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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?

Listening Beyond Your Feelings

On Highway going to Warner Ridge -Utah

“Feeling: the messengers of Satan”

My feelings have discouraged me many times, they’ve tried to deceive me, they’ve tried to rob me of my peace and joy in Jesus, and they have harassed and accused me of every little thing possible. But, I have come to recognize all unsettling feeling is a messenger of Satan, intented to bring me down into despair and fear.

I can be going along with my day, happily humming my favorite worship song, talking with the Lord. Suddenly unexpectedly I become overwhelmed with troubling feelings that flood my mind and Spirit. It seems as though the wicked principalities and powers of hell choose to fill me with unwanted negative feelings when I lease expect them.

Sometimes the enemy comes in like a flood, trying to drown me in depressing feelings and negative thoughts. Sometimes, I have a tendency to blame myself, but then I remember what David said in Psalm 42:11 which reads, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall praise Him, my salvation and my God.”

Satan likes to foster fear, doubt, bitterness, and rebellion against God. He likes to create a false reality and encourage people to disregard any good commitment and doubt that will bring God’s faithfulness and act on lies rather than truth.

He often targets people who are already hurting, angry, living in fear or facing adversity. He likes to drive disobedience, to push us to abandon commitments to God or others.

2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that, “The Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self discipline. This verse should encourage us that God provides strength to overcome fear, enabling us to act with courage, love, and a sound, controlled mind rather than cowardice or anxiety.

Satan uses intense emotions such as fear, insecurity, offense, and overwhelming feelings to derail our purpose and disrupt our peace. By keeping us focused on volatile emotions rather than faith and logic. This approach aims to fuel confusion, foster disobedience, and trigger sinful reactions that always draws us away from God’s plan for our lives.

There are some key emotional tactics Satan uses to destroy our lives and keeps us from going to heaven.

  • Relationship pitfalls

Exploiting loneliness or impatience, leading to poor choices like rushing into relationships, settling for less, or falling into unbalanced unhealthy attachments.

  • Mental and emotional distortions

Satan can magnify fear, encourage insecurity, and create deep discouragement that paralyzes any spiritual progress.

  • Misleading desires

Using intense desires to push us toward extremes, often taking good things and twisting it into sinful excess.

When we become aware of Satan’s tactics it can change our lives in profound ways.

There are ways to counter Satan’s tactics that I think everyone should be aware of.

  • Stand in faith

Rise above fleeting emotions, and do not allow your feelings to dominate your actions.

  • Recognize the attack

Identify moments of irrational, fear or overwhelming negativity because potential spiritual manipulation are not just feelings.

  • Spiritual guidance

Rely on the promise of the sound mind, love, and power rather than being led by unstable emotional states.

I was listening with a director of psychiatry and a follower of God a few weeks ago and he said that most emotional disorders such as mood or anxiety disorders that involve persistent extreme emotional states that impair daily functioning are based on fear, and shame. I find it interesting that satan can use feelings (or emotions) in those who are suffering from these disorders.

Nervousness

Daily writing prompt
What makes you nervous?
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I used to be a very nervous person, so nervous that I would bite my nails. Then I learned that I could trust God in every situation. I chose to change the situations I could control and let God do the rest. Through hard work, I taught myself not to dwell on negativity or ruminate on the past or the future.

Standing Firm In Faith

Desert Storm Clouds

Standing firm through faith is one of those things we know we should do in our heads, but the practical application can be much more difficult. We want to do what right, but we keep finding ourselves wandering into sin like Paul in Romans 7:15,

“For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do, but what I hate, that I do.”

Spiritual perseverance can be rare commodity.

Thankfully, God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He just expects us to grow and to mature in our relationship with Him. And part of that process involves learning how to stand firm in faith.

It’s easy to wander out of a relationship with God, yet it’s impossible to wander into one. Standing firm in faith means being intentional in our walk with the Lord. It involves making certain practices a regular part of our lives. It requires spiritual discipline, and a renewed mindset that puts our focus squarely on God and His plans for our lives.

There are some powerful tools we must have in our toolbox to help us stand firm in faith. These tools include:

  • Spending time with God

This is cultivated through intentional, daily habits like prayer. Bible study, and meditation on God’s Word. These serve as tools to deepen the relationship.

A good acronym to remember is the S.O.A.P method

  • S – Scripture
  • O – Observation
  • A – Application
  • P – Prayer

Prayer and Bible study help us stay connected to God. Sharing our hearts with Him and hearing what He says in His word.

  • Resist temptation

When we learn to stand firm in faith, we will undoubtably face challenges. We will be tempted to fight battles we cannot fight alone, that’s why we need God.

As much as we may want to, we should avoid the urge to take on more than we can handle. Just as a recovering alcoholic shouldn’t go to the bar with his buddies thinking he can not have a drink. We need to evaluate every situation and make the best decision according to God’s will. We cannot put ourselves in bad situations and expect God to protect us. Matthew 4:7 says “You shall not test the Lord your God.”

When we give into those urges we can easily fall into the very sin we want to avoid. That’s the time to slow down and evaluate the situation. Ask God to help and act with the wisdom that He can provide. His word promises that He will help us in every temptation.

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall. No temptation had taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” -1 Corinthians 10:12-13

  • Expect persecution

Throughout the book of 1st Peter, he spoke of the principles of standing firm in faith included expecting persecution and suffering. Explaining that they were a part of following Jesus and standing firm in faith. Expecting hard things and knowing we need to lean into those storms for God’s glory (1 Peter 1:3-9, 3:13-22, 4:12-19).

I think this is something most churches don’t teach. That we need to embrace the struggle, know I g that it will help us stand firm in this life to experience God’s affirmation in the next.

For myself, I would rather know everything going on in any situation, so that I know what to expect at any given time. And I am definitely not one who likes people “sugar coating” the truth.

  • Build a team

While we learn to stand firm in our faith, it is important to build a team around us that will help us stay grounded. People (at least in my town) say “I don’t need to go to church.” I think that’s one of Satan’s lies he tells people to get people out of the will of God. Church isn’t about “putting up with people” it’s about spiritual protection, accountability, and being part of a unified body rather than being isolated. If there’s a reason going to church isn’t possible, it’s important to get involved with a Bible study or prayer meeting. Being part of a “church flock” keeps us protected from spiritual dangers.

  • Use your spiritual gifts

God has given us spiritual gifts to help us to stand firm in faith. If you don’t know what yours are there are plenty of free tests online that can give you insight. Here are a few good ones:

  • Churchgrowth.org
  • Spiritualgifttest.com

Spiritual gifts allow us to serve others and grow in our own walks with God. As we learn our spiritual gifts for His glory, it will become easier to stand firm.

Through the process of learning to stand firm in faith, keep your eyes on Jesus, because eternity can’t be underestimated.

It’s important to cultivate a relationship with Jesus, because faith means nothing if we don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Unwinding After A Hard Day

Daily writing prompt
How do you unwind after a demanding day?
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After a demanding day, I usually take a long hot shower, to relax and sometimes head to the backyard to sit and listen to nature with a glass of wine and enjoy nature.

Using Social Media

Daily writing prompt
How do you use social media?
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I use social media to stay connected to family. I have a sister, with whom I stay connected through pictures, and occasional messages. The truth is we haven’t been very close, because of our childhood traumas.

The Law of Roots and Fruits

Laguna Beach

There’s an old analogy about the relationship between roots and fruits of any tree. Any tree that hopes to produce abundant, delicious fruit must have a strong root system to nourish that tree. If the root system is too shallow or too weak the tree will not bear the fruit.

As the analogy goes, the same is true for people. If we are to bear worthy fruit in our lives we must establish a root system that nourishes us in a way that aligns with our expectations of production.

Roots give strength, stability, and sustenance. If the tree is going to grow high, the roots have to grow deep. Roots need to supply sustenance to feed the tree’s growth and production. But the higher it grows the more exposed it becomes to threats.

Roots need to be strong and stable for when the tree experiences storms and floods that threaten to tear it up and knock it down.

Our roots play the same role in life. Our growth and production will flow from the source that nourishes us.

One thing I have seen in life is that many people never received good roots growing up, including me. Having a shallow or weak root system growing up, requires us to find another root system as adults if we want to live healthy lives.

The strength and stability of our roots decide whether the adversity and challenges of life will tear us up or knock us down or whether we endure them with resilience and determination.

The true strength of a tree is not visible above ground. What we see is a product of its true strength. The strength of its roots.

The true strength of a person is not visible or audible. What we see and experience is a product of a person’s true strength. The strength of their roots.

Things That Come To Mind

Daily writing prompt
Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.
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For years my body has had its internal clock set on waking up between 3 and 4 AM, no matter what time I turn in for the night. I used to fight it. I even went to the doctor for sleeping pills, but it made no difference. Finally, I decided to just accept the fact that this is how I am.

Billy Graham associated waking up in the early hours as a divine invitation to prayer, spiritual reflection, and for strengthening one’s relationship with God. And that is was the “quiet hours” seen as time free from daily distractions, allowing for deeper communion, intercession for others, and hearing God’s voice.

As the world sleeps, the mind is quiet, offering a unique opportunity to focus on God without the noises of the day.

Every Outburst Has a Price

Laguna Beach -California (sent to me by my son)

There is something that takes a hold of every one’s lives at sometime in life. Some experiences are worse than others -it’s anger.

Anger itself isn’t the problem. It’s the natural emotional response that often signals something feels unfair, threatening, or wrong. Anger in a sense gives one power -it can energize us, sharpen our focus, and push us to act.

But it also takes away power when it goes unchecked. It can hijack our decisions, and cause reactions we wouldn’t choose when we are calm.

It can narrow out thinking, and make everything feel more extreme or personal. It can damage relationships or opportunities that we actually care about.

When we have unmanaged anger it comes as a cost. It gives control to the emotion instead of to us.

Let’s balance it out this way:

  • Feel the anger > that’s honest
  • Understand it > what triggered it, what’s it pointing to
  • Choose your response > that’s where our power stays intact

Some people say anger is sinful, but according to Ephesians 4:26-27, feeling anger is not inherently sinful, it’s the consequences of that anger us that are sinful.

“Be angry, and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil“ -Ephesians 4:26-27

Anger allows for negative spiritual influence and steals our personal peace.

Persistent anger almost always provides a place for Satan to gain influence in our lives.

When we are angry There is no peace, because of frustration, and negativity opens doors for Satan to steal our peace.

There is also unresolved anger often leads to sin, such as vengeful thoughts or destructive actions, which can hurt relationships, marriages, and sometimes even churches.

So many times we hang on to anger too long, it can often feel like we have a huge weight on us. But rather than feeding our anger, James 1:19-20 urges us, “To be quick to hear and slow to speak.” maintaining control over our emotions to avoid giving any enemy an opening to cause destruction in our lives.

“Anger acts like a “bloodsucker“ or a parasite by draining our energy, joy, and health while feeding on resentment.”

A Stranger’s Kindness

Daily writing prompt
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
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It happened one day at the beginning of the holidays in 2025. I was picking up a few groceries I had bought about $15 worth of groceries when a middle-aged man in front of me paid for them. I wasn’t expecting anyone to do a “pay it forward” on me. In true fashion, I paid for the lady’s groceries behind me.

The Decision

Daily writing prompt
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
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There was a decision that I made that changed my life forever. A decision that helped me to stop living in the past and start living in the present. One small decision and that decision was to change. Once I decided to change how I was living major things began to take place.
That change was a pivotal, single moment that acted as the catalyst, that changed my life through consistent, small actions. It involved recognizing that my current path was no longer working.

A Vessel Of Honor

“Now In a large house, there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel on honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work” -2 Timothy 2:20-21

Of all the verses that explain becoming honorable, this verse summarizes it best. Paul tells us that if we desire to serve God, we must cleanse ourselves from everything dishonourable in our lives. It is then that we will be honorable vessels, set apart and holy, ready to be useful for God’s call on our lives. There are no shortcuts for this.

The world and sadly churches today have made many to believe it’s okay, to be half-hearted for God. It’s okay to be happy with the “average.” But, God is so much bigger than average. He wants us to live for Him. And if we become a vessel of honor He can use us for extraordinary purposes.

He sent His Son to die for our sins and reconcile us to God. But I think few realize that when Jesus died He wasn’t just killed, He was slaughtered for us.

We are called to pursue holiness. And that requires being passionate, aggressive, intentional, and eager to honor Him above all else. It requires allowing God to shape us like clay and yielding to His will rather than resisting His molding process. We need to be like pliable clay not silly putty.