Archive | December 2014

Spread The Word

Dec14

 For so the Lord has commanded us,

‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles,
That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’”

When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. — Acts 13:47-49

Oh that we would be so excited about the Word of God! So excited as to rejoice and glorify His Word. So excited and joyful in our salvation that comes by the hearing of the Word. Are you hearing the Word proclaimed today?

As we hear the Word it will spread. Interesting that within the word “spread” is the word “read”. Today many gather to hear the Word proclaimed but tomorrow will you be reading the Word? What about the rest of the week?

Read daily and let the power of God’s Word spread through you to others that they may rejoice and glorify the Word, Jesus Christ.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Simple Prayer

Dec13

Lord God, help me to dwell in Your worthiness instead of my unworthiness. Amen

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Christmas Gift

Dec12

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. — Acts 13:38-39

Free. What a wonderful word for this season. Amazing that Christmas time is so filled with”hustle and bustle”, stress, over indulging, lack of sleep, “bah humbug” and the like. Could it be we have turned Christmas into something it isn’t?

Christmas. What a wonderful word. Christ fulfilled. Salvation. Forgiveness. Hope. Love. Joy. Peace. Freedom. Good News!

Come let us adore Him!!! Celebrate the real Christmas. Christ Himself.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Good News

Dec11

And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’ — Acts 13:32-33

Celebrate, it’s Christmas!!!! What better reason to celebrate than the fulfillment of prophesy in Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father. The promise of God to all generations that came in a humble stable.

The precious baby that would sacrifice His life for us. The good news of His resurrection all wrapped up in a beautiful gift and all for those who will believe.

The only begotten Son freely given. Will you accept the gift?

Jesus. The best gift you will receive this Christmas. Celebrate!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Do All My Will

Dec10

After He had removed him (Saul), He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, after John had proclaimed before His coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And while John was completing his course, he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ Acts 13:22-25

God has a plan. I know we have heard that time and time again, but it is true. God chose David to be the bloodline of Jesus. God chose John to proclaim His coming with the baptism of repentance. God has chosen each of us for a purpose.

Through both David and John, God was glorified. How about you? Do you bring God glory each day? Are you a person after God’s own heart? Doing all God’s will? Are you completing the course God has laid out for you? Are you proclaiming that Jesus is worthy, bringing salvation to all, telling of the promise of the Messiah fulfilled?

This month as we anticipate the coming of Christmas Day, I hope that you would reflect on the coming of Jesus as a babe in swaddling clothes and the impact He had and still does on this world. Are you sharing the true meaning of this season as you shop, bake, put up the tree and decorate your home?

What do you suppose that I am? One not worthy to do the will of the Lord but entrusted to know His heart and do His will. He is worthy! He is King! He is to be glorified! Hope there is room in your life for Jesus this Christmas season.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Listen. . .

Dec9

“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: — Acts 13:16b

Listen:

to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing; give ear.
to pay attention; heed; obey

God is calling, speaking, commanding, warning, teaching, counseling, etc. Are you listening?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Prayer Answered

Dec8

When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel.” But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James and the brethren.” Then he left and went to another place. — Acts 12:11-17

I have always found this comical. Here is a group of Christians praying for Peter and when he shows up at the door they are so amazed that he is left standing at the door.

Is our prayer life like that? We pray but don’t expect to be answered? We pray and are amazed at the power of God? 

God is amazing and powerful! He can answer any prayer. Maybe we need to pray more with anticipation at how God will answer our prayers instead of expectation of whether He will answer. God will always answer so we shouldn’t be surprised but we should anticipate His answer to bring glory unto Himself.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Welcome

Dec7

Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. — Acts 10:34-35

To every nation

Fear (Reverence) God
Do what is right (Work righteousness)
You are welcome.

No matter who you are. No matter where you come from. No matter your social status. No matter your past. No matter anything. God shows no partiality. Are you ready?

Well, come. Welcome.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Uncommon

Dec6

Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”  — Acts 10:15

“Unholy” in this verse literally means “make common”. So, if God makes us uncommon what is common?

Common is the state in which we were born. Born into sin, separated from God. Loving the things of this world. Not acknowledging God as our Creator to be worshiped and adored and loved with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Accepting Jesus as our Savior — confessing, repenting (turning from the ways of the world to the ways of God), and surrendering our selfishness to allow Him to transform us into a holy state. That is the uncommon.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 1 Peter 2:9

I love the King James version in this verse that says that we are a peculiar people. Peculiar, what the world would consider different, odd, uncommon.

So, if you are cleansed by Christ you are no longer common. You have been set apart for the work of the Lord God Almighty. You are set apart to bring Him glory.

God make us to be uncommon, peculiar people in this world of common people. To You be the glory forever. Amen.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Devout Man

Dec5

a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.  — Acts 10:2

Hmm. What influence does a man have on his household?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon