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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 Future Of Artificial Intelligence

What do you think is the future of AI? In my opinion, artificial intelligence mimics human conversations and processes a large amount of information, but it lacks consciousness, a soul, free will, and morals. It cannot answer your prayers, offer relationships with God, or experience divine grace.

God gave human beings the capacity to create; because artificial intelligence is trained by humans, it can create human biases, blind spots, and bad tendencies. I believe there is a risk of idolatry; artificial intelligence causes temptation to treat algorithms as all-knowing authorities and substitutes for spiritual intimacy. We must use it with wisdom. It will be a test of discernment. Artificial intelligence is fictional and offers false companionship. God calls us to human patience and critical thinking. I believe this will lead to our destruction in the end. Artificial intelligence is a define as a framework, and it depends on keeping machines in their proper place. They are machines managed by human people and can be treated as idols or moral guides. Artificial intelligence leads to further risk in an already fallen world.

The First Decision Of The Day

Before we answer an email, check our phones, or speak to anyone else, the very first choice, we make set the tone for either a distracted, self-directed or shielded, Spirit led day.

Here’s a prayer to keep your day in alignment.

“Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust, cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You” Psalm 143:8

We often think that discerning God’s will is only for a major crossroads, like changing jobs, moving cities, or making major purchases. But God‘s unrevealed specific plan for our day is unlocked by our obedience to His will the moment we open our eyes.

Max Lucado once wrote a classic dedication that before the day demands anything of us, the choice is ours to select our attitude. When we wake up, we are faced with our first decision of the day: will we carried the weight of the day on our own shoulders, or will we set the throne of our heart in order?

Surrendering our morning is not a rigid routine we must follow, it’s an act of spiritual warfare. David did not ask God for directions at the end of a long defeated evening. He lifted his soul to God before the world could lift anything against him.

By deciding first to give our mind, our schedule, and our worries to God, we declare that the One who created the day is the only One qualified to lead it.

A World That Would Be The Absolute Worst To Live In

Which book’s world would be the absolute worst to live in? One book that would be an absolute nightmare. It’s part of the series “Left Behind,” written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It dramatizes a disastrous view of the New Testament book of Revelation.

It talks about when Jesus comes back and true Christian believers vanish instantly into heaven. I would not want to live through the day of chaos, realizing that driverless cars will crash, airplanes will fall from the sky with empty clothes left in their seats, and the global panic that erupts. I would not like to live to see this nightmare come true. For those left on Earth, life, quickly descends into totalitarian control, and supernatural disasters. It would be the rise of a one-world government.

Free From Condemnation, Secure In His Love

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” -Romans 8:1-2

If you have ever carried the heavy burden of past mistakes, whispered failures, or the nagging fear that you are not good enough for God, Romans 8 is written for your heart.

Romans 8 is said to be one of the most powerful chapters in the entire Bible. It marks a massive shift in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul honestly wrestled with human weakness and the frustrating tug-of-war of the flesh. Then comes Romans 8:1 with a breathtaking, life changing declaration: No condemnation.

No condemnation because our past does not define our present. When you belong to Jesus, God does not keep a ledger of our shortcomings. The verdict has already been handed down at the cross. Because of what Jesus did we are pardoned, cleansed, and set free.

Life in the Spirit replaces the struggle of our flesh. We are not white-knuckle our way through a godly life on our own strength. Because of the Holy Spirit we can have real power, daily guidance, peace of mind and the strength to turn away from our sins.

Even in our suffering is comforting to know God is at work. Romans 8 reminds us that we live in a broken world, and pain is real. Yet God promises to weave all things together for the ultimate good of conforming us to the image of His Son. When we don’t even know how to pray or what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weaknesses.

The last verses in Romans 8 gives us an unshakable promise. Nothing in height, depth, life, death, or all of creation can pry us loose from the grip of God’s love. Paul puts it this way, in Romans 8:36-39,

“Even as it is written, ‘For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love with is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Once Saved Always Saved

The belief that “once saved always saved” is known as an unconditional perseverance of believers. People who believe this believe that once a person genuinely accepts Jesus as their savior, their eternal salvation is irreversibly secured, regardless of their lifestyle, choices or potential apostasy.

But, the Bible tells us that salvation is framed not as a one time unconditional insurance policy. It’s a conditional covenant that requires ongoing faith, obedience, and perseverance.

There are many scriptural warnings, metaphors, and explicit commands the tell us otherwise.

If it were impossible for a believer to forfeit their salvation, the New Testament’s frequent and severe warnings against falling away would be redundant. The writers of Scripture routinely cautioned believers about the danger of spiritual shipwreck.

Hebrews 6:4-6 tells us, “For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the power of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put Him to shame.”

Hebrews 10:26-27 tells us, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.”

Jesus consistently used metaphors that flatly contradict the concept of unconditional security.

While the Bible offers profound assurance to the trusting, obedient believer affirming that no external force can pluck us out of God’s hand, it never strips humanity of free will.

The “once saved always saved” lie creates a false sense of security by ignoring the foundation biblical truth that saving faith is an enduring faith. Salvation is initiated by grace., sustained by grace, but walked out through a lifetime of faithfulness. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:12, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

The crown of life is promised to those who remain faithful until death. Not believing that if we professed Jesus as our Savior and then believing we can live in sin.

Underrated Movie

What’s the most underrated movie you’ve ever watched? One underrated movie I think is “Do You Believe,” made by Pure Flix. It was released in 2005 as a Christian-themed drama and is underrated because of its high production values and emotional message.

Things I Never Thought I Could Do

What’s something you’ve done that you never thought you could? One thing I never thought I could do was change my perspective on life. Our brains are wired for survival, efficiency, and familiarity rather than personal transformation. Once I decided to change my life, it took building and maintaining new neural connections. And that requires significant time, sustained focus and mental energy. It requires living in discomfort, which feels awkward, frustrating, and exhausting because of brain lacks an established track for it. The emotional abuse I suffered as a child, kept my brain, stuck in survival mode and hyperactive, while weakening my brain was responsible for logical and emotional control that I never thought I could get myself of.

Lessons From The Women In The Bible

Women in the Bible, often endured lessons of faith, resilience, courage, and grace through both their triumphs and their trials.

Esther:

With courage and timing, she risked her life to speak up for her people, reminding us to use our position and voice to help others.

Ruth:

With loyalty and dedication, Ruth made a firm commitment to her family and chose to follow God so that loyalty and faith could rewrite a person’s future.

Hannah:

With persistent prayer and surrender and waiting Hannah pour her heart out to God in prayer and trusted Him with the outcome.

Mary (Mother of Jesus):

Mary was humble and obedient, even when facing a frightening, and uncertain path with social judgment. She surrendered completely ton God’s plan.

Hagar:

Hagar was seen by God in the middle of her mistreatment and loneliness; she discovered a God who seen her pain.

Deborah:

As a prophetess, Deborah showed courageous leadership. She demonstrated that true leadership relied on wisdom, obedience, and courage rather than titles.

Rehab:

Rehab show us the transformation of the past not dictating our destiny. We have choice to exercise faith and protect the spies integrated her into God’s story.

Mary Magdalene:

Mary showed us devotion after redemption. He was transformed from an outcast to a dedicated followers and modeled fierce loyalty to Jesus.

These women of the Bible offer powerful, timeless insights that remain some of the most heavily discussed and steady topics today when dealing with relationships, waiting, or leadership; these women provide crucial blueprints for navigating life.

Being Someone Else

If you could switch lives with a famous person for a week, who would it be and why? I don’t understand why anyone would want to be like someone else. Whether it would fill a deep psychological or social need for validation, status, or connection, or help them leave a mark on the world. In the end, we are who God made us to be. I think trying hard to be the best version of ourselves is always best.

Making A Way

We often stand at the edge of a major life transition, a financial hurdle, or a season of deep uncertainty. We often ask the question, “How am I going to get through this?”

When we look forward, all we will see is closed doors, roadblocks, or a thick fog that hides the next step. Our natural instinct is to panic, force a solution, or freeze in place.

However, the Bible gives us a radically different picture of how God works. He is not standing at the finish line waiting to see if we make it. He is walking ahead of us.

When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He did not hand them a map and wish them good luck. He went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When mountains stood in the way, He promised to level them. When the enemy pursued them, He fought on their behalf.

The same God who parted the waters and smooth out, the rine is already working in the details of our tomorrow’s.

What feels like a sudden obstacle or closed door is often God redirecting our steps toward a safer or better route.

Long before we stepped into a new career, or season, God is quietly shaping the character, patience, and strength. We will need once we get there. God never leaves us behind.

Sometimes we need to stop straining our eyes to look miles down a dark road and trust the One who is already standing at the end of it, and take the next step toward Him.

Managing Stress

How do you manage stress? Stress is a modern-day problem. The world may offer many ways to handle our stress. I chose a more excellent way. A way when the world is in chaos it doesn’t affect my life. I choose to trust God through everything, everything circumstance, every season.
By trusting God, eating healthy, exercising, and a little self-care, I can manage stress

It’s Not About You

People’s actions are a reflection of themselves -not of you. When someone disrespects you, ignore you, or disappoint you, it doesn’t define your worth. It speaks more about where they are in life, what they’re struggling with, and what they’ve been through.

Most of the time, people react from their own pain, fears, or confusion. You just happen to be standing in the path of whatever they are carrying.

Some words or actions can feel deeply personal. But the truth is, you’re just a side character and a story that was never really about you in the first place.

Taking things personally only takes away your peace. It makes you believe the voice that whispers, “Maybe they’re right. Maybe it is me.” But if you take a moment to step back and remind yourself. “This isn’t mine to carry” -that’s when the healing can begin. That’s when you stop internalizing noise that was never meant to define you.

We are responsible for our own world. And others are responsible for theirs.

It’s a quiet kind of freedom when we can finally drop the heavy burden of fixing everyone else. We are not the author of their choices, the keeper of their peace, or the salvage crew for the wrecks they build. Let them stumble, let them learn, and let them steer.

Your job is simpler and much harder to attend your own garden. Build a world that honors your values and let other people do the same with theirs.

Maybe it’s time to stop living inside of someone else’s head and realize we have our own universe to take care of.

It’s not about you. They are responsible for their own world, and you are responsible for yours.