Dinner with Sinners

 Dinner with Sinners

October 6, 2026

Luke 19:5-7 (NASB95) 

5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. 7 When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

This morning’s scripture started me to thinking about our recent cruise. We had a great time, but the other passengers represented a much different population that our friends that we normally associate with in church. There was lots of eating and drinking and partying, but something else happened that was interesting. Not unexpected I suppose, knowing how the Holy Spirit works, but interesting none the less. Over the course of the week there were several encounters in which we were able to speak words of encouragement to people. In one case, an older lady tripped and fell, and Diane was nearby to render some assistance. The ship was small and didn’t have a resident doctor or nurse, so her nursing training came in handy, and the family of the lady was very grateful to have someone to help and to give words of encouragement. Other people spoke about family difficulties and other issues. There were no dramatic cases of preaching the gospel loudly, but in each of these several cases, a quiet word was given to bring some comfort and encouragement. 

During the trip, there was a history professor that gave several interesting lectures about the history of the river and historical events on the towns along the river. The last lecture was on legends and ghost stories. We didn’t want to attend that one, which led to an interesting discussion with one couple over dinner about healing and deliverance. They had thought nothing of listening to the ghost stories until we started to describe some of our experiences with real live demons. I don’t know if we changed any minds on the subject, but they were exposed to a level of truth that they had not previously considered.

In the story of Zaccheaus, Jesus was criticized for eating with a sinner, but that is the only way to reach the lost. We can’t stay in our isolated little groups and reach the world. It may be uncomfortable for us to dine with unbelievers, but breaking bread is a wonderful way of opening up conversation that can bring a little light and salt into a lost world. So go forth into all the world. Preach the gospel, heal the sick and set the prisoners free!

Rain

 Rain

October 1, 2026

Zechariah 10:1 (NKJV) 

Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.

I heard that there may be rain in Texas this week. That would be a good way to start out the month of October. So Lord, let it rain!

Not by Might nor Power…

 Not by Might nor Power…

Sept 29, 2026

Luke 12:22-31 (NKJV) 

22 Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23 “Life is more than food, and the body [is more] than clothing. 24 “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 “And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26 “If you then are not able to do [the] least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27 “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 “If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more [will He clothe] you, O [you] of little faith? 29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 “For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 “But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV) 

So he answered and said to me: “This [is] the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.

This morning I’m writing from the middle of the mighty Mississippi River, somewhere between Baton Rouge and Natchez. The river is mighty and wild in this stretch, but I’m reminded that the might of the Lord is far greater. When the Spanish took over this territory from the original French explores, they were so impressed by the river’s might and power that they called this the River of the Holy Spirit. The Mississippi is a lifeline of commerce for all of middle America, which provides a way for the farmers and traders to ply their trade and provide a living for their families. Likewise, Jesus reminds us in the passage in Luke that the Father provides all of our needs. The magnificent birds that we see living on the shores of the river are provided for and are clothed with beautiful plumage, so why do we worry about what we are to eat of drink. The Lord provides through His might and power. Thanks be to God for this day and for His Spirit and His provision for us.

 

No Serpents or Scorpions

 No Serpents or Scorpions 

September 28, 2026

Luke 11:9-13 (NKJV) 

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will hegive him a stone? Or if [he asks] for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 “Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

We seem to be seeing a common theme this week; serpents and scorpions. Today’s scripture is encouraging though, reassuring us of the Father’s love. If we ask for bread He sill not give us a stone. He will not give us a serpent instead of a fish or or scorpion instead of an egg. When we ask anything of the Father, He is assuredly going to give us a good thing. Thank you Jesus!

Now as to our current journey, today we find ourselves in Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. Now this state has an abundance of wonderful food as well as slimy swamp creatures. This could be upsetting to a Midwest farm boy like me, but the Cajuns have adapted by turning the various critters into food! When I was a kid, we had crawdads in the ditch, but no one thought to eat them, but in Louisiana, the make crawfish into an excellent gumbo and other interesting dishes. Each to his own, I suppose.

But back to our scripture, we need to be mindful to ask the Father for everything that we need. He gives good gifts to His children and will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. What a blessing to know the blessing and provision of the Lord. We can certainly testify, after our fifty years of marriage, that the Lord is faithful to provide in all seasons. And He is able to protect us in all circumstances, so if you come across what looks like an evil scorpion, thank the Lord, and make shrimp gumbo out of him!

Serpents and Scorpions

 Serpents and Scorpions

September 27, 2026

Luke 10:17-20 (NKJV) 

17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject tous in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Today’s scripture is particularly relevant as we are in Louisiana river country, and will be touring swamps and sugar plantations. They assure us that any wildlife we see will be tame, but it never hurts to have the knowledge that the Lord protects us from all scorpions and serpents. We just need to be alert and wearing the armor of God, for you never know what kind of demons might emerge from the swamp!

Luke 9:1-2 (NKJV) 

1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authorityover all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

The important thing to remember is that the scorpions and serpents are not the important thing. The important thing is to go forth with power and authority to cast out demons, cure the sick, and to preach the gospel. So whatever swamp you find yourself in today, do not fear, but take courage and be the Lord’s representative to bring light into the darkness. Not even the scorpions nor serpents can harm you when you are about the Lord’s business.

His Glory Above the Heavens

 His Glory Above the Heavens

September 26, 2026

Psalm 113:1-6 (NKJV) 

1 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD! 2 Blessedbe the name of the LORD From this time forth and forevermore! 3 From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD’s name [is] to be praised. 

4 The LORD [is] high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. 5 Who [is] like the LORD our God, Who dwells on high, 6 Who humbles Himself to behold [The things that are] in the heavens and in the earth?

Today is a propitious day for us. This afternoon, we will start a journey up the Mississippi River. Who knows what wonders we will see of the “things that are in the heavens and in the earth?”  Whatever we will see, it will be an adventure.

According to Grokipedia (https://grokipedia.com/page/Mississippi_River), “The Mississippi River is the longest river entirely within the borders of the contiguous United States, measuring approximately 2,340 miles (3,766 kilometers) from its source at Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its delta in the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] Its watershed encompasses about 1.2 million square miles (3.2 million square kilometers), draining portions of 31 states and 2 Canadian provinces, representing the largest drainage basin in North America excluding Canada.” At the time that Mark Twin wrote “Life on the Mississippi”, parts of the river were a mile wide, but with the construction of flood control levies, I’m not sure that is still the case. But regardless, the Mississippi is a mighty river and undoubtedly holds many wonders to behold.

I grew up only about 40 miles from the Mississippi, on the Illinois side, across from Hannibal, MO where Mark Twain was born. Many of the things he wrote about can still be seen in Hannibal, including the cave where Tom and Becky hid from Injun Joe. One time when we were touring Hannibal, the guide remarked on the construction of the old houses, and my sister and I just looked at each other and said that it looked just like our old house. In fact, when that old house was torn down in the 60’s, the hand hewn boards and  square nails were taken to Nauvoo where they were reconstructing the old Mormon village. Joseph Smith had built a town there for his Mormons before the good folks of Illinois encouraged them, rather violently, to move further west! I’m rambling, but the Mississippi River is in my blood and in my family history, so it will be interesting to see what we discover on this voyage.

We are starting from New Orleans, which is a city steeped in history, though much of that history is of an unsavory nature. It is a city of good food and good music and good times (“Laissez les bons temps rouler” as they say here.) Many love New Orleans, but as for me, I will be just as glad to board the boat and steam up the river to see what we can see.

Revival

 Revival

September 24, 2026

Psalm 85:6-7 (NKJV) 

6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? 7 Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation.

Psalm 85:10-13 (NKJV) 

10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yes, the LORD will give [what is] good; And our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps [our] pathway.

Today’s reading from Psalm 85 is a prayer for restoration and revival. The nation of Israel had spent seventy years in exile in Babylon and was being restored to Jerusalem by King Cyrus (Ezra 1). There are those today who have called President Trump a Cyrus for our time.

Ezra 1:1-2 (NKJV) 

1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth ofJeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also [put it] in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which [is] in Judah.

It is interesting that our scriptures today talk about Cyrus, king of Persia, and Persia, that is Iran, is in the news again as President Trump strives to restore American greatness and peace to the world. In the psalm, it calls for a restoration of mercy and truth, of righteousness and peace. We need the same today. America has fallen into the spirit of licentiousness and violence, which is the spirit of Babylon. We need a time of national repentance and spiritual revival to bring back mercy and truth to our land. A restoration of righteousness and peace will come when we call upon the Lord and return to the ancient principles that led our forefathers to cross the ocean to found a nation based on freedom, truth and justice. Our constitution and declaration of independence were written by men who believed in the Lord God, creator of the universe, and author of all righteousness and peace. Only in returning to these founding principles, which are all found in the Bible, will America return to a land where the Lord reigns in the hearts of men. God Bless America!