Category Archives: Five Minute Friday

Kentucky’s 101st Airborne on their way to Ukraine. Prayers for all 
We need to wrap them in our prayers! Prayers for all of our men and women going! I didn’t hear this on the news but on Facebook. Update: I heard they were in Poland helping the Ukraine army.

I read a NET in Time post this morning, and she voiced a teenager’s concerns. “What if a mistake happens?”

Whether you believe it or not the 2020 election was stolen by media hook or crooked servers. The western hemisphere is now in a fog of dementia.

Whether biblical timing or a lost populous or the constant bombardment of fake news, the truth is lost in this demented fog. We face so many enemies entrenched in our gov’t and the world in our time. (How can you have a card-carrying communist head of the CIA? Pay for play head of the CDC?)

King Jehoshaphat faced a battle that he could not win. He drew back–to the LORD. His weapon was a heart of praise. When we voice a heart of praise, we are showing God our reliance on HIM. God took care of Jehoshaphat’s battle.

It is time to rely on the most potent weapon of all a heart of praise.

Setting goals and achieving them definitely build confidence and self-esteem. I have a long list of achievements from learning to ride a back, writing, educational goals to making lifelong friends and instilling a love for God in my family.

But when your heart-felt attempts are rejected and your achievements scorned that’s when you plant your feet on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. The actions I take for the kingdom of God have eternal value, which is a life-long lesson.

I have set my own goals at times above God’s purposes. Of course, I didn’t always see the truth in the moment, just plowed ahead. Yet, God made me the way I am and knew I would need to plow.

God blesses our achievements to show us that we are wonderfully made. Therefore, the glory is His.

I had nothing to write about this morning, feeling down–amazing how God can comfort your heart with a simple thought once you meditate on it.

It is time to be what you have been becoming and step into the fullness of your possibilities. We all go through becoming as God prepares us for things He intends to accomplish through us. We grow and mature in our relationship with the Lord.

We are to step into our possibilities, looking at the Father and not at ourselves. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the storm around him, he sank. He sank again at the cock’s crow. He looked at the threatening crowd around him.

Peter stepped into all his possibilities when he committed to loving Jesus and to keeping his sheep. To love sheep and tend them is to keep your eyes on them- the lost sheep of this world. Don’t worry or focus on the dangers lurking, the storms will come, the threats will come but Peter was prepared, his resolve and commitment to Jesus were firm.

When the time comes, you will be able to slay a bear, a predator, with the sword of God’s word. He will take care of the rest. In Ps 139, you are enclosed all around and secure in His hands.
God has prepared you for such a time as this-for you to step into all your possibilities. Claim your readiness.

Ecc 9:1, 17 For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Ecc. 4, 10, If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses. If the ax is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. (Know God’s word, sharpen your wit by it).

Last two verses of Ecclesiastes: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment (Light), everything which is hidden whether it is good or evil.

Determine in your heart which way you will go. Be not distracted by loud voices that name call, bully and try to deceive. The church’s purpose is the salvation of the lost, it is an eternal matter.

To remain faithful in following after Jesus will require determination and intentionality. It will not happen by accident or casually. (Joanne Viola)
Determine to be faithful no matter the situation you are in. (Daniel/Spacious Living)
Do not mourn the loss of day not spent with God, enjoy each day as you spend with Him. (Andrew)
Don't get hung up in priorties, planning, preparing, missing what is important. (Best laid plans). 

In Chapter one of Zechariah, the Jews are returning from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. God reminds them of the importance of repentance by saying don’t be like the previous generation that ignored the prophets when they could have stopped the temple from being destroyed. Learn from your fathers, learn from what your fathers did wrong. 

Charles L Feinberg wrote in his book, God Remembers, A Study of Zechariah: “The fulfillments of the threatenings were so patent that Israel had to admit after consideration that God’s Word was true, even though it was to their discomfiture. Proof that the fathers recognized the Lord’s hand and their judgment.” 

Times are so disruptive today that the importance of knowing the season we are in is imperative. If we must repent, repent. If we don’t understand the signs of our time, study God’s Word. Measure truth by His Word. Don’t be deceived by lying spirits. God’s Word is living and active. 

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” … If we are lacking in knowledge of God’s Word, we will struggle to fight against the enemy.

Ecc 9:1, 17 For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Ecc. 4, 10, If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses. If the ax is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. (Know God’s word, sharpen your wit by it).

Last two verses of Ecclesiastes: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment (Light), everything which is hidden whether it is good or evil.

The Jews waited for their Messiah to come.
Some believed, and some did not.
Some could see the beauty of his arrival
and used scriptures to attest and authenticate.
We are waiting today for his return.
Some believe He is coming, and some do not.

We see the convergence of scriptures- Israel exists today. Words from the prophets of old come to life with current events. Mysteries once hidden are revealed. Scriptures are used to authenticate and test God’s promises. Sadly, only for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

The rapture ends the church age and ushers in the next set of events-foretold. Some will believe, and some will not. But they have the scriptures to test and authenticate Truth.

Just like the first sliver of light on the horizon brings the bird’s morning song, so Jesus sings for the world to hear. His song shatters the mournful tones of despair and dispels the cloak of darkness.

Echoes of joy ring
The songless world yearns to hear.
The troubadour’s song.

The morning light sings.
Hope shines through hate and despair.
The reframe repeats. 

His coming was announced

His return for the church anticipated

The Second coming foretold. Some will accept Him and some will not.