounter a trial, aIt knocked the breath out of us but it had like yours tragedy, or a painful experience is they try to run away from it. Pain is terrifying and messy. It sneaks up on us and can cripple us in an instant. It knocks the breath out of us but it can’t kill us. Most people are fearful of stepping into the pain, and letting your heart feel the full weight of it, but if we work through it and give it over to the Lord. In reality it will make us stronger. No longer feeling exposed and vulnerable. And we can actually come to a place of healing. We as humans car to box up our pain. Our first reaction is running from it, because we don’t want to hurt. But when we try to box it up, it booby fax us and we will feel more ferocity.

Instead of running away from the pain, decide to run toward it. Embrace it deal with it head on. Once you face something fears will reside and the pain goes away. We get stronger instead of weaker.

Doing opposite of what you feel like doing give you strength. Initially when you run towards the roar it’s excruciating, but eventually it’s healing.

Life has a funny way of getting us to deal with trials and tribulations. We must run around the mountain many times as we have to until we get it right. We can’t selectively numb our heart that feels pain and still be attuned be attuned to pleasure. We either numb it all and don’t feel anything at all, or feel the pain and feel the pleasure.

I have this nasty habit of either all at once, or nothing at all. I can choose either to feel all the pain and feel pleasures too, or numb the pain and numb the pleasures too. In order to feel the joy of dancing on the other side you must be willing to step into the sting of mourning.

So run towards the roar and start healing. You won’t regret it.

Dealing With Negative Thoughts

We all have negative thoughts and emotions. It’s just a part of life. But, God gave us ways to deal with them. I remember the quote that says “For as we think in our heart, so we are.”
The way I deal with negative thoughts is replace it with a promise of God. For example if our thought is “I can’t do this” replace the thought with “You can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.” found in Philippians 4:13.

I believe we can never end anything negative without replacing it with something positive.

Here are a few common negative thoughts and a promise God gave to counteract them:

Destruction of the Earth by God

The Petrified Forest – Arizona

We are surrounded by fires where I live. Never before has our local news sent out an air alert, for everyone to stay inside and not use their air conditioning. Last night as I sat here praying for the firefighters and first responders something came to me. God said the earth would be destroyed by fire. So, naturally I began a deep drive on information about this.

This is what I discovered:

Three destructions of the earth are described in the Bible, one has already passed, and two are yet to come.

The first destruction came when the flood covered the earth in the days of Noah, sparing only eight righteous people. In one of the best-known promises in Genesis, signified by the rainbow. God promised Noah that He would never again destroy the earth by a flood.

There is a prediction that comes in 2 Peter 3:4-14:

Revelation 20:7-10 talk about the final destruction of Satan, when the heaven and earth will by polluted by the rebellion of Satan. In the words of the Lord, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” Matthew 24:35. This will be fulfilled when the prophecy of Revelation, is completed.

Revelation 21:1 tells us John saw, “A new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

The destruction of heaven:

But, why will destroy the heavens? The answer is simple enough, because the atmospheric heavens are filled with evil. Keep in mind that there are three heavens. The atmospheric heaven around the Earth, the stellar heaven, which contains the great galaxies that we view every night, and the third heaven, known as the throne of God.

God will destroy the atmospheric heavens and the stellar heavens where Satan lives. Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” But He will not destroy His throne that is in the third heaven.

God’s people, those who chose to believe that Jesus is His Son who was resurrected the rose again. Those who chose to follow the Law of God over the Laws of man. Those are the people who will inhabit the new eternal earth. God has a special love for these people. That love will have all eternity express itself upon His obedient people.

To try follows of Jesus, heaven is not just a place where all things are new, but also a place where they can enjoy unbroken fellowship with God.

The Bible’s Diagnosis For Anxiety

Fires make for beautiful sunrises

They say over 40 million adults in the U.S. live with anxiety. The world love to make diagnosis’s and prescribe medication and extensive therapies that cost millions of dollars.

But, God diagnosed anxiety over 2000 years ago. Did you know that the literal definition of anxiety in the Greek is a divided mind?

Therefore, we have to make a decision to make. Where we will focus our mind.

I suffered from anxiety for years, was on a cocktail of medicine to help, The medicine would almost put in a zombie state. I didn’t care about anything or anyone.

We I chose to follow God to my surprise my anxiety turned into tranquility.

I think if someone has anxiety we have two choices.

  • Choice one: Focus on our problems. The situations and circumstances in our lives that shuffle in confusion and disorder. Fury and pain.
  • Choice two: Focus on God. Fix your eyes on heaven. View the world for what it is -our temporary home. One that exists with smoldering ashes. But from which eternal beauty abounds.

The first choice produces anxiety.

The second choice peace.

Scripture teaches us to set our mind on the things above. Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.”

Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is good well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

And Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to, “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Messiah Yeshua.”

Remember that we are what we think. Feelings follow facts.

Philippians 4:8 tells us to, “Set your minds on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy.” Do this things and see if God’s peace -not anxiety fills your heart.

What Do I Love Now That I Hated When I Was Younger

Something I love now that I hated when I was younger was my father Al way listening to Paul Harvey during while he was eating lunch. As a child I never understood why someone would listen to someone talk for 30 minutes. I was happy when I heard Paul Harvey said, “And now you know the rest of the story.”

Have You Ever Had Surgery -Daily Prompt

Have you ever had surgery? What for?

I have had many surgeries.

2 C-Sections

Ankle repair

Cancerous tumor removed

Shoulder repair, bicep tendon and rotator cuff

Back surgery

Cyst removal on my carotid artery.

Knee replacement

I think the two scariest ones, were the cancer and the cyst on my carotid artery they thought was a tumor. One nick and I was a goner. By the grace of God it was a cyst the drained completely and they didn’t have to touch it.

God has been protecting me all my life, that’s why I will never stop being a faithful servant.

What’s A Time You Followed Your Gut And It Was Exactly Right

Our gut or intuition helps us make decisions and solve problems that our conscious minds and responding skills cannot adequately handle. Intuition is an instinct, deeply rooted and an Integral part of who we are.

My intuition has been right more often than not. So, I have learned to trust my intuition because when I don’t, it usually gets me into a mess I don’t want to deal with.

Remember Who You Are

Throughout scripture, God reminds us of our true identity. Who we are and who’s we are. It is important to hide the Word of God in our hearts, so when the lying whispers of Satan attacks, we can refute them with the truth.

Remember who you are because worldly identity changes, but God’s kingdom never changes.

For those days when I need an encouraging reminder, I have highlighted some Bible verses that affirm our identity.

If you have embraced Jesus and turned from your sins, your true identity is in Him. Believe what God says and walk in faith. Make a habit of memorizing and speaking out loud these verses every time discouragement comes your way. This will help you remember your relationship with Jesus and the real purpose of serving Him here on earth.

Be Ready Stay Safe And Steady

There is a story that I heard years ago about a farmer who needed help on his property. A man applied for the job and when the farmer asked, “What are your qualifications?” the man answered:

“I can sleep through a storm.”

Understandably, the farmer was confused. He probably thought, “I’m not hiring you to sleep, buddy.” But hired him anyway, thinking he could use him, and teach him a few things.

One night, a heavy storm swept through the valley. The farmer woke up in a panic and rushed to find the new worker – and found him fast asleep. The farmer and his wife started checking the farm themselves, worried that everything might be ruined.

But as the walked around, they realized everything was already taken care of:

  • The shutters were fastened
  • The logs were stacked by the fireplace
  • The barns were locked
  • The tractor was put away
  • The wheat was covered
  • The animals were calm, fed, and safe

That’s when the farmer understood. The man could sleep through the storm – because he was prepared.

When we prepare, we can rest easier

We live in a world where storms -both literal and figurative are guaranteed. Emergencies, heartbreaks, financial hits, personal struggles, unexpected loss… life has a way of surprising us.

But if we are living prepared, those surprises don’t have to wreck us.

Preparation isn’t just about food in the pantry or gas in a generator. It’s about being mentally, spiritually, and practically ready. So when life gets hard, we’re not scrambling.

That’s exactly what God wants for each of us.

Proverbs 6:6-8 says, “Go to the ant, O sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, no overseer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”

Here are a few ways to prepare:

  • Build a steady prayer life. Don’t pray just when things go wrong, pray everyday. A regular prayer life that’s consistent makes peace, a regular visitor in our minds. When chaos shows up, our first instinct will be to stay calm and not panic.
  • Keep Things in order. whether it’s finances, repairs on the house, relationships, or health, maintaining responsibilities keep small issues from becoming a big crisis.
  • Have a support system in place. Life feels heavier when we’re trying to carry things alone. Invest in relationships, whether family, friends, church, or neighbors -so when the storms come we can have people checking up on us.
  • Know the Bible. God’s truth won’t magically pop into our heads when we never read it. But when it’s already in our hearts, it comes back when we need it most.

Peace comes from preparation.

Imagine if that farmer had hired someone that was lazy or unprepared. The storm might have destroyed everything. Instead, it didn’t even wake the farmhand, because he had already done the work before the storm came.

That’s real peace. It’s not about pretended life is always sunny. It’s about knowing that when it rains -or pours – we’ve already secured what matters.

Spiritually speaking, this means abiding in Christ Jesus, practicing wisdom, and living responsibly. It’s less about trying to control every outcome and more about doing what we can, with what we have, right now.

Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

That’s the kind of peace that lets us sleep through any storm.

Storms will come, but if we prepare in advance, we can face them without fear.

Peace isn’t just a feeling. It’s a byproduct of preparation.

Something That Seems Ridiculous Now That Happened Growing Up

When I was a child in the 70’s at school there was something called the Mcgruff crime dog. He would come tell us to “take a bite out of crime.” To keep our doors locked, and stay off drugs. I always thought it was ridiculous that they were come to school to take our fingerprints, and give us papers to take home.
The ploy was to take our fingerprints to keep in their files so if something “bad’ happened to us we would be able to be identified. But few failed to recognize the police had our fingerprints if we committed a crime.

I thought this was ridiculous because the generation I lived through was what I called the latchkey generation. We were expected to come home, lock the door, do our homework, and sometimes feed our siblings, all before our parents got home, with my mother being a stay-at-home parent. I didn’t go home. I stayed gone as long as possible to avoid her. At night, I would come home, get whatever was in the refrigerator to eat cold, and sneak off to bed.

Most kids were expected to do everything this program taught. It was a waste of funds and time. It failed, as you can imagine. It except allowed the police to get our fingerprints.