Archive | January 2014

Mind Set

Jan11

 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5

What is your mind set on? Is it set on the things of or on the earth (Philippians 3:19; Colossians 3:2)? The things that satisfy the lust of the flesh? The things that occupy our lives but are worthless, and don’t enhance our lives? We need to set our minds on the things of the Spirit. 1 Chronicles 22:19a says, “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God”; 2 Corinthians 1:10, set our hope on Jesus. The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). Are you lacking life and peace? Maybe it’s time to evaluate what your mind is set upon.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Pleasing God

Jan10

and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. – Romans 8:8

Ephesians 2:3 says that we are naturally children of wrath living in the lust of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and mind. In this state we are incapable of pleasing God. If we come by sin naturally how can we please God? Through faith in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” We must believe that Jesus is God and seek Him. So let’s make it our ambition to please God. 2 Corinthians 5:9 – “Therefore we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.”

Love Him, seek Him, please Him. My hope for the New year. Making it my ambition.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

To Trust or Not To Trust

Jan9

 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that they might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]      – John 3:17-18 (Amp)

God is calling everyone to trust in Him. We can escape condemnation and judgment simply by asking and seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ. Through Jesus we are not separated from God – giving us true and fulfilling lives. The choice is simple and it is personally yours. Don’t delay.You won’t be disappointed. You don’t have to trust me but you do need to trust Him. Seek Him today through His word and through prayer – just simply talking to Him like you do your best friend. All I can testify to is that I have tried and He is good.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

No Condemnation

Jan8

Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no ajudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. – Romans 8:1 (Amp)

Hallelujah! Although I am a sinner, I am free from the bondage of sin’s hold on me. Although I am guilty of breaking God’s law, I am free from judgment. The God who created me loves me and has given me a life of confident and peaceful living because Jesus Christ lives in me. When I surrender control of my life I experience the promises of His word. I am free from shame and guilt to live vicariously. Are you living a victorious life in Christ? You can. Seek Him today. He has a not guilty plea waiting for you.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Jan7

... “But who do you say that I am?” – Mark 8:29

Jesus asked Peter, one of His disciples, this question. In verse 27 Jesus asked Peter, “Who do people say I am?” Could it be that Jesus was pointing out that believing He is the Messiah (Christ) is an individual decision? You can’t get to heaven on your Mom or Dad’s belief, or on the belief of any other person. Accepting Jesus as your Savior is an individual choice to be made. Who do you say that Jesus is? Me? Jesus is my life, the reason I breathe. He is the joy of my heart, the reason I sing and rejoice. He is my Lord, Redeemer, Friend. He is my help, refuge and strength, Comforter, Counselor, Leader. Jesus is my All in all. I could go on but I will close with – He is my HOPE!
I sincerely hope you seek Him so you can know for yourself who Jesus is.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Take Up Your Cross And Follow Me

Jan6

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me”. Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23

Three of the four Gospels has this verse. Would you consider this to be an important statement in being a disciple of Christ? To come after Jesus means to follow Him to your journeys end – heaven. When was the last time you denied yourself for the sake of the kingdom of God? Jesus denied Himself for the sake of the kingdom of God. He took up the cross to His journeys end, Golgotha. Luke’s account says to take up your cross “daily”. Walking your destiny with Christ is a daily thing. We are not perfect but Jesus is and so we need Him daily to help us carry our cross and follow Him. Let this scripture be an encouragement to seek Jesus daily in prayer and Bible study.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Crown of Life

Jan5

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved (passed the test) he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12

That verse is a mouthful. It is filled with so much good stuff but this devotion will focus on God’s promise: ” the crown of life to those who love Him”. God keeps His promises and it takes trials in our lives to show us that His word is faithful. We can count on all his promises by trusting and loving Him. As we trust and love Him, He helps us to persevere and one day, in eternity, we will receive that crown of life because we were steadfast and faithful. (Revelation 2:10)

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Consider It ALL Joy

Jan4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, -James 1:2 mms

The path of life is tough. It is filled with various trials that test us, our faith. Trials are not a joyous occasion. They can be scary, painful, hurtful, trying, challenging, etc. So how am I expected to consider it all joy? By spending time with Jesus because in His presence is “fullness of joy”. (See devotional January 3, 2014) Keeping our focus on Him, seeking Him.

Spending time with Jesus is praying,reading and studying His word and worshipping Him. That is how to seek.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Jesus is Alive in Me

Jan3

I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior in 1975 in Mililani Hawaii. God had already begun a work in me in El Paso Texas.

I was an Army brat (meaning my Dad was career military) and went to church regularly with my Mom and brothers. One day my Mom said that my Dad was due to get orders to go somewhere and asked where I would like to go. Being a teenager I said, “Hawaii”, of course. I was informed that my Dad couldn’t go there because Hawaii didn’t have the type of job my Dad was trained to do. Well, I prayed asking if we could go and God answered that prayer. I believe when we pray according to God’s will He answers (1 John 5:14). He had a plan for me that required me being in Hawaii in 1975 – to accept Him as my eternal Savior.

We got involved in a church right away and they had a special series on the end times and it scared me. I didn’t want to be left behind and not know God. Yes, fear was used to lead me to salvation. God knows best what we will respond to. In the years since God has turned that fear into trust and respect. I admire Jesus’ obedience to the Father by giving His life to pay my debt for all the sin I had, have and will commit in my lifetime. By Jesus’ shed blood (believing that Jesus died for me) I have been made clean from sin and believing that God raised Him from the dead, death has no power over me. I am saved to enjoy eternity with the Almighty God who loves me. I find great comfort and peace in searching His word. Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me and I live in peace, joy and comfort knowing He loves and cares for me.

If you haven’t gotten to know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, let me encourage you to seek Him. His word says in Deuteronomy 4:29 – “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.”

I asked Jesus to be my Savior alone in my bedroom. I confessed that I was a sinner and asked Jesus to forgive me. That simple prayer changed my life. Has my life always been great without troubles? No, but it has been great because I have someone who walks with me everyday and through every situation life throws at me. He is my strength, my peace, my joy, my everything.

May the peace of God be yours as you seek His face.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Joy

Jan3

You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. – Psalm 16:11 

Life is tough. I personally can no longer imagine living, walking the path of life without Jesus. In His presence is the fullness of joy in my life. In His presence I can know the path of life. Unless I spend time with Jesus I cannot know the path He has for me or experience the fullness of his joy. When we don’t walk daily with the Lord, we are missing out on the eternal pleasures He has for us. Don’t miss out – seek Him today and every day.

The tools we use – the Holy Bible and prayer.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon