Wishing today was an off day

 I woke up with a lot of flim in my throat and I have been sneezing this morning.  Sure am hoping that I am not coming down with a cold. But then, if I am, I have my excuse to not go on Thursday, right?  I'm not that desperate not to go.  But I will admit, I did ask God to help me get out of it.  We were out in the chilly wet air a little bit last night as we had dinner at a friend's house and didn't get home until about 7:30-ish. We had a nice time and had lasagna and salad.  I was comfortable.  The only problem with going to someone else's to eat, you don't eat as much as you want (as a rule), right?  Unless you are with family or with close friends.  This couple are close friends, but they are very light eaters, and the other 5 couples that were there we have only met a time or two.  Not surprisingly, hubby was the only one who ate the most. And I'll leave that here.

I realized last Friday that I had not extended meetings into 2025 like I should have done a month ago.  I was busy doing that Friday afternoon, but didn't get it all done. That will need to be my focus this morning as calendars fill up really quick. At least I don't have to look for time. What I will do is create a new invite for the same day and time and just send it out.  I am hoping to get them all done today.  It will be a busy day, for sure.

I didn't do a whole lot yesterday.  I did go to the grocery store and spent way too much money.  Costs even on food is getting outrageous - but I will admit I did buy some things that I probably didn't need to (candy for the dish), and egg nog.  Sorry, not sorry.  I like the taste of egg nog.  I only buy it one or two times throughout this season.  I also bought two cases of jars - one pint and one quart.  I've given all the grandchildren a tea towel with my salsa recipe on it so that they can make it on their own.  I haven't heard of anyone doing it.  Their comment to me when a couple have asked for salsa for Christmas and I remind them they have that recipe.... "but Grandma, it won't taste as good as yours."  Yeah, I'm a sucker for my grandchildren's requests.  But, no quarts this year; only doing pints.  At least my salsa is something they will remember when I'm gone.  And some will remember my bread n butter pickles.  Things like that make me smile.  

I can't remember what all I've given to the children on tea towels.  I think it is Tennessee Cornbread Dressing, Giblet Gravy, Salsa, and my bread and butter pickles - is that right?  Someone needs to remind me.  Those towels aren't cheap and I hope they take care of them and use them for the recipes on them. I still think it is a neat gift to pass on of special recipes.  They will always know it is in the dish towel drawer.  LOL  (If there is a recipe wanted, please let me know)

No wonder I'm chilly this morning.....my computer says it is 49 degrees outside!  Hubby is loving this weather. I'm loving that I can wear a sweater and hide some of this fat belly.  Just kidding!  I wear a hoodie or a flannel shirt.  lol

I was reading in the One Minute Prayer Warrior by Charles Rhodus this morning on the subject of 'rebuke'.  I looked up scriptures about rebuke.  Here is only one of them.

Mark 1:25 KJV And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

I think that when we hear the word 'rebuke' we often think of Jesus rebuking the devil/demons to come out of those that had mental illness, the deaf and those unable to talk.  And that is true, He did.  But do you also realize that He gave you the authority, as a Christ-follower, to be able to rebuke demons? So, is it ok to rebuke people when they say or do something that is un-Christ-like?  Absolutely!

I've had someone turn on me and say things that were not only not true but were mean.  I remember that without even thinking about it I responded to them with "Get thee behind me, Satan"!  Trust me, it stopped the barrage of words and they turned and licked their wounds!  That was many years ago and I don't even remember what it was about. I just remember being as surprised as they were!  Jesus has given us the authority to tell the devil where to go.  The devil knows where he is going... but he will do all the dirty work he can in our lives until he is cast down into the abyss.  

I've even had to rebuke the devil in my thoughts.  What I mean is, sometimes I (we) listen to the devil telling us to do things, or to feel things, or to say things - and sometimes we have to tell the devil to get out of our mind, get out of body.  We may feel justified in saying things (and we all do at that time) that are not Christ-like to someone, for we are frustrated or angry at them (or at someone else and take it out on them) - or doing things - and yet, when we do it, we know immediately that we shouldn't have done it or said it. Right? I think it has happened to all of us at one time or another.  We intentionally hurt someone because we don't like their behavior.  But what we are doing is actually showing them how low we can go.  Does that make sense?  I always try to tell myself (and others when they are sharing), don't bring myself down to their level - take the high road and keep my mouth shut. Don't do the thing that I know they will notice and know I did it, but take the high road and show myself above all that petty stuff.  I think I am all over the place with this paragraph, but you can figure it out.  I think.

When you want to do something that is not Christ-like, or honest or lifting someone up - keep your mouth shut.  Don't do it.  Tell the devil to go away and leave you alone.  You may not like that person, but Jesus died for them just as He died for you.  He loves them just like He loves you.  Sometimes that is a hard thing to accept.  I know that personally.  You constantly have to ask yourself, even in your anger or frustration, is what I am going to say or do something that Jesus would do?   If it isn't, and I will admit I have found myself in this predicament a time or two.... or more... I say it anyway and then regret it later and have to apologize.  Do you know how hard it is to apologize when you know you are right but you also know that you were wrong in saying it?

Walk through your home and tell the devil to leave, that he has no authority in your home.  Ask Jesus to come into your home and dwell there.  You will find that the atmosphere will change.  You will feel it.  Seriously!!  The devil has no place in your home but to steal, kill, and destroy relationships with your spouse, with your family.  Don't let him.  Use your authority to rebuke him and tell him to get out!

James 4:7 (NKJV):  Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

I had a run in with one of his demons one time.  I may have shared it before.  And, at the time, I didn't know what was going on.  I had stayed home from church with a migraine headache.  The house was quiet, I was lying in bed.  All of a sudden I felt intense pressure on my body and chest, and something on my neck, squeezing my throat.  I started trying to move, but I was pinned down.  All I could think of was cry out "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" - and the pressure lifted - and he pinched me as he left!  

The name of Jesus is powerful, I'm telling you!  I frequently go through my house and (especially when there has been frustration, sickness, or disagreements in the house) tell the devil to leave, and anoint the doors and windows and pray for peace and love within.  It does work!  You have to have faith to believe it.  When was the last time you told the devil to leave your home, that he has no invitation or welcome there?  If you believe it - do it!  You will feel the atmosphere change.  Give God the glory, for He has given you as His child, the authority to cast out the things not of Him.

Be all that God has called you to be.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you and from your household.  Jesus loves you.  More than you could ever imagine.  

Blessings!