Archive | July 2014

Live Holy

Jul11

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”

Therefore,

“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”

And,

“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:16b-18 (NIV)

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. — 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. – 1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NIV)
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; — 1 Peter 1:15 (NIV)
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:16 (NIV)

Why should we be holy? If for no other reason it should be out of reverence for God. He is worthy. He deserves it. Seek to please the Lord in all you do by being holy and pure. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. — 2 Corinthians 5:9

Keep practicing until you are more and more like Jesus. Keep seeking.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Will They Know?

Jul10

How effective would we be for the Kingdom of God if we did what God’s Word said? To fervently love one another, to serve one another, to encourage and build up one another to be more like Christ? Would our neighbors want to be a part of what we do? Would they long to be a part of our family — the family of God?

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:8-10 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. — Ephesians 4:12-13

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. — 1 John 4:11 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. — Ephesians 5:1-2

I can’t help but wonder what would happen if we used the gifts that God gave us to serve one another in love. Would we be viewed as a peculiar people, set apart for God’s purpose? Would we make a difference in the world? Would they know we are Christians by our love?

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We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

By our love, by our love

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

By our love, by our love

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Faith Is The Victory

Jul9

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. — 1 John 5:4

What makes you different from every other person born of flesh and blood? All mankind is born of flesh and blood, born of the will of man. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. — John 1:12-13

Born of God. How is one born of God? To know Jesus Christ, that He is righteous. To know Him is to follow Him by practicing righteousness. To know that He died for us and rose to victory over death. To have a personal relationship with Him. That is what it means to know Him and know that He is righteous.

Being born of God makes us overcomers because Christ lives in us. He who lives in us is greater than he who is in the world. Jesus has wisdom greater than, power greater than, victory greater than he who is in the world. We are so blessed to have Jesus living in us. He is our victory! He is our righteousness! He is our overcomer!

It is by faith that we shall overcome. Faith in Jesus Christ. He is the VICTORY!!!!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. — 1 John 2:29

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. — 1 John 4:4

The Bible

Jul8

BIBLE
Treasure
Truth
Perfect
Sure
Wisdom
Everlasting
Guidance
Insightful
God’s Word

Who could want or ask for more? All we need for life. The Word is Jesus Christ!

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.  Psalm 19:7

The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. — Psalm 119:160

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.
Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
for I am always thinking of your laws.
I am even wiser than my elders,
for I have kept your commandments.
Psalm 119:98-100 (NLT)

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Word of Life

Jul7

holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. — Philippians 2:16

How’s life? Things going well? Are you where you expected yourself to be 10 years ago? Are you running the road of life in vain? Are you toiling in vain? Are your achievements satisfying you? Are you making a difference in your little corner of the world or in the lives of those you know?

What will be your glory when you have breathed your last? What will be your legacy? What will you be remembered for? What will be your Creator’s response to your life? Will He be pleased and welcome you with the words, “Well done”?

My hope is that you hold fast to the word of truth. The Word, Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. — John 1:1-4 The truth, Jesus Christ. Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. — John 14:6

Holding fast to the Word of life is a guarantee of a life that has a reason to glory when Jesus returns. Happy seeking.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Overflowing Hope

Jul6

May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13(GW)

Are you lacking hope? Are you missing the source? Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. — John 3:16-17 Jesus is our Savior, the giver of eternal life, to everyone who believes in Him.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, — 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Belief that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and God raised Him from death.

That belief is faith. Through our continued living faith, God fills us with joy and peace. Is your life filled with joy and peace? Most faces I see and pass by daily don’t show it, so I wonder how many people really are experiencing joy and peace in their lives. That raises two thoughts in my mind. The first, do they know Jesus? Really know Him? Second, am I living out my faith that others can see it?

If we are living our faith out with joy and peace then we should be overflowing with hope by the living power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. What would you say is the level of hope in our world today? Is that overflowing hope present in our lives? Is it impacting our corner of the world? What can we do to bring hope to the hopeless?

Let us evaluate our faith. Let us seek Jesus through faith and experience the joy and peace that will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, overflow our lives with hope for ourselves and others.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Determination

Jul5

He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” — John 14:21

Do you want to see Jesus? Really see Him and experience His love and grace? Really know Him intimately? Are you seeking that sold out to Jesus relationship? Are you desiring His guidance and leadership in your life? Are you needing His comfort and peace?

Well if you do, it will take obedience. Obedience to God’s commands. That means searching the Word of God with prayer and determination. Determination that nothing will get in the way of your daily seeking of God through His Word and prayer. Determination to practice His Word on a daily basis. Determination to share your victories (testimonies to God) and your failures in prayer with the Lord. Keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith.*

Our practicing obedience demonstrate our love for Jesus. In our love for Jesus comes the blessing of the love of the Father toward us. And still more love is directed toward us from Jesus Christ Himself. And the crescendo? Jesus will disclose Himself to us! What a promise to work toward. He will make Himself known, reveal Himself, allowing Himself to be seen. That is a most wonderful promise.

So? Do you want to see Jesus? Seek Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

*Hebrews 12:2

Lovingkindness

Jul4

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
5 To Him who made the heavens with skill,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
6 To Him who spread out the earth above the waters,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
7 To Him who made the great lights,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
8 The sun to rule by day,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
9 The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 136:1-9, 26

Today was an absolute day of blessing after blessing from my wonderful Lord. He knows my heart and blesses it. He knows my needs and meets them with blessing. I could ask for nothing better than my wonderful Lord for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Praise and glory to the only true God worthy of worship and praise!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Rules Over All

Jul3

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. Psalm 103:19

Have you ever thought about the statement “His sovereignty rules over all”? “Sovereign: a supreme ruler. a person who has supreme power or authority”. Does that mean over all earth, all the nations of the earth, and over every living being of the earth?

What about the kings, presidents, and other rulers of the world? Did God put all powers in their place? Daniel 2:21 says, It is He (God) who removes kings and establishes kings. God has a plan. We may not think that all is right in the world but we can trust that God has a plan and all things happen to fulfill His plan. Our trust is not to be in the government, the ruler of the nation where we live, or in any living being. Our trust is to be in God and God alone.

God alone is our King and reigns over the nations for He sits on His holy throne. Next time life is getting you down because of all the chaos in the world around us, remember that God is still on His throne and He has a plan. He is Sovereign. Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. (Deuteronomy 10:14)

So, I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. (1 Timothy 6:13-16)

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

For the Lord Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth. — Psalm 47:2
God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. — Psalm 47:8

Wonderful Devotional

Jul2

Sharing an exceptional devotion from my good friend and brother in Christ. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Pastor Anthony L. Taylor

Real Talk: Why be in love with Jesus and the Gospel?

This is what He did for those who have been changed by the Gospel and its power…

What Christ has attained for us through his death and resurrection are immeasurable. Through his cross-work Christ has provided reconciliation to God, forgiveness of sins, propitiation, the ability to live for God, eternal life, justification, inheritance in heaven, righteousness, healing, bodily resurrection, intercession for the weak, peace, freedom, unity among believers, an example, redemption, advocacy, deliverance from fear of death, hope, wisdom, regeneration, access to God’s presence, and all things. In short, Christ’s death has given us God. It is literally the difference between eternal anguish and destruction apart from God, and eternal life and happiness with God.

The work of Christ is therefore something to be cherished, valued, honored, studied, and proclaimed.

This is what He will do when He returns in glory…

Revelation 19:11-13New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Coming of Christ

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the (God hating) nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

My Thoughts: His love is immeasurable, but so is His wrath to come…

Turn to Christ while you have a chance, turn from your sin, which is in hostile rebellion against a holy GOD.