Psalm 105:4 Seek the Lord and His strength…

Last week was a difficult week. I felt overwhelmed, weak, defeated. The verse above is one of my favorites and so when it came to mind I decided to meditate on it for awhile.

Seek His strength. What is His strength? As I’m contemplating this question one morning I grab a mug from my cupboard to pour a cup of coffee. Written on the cup is “the joy of the Lord is your strength”. This comes from Nehemiah 8:10.

He’s joy! What is His joy that is joy in me?

Well. . .

Galatians 5:22 says that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. God’s Spirit. Acts 13:52: filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17: kingdom of God is joy in the Holy Spirit.

Saved? Then you have received the Holy Spirit. If you have the Holy Spirit than you have joy.

Psalm 51:12: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Joy in His salvation.

Joy is God’s Word: Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 13:20: the Word internalized

Joy is found in prayer: Isaiah 56:7; Philippians 1:4

Worship of God brings joy: Luke 24:52

In His presence is fullness of joy: Psalm 16:11

So in conclusion. Strength is found in joy and joy is found in Christ, where He is. 1 Chronicles 16:27

Psalm 105:4 Seek the Lord and His strength. Seek the LORD continually.

Real strength is found when you seek Him and the byproduct is His joy in you. Keep seeking.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

“Be ready in season and out of season” 2 Timothy 4:2b

Have you ever been called upon to teach at the last minute?

Well my first time was today. 15 minutes before our Bible Study hour I was asked to teach our Senior Adult class. That part was not a problem as I was once their fulltime teacher. They showed me a lot of grace over the five years I was with them.

Though I jumped at the opportunity, because I love to tell the story of Jesus, I was apprehensive and prayed as I crossed the hall to grab a quarterly to at least know what scripture they were studying today.

Let me just tell you that my God knows my heart. He knows that each day I long to see His glory. Each day I long to see His work in others and in me. I long to tell of His glory as He opens my eyes to His different attributes displayed as He moves. The scripture we looked at today was from John chapter 11. Many are familiar with the story of Lazarus and Jesus raising Him from the dead. Verse 40 says, “Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?'”. Well God opened the door and let me tell of His glory through this lesson.

Each day is filled with opportunity to serve our Lord and to see His glory as we obediently follow Him, even into uncharted opportunities.

Do you know Him, trust Him, rely on Him? He will not let you down. Be ready at a moments notice to follow Him into those waters that He has chartered even if you haven’t. It is well worth the trip just to see His glory!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Acts 12:6-16

The testimony of Peter and his miraculous escape from prison is one of my favorites. But what really strikes me is how surprised those in Mary’s house who were praying for Peter were amazed to find him at the door. How many of our prayers do we pray not expecting God to answer?

Do you pray expecting God to answer?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-walk!”

Acts 3:6 NASB

Yesterday I was approached to help someone with gas. This person had been helped before – and not too long ago – through our benevolence ministry. Being unable to accommodate the request I took what few dollars I had in my wallet and gave.

What I gave would satisfy for the moment but what if I had taken the time to share the gospel?

That person would have left with a much greater treasure in meeting Jesus or they might not ever return because they wouldn’t want to hear the message again.

God’s precious gospel changes lives. We are called to share it. We must be bold. We must be obedient.

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'”

For additional boldness and obedience in the gospel read Acts 4 and 5.

Let’s make a difference.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.
Mark 15:5 NASB

And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.
Matthew 27:14 NASB

I’m currently participating in a Bible study with a great group of women that is about opening our eyes to the wonder of God.

These two passages speak of Pilate and Herod both being amazed by Jesus and how He responded to untrue accusations against Him. They were amazed.

I am blessed to often being amazed at Jesus and His continued work in the world today. One particular time was this weekend.

Starting at the beginning. . . I bought some books for my five-year-old granddaughter about 2-3 weeks ago that I have in my kindle and she has a kindle too so Mom could read to her at home. Well my granddaughter’s kindle broke before the books were ever read. Remember that God’s timing is perfect.

This weekend my husband and I had a day of teaching “patience” to our granddaughter – which is not easy for a five-year-old – while having a day of fun and fellowship. That night I am reading one of the books I had purchased 2-3 weeks prior. The story of Esther. She had to be patient, waiting on God’s perfect timing to save her nation.

In God’s perfect timing this book was read to my granddaughter to build upon her day. Needless to say I was amazed!!

What an awesome God we have that He is interested in a five-year-old and answering the prayers of a grandmother as she prays for her granddaughter.

To God be the glory!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Mark 14:32-42 tells of Jesus and His praying in the Garden of Gethsemane just prior to His crucifixion. He took three of His closest disciples with Him and said to them, “keep watch and pray”.

We don’t always know or grasp the magnitude of someone else’s pains or struggles. How often when asked to pray for or with them do we seriously take the time to pray? We often think that prayer for others is for their benefit but as we pray for them we are affected – able to see God’s intervention which could come through us in other ways beyond prayer. Prayer puts us in God’s perspective and will.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon