Archive | January 2015

The Name of God

Jan31

For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written. — Romans 2:24

Good question to ask ourselves, “what do my words, actions, obedience/disobedience tell others (Gentiles) about God”? Do they see His glory, worth, and the influence He has on me?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

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No Excuses

Jan30

Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. — Romans 2:1-11

Do not judge so that you will not be judged.  For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. — Matthew 7:1-2

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” — Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Acknowledge God

Jan29

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. — Romans 1:28-32

The decision (choice) to not acknowledge God leads down a road of personal, relational, and societal destruction. And we have the audacity to ask, “why is the world in such a mess?”.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Exchanging Truth?

Jan28

For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. — Romans 1:25

Are you settling for the lie? Do you KNOW the truth?

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

that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. — John 14:17

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.”

39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus *said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.”42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? — John 8:32-46

Truth or lies. The choice is yours. Do you know the truth? If you do you hear and accept the truth. If not you are settling for a bunch of lies. To know the truth, seek Jesus in His Word and through prayer.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Honor God

Jan27

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. — Romans 1:21

“did not honor Him as God or give thanks” – Isn’t that where it all begins? The deterioration of mankind. When we begin to neglect the very source and power of our existence. We speculate on unimportant, useless, and pointless things that are ineffective for all mankind. The more we neglect our God, disregarding His glory, provision, salvation, the darker our foolish hearts become.

Let today be different. In every endeavor give God the glory and thank Him in your heart, prayer and with praising song.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Wrath

Jan26

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. — Romans 1:18-19

God makes Himself noticeable to His creation. He gives us such mercy and grace in searching for Him. He is not hidden from the one who seeks. Seek Him today to avoid the wrath that will come to the ungodly and unrighteous. The wrath to prevail on the one who withholds the truth.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

“It”

Jan25

for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. — Romans 1:16b

“It”. The gospel. “It”. Jesus Christ. “It”. Power.

Trust in “It” to save you by believing. Trust in “It” to save others by telling.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Ashamed

Jan24

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, — Romans 1:16a

Ashamed: unwilling or restrained because of fear of shame, ridicule, or disapproval*

Our shame was nailed to the cross, Christian. Are we really grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice for us? He experienced shame, ridicule and disapproval for us and the result is our righteousness (to those who believe). Who around you needs to experience that righteousness?

Let us not be ashamed.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, — 2 Timothy 1:8-9;

And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” — Mark 8:34-38

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

* dictionary.reference.com

Proclaiming Christ

Jan23

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. — Romans 1:8-12

Do you get excited about God’s work? Do you get excited watching Christians grow in their faith? Do you desire to help and encourage other believers in their walk with Christ? Do you get encouraged to walk the straight and narrow by the testimony of the saints? Paul not only wanted to feed others but longed to be fed also.

We need more testimony of God’s movement in the lives of His saints. How is God moving in your life right now? If you can’t see, ask Him to reveal it to you and then share it! If you can see it, who can you encourage today by sharing it?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Christ Jesus

Jan22

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; — Romans 1:1-6

In the opening of Paul’s letter it is amazing, to me, what Paul reveals about Jesus. He is:

v.1 Christ which means Messiah
v.2 the promise of God
v.2 Revelation
v.3 Son of God
v.3 God in the flesh
v.4 Holy
v.4 Lord
v.4 Power
v.4 The Resurrection (Savior)
v.5 Our Grace

Paul mentions 3 descriptions of himself. How often in our speech is Jesus exalted above ourselves? He is the reason we speak at all. Are we being good apostles, followers, for His name’s sake?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon