Archive | September 2020

Disciple

Sep14

And they spent a long time with the disciples. Acts 14:28 NASB

From the moment we are born we begin to learn. Learn to eat, walk, talk, etc.

Disciple: A student, learner.

Within 2 years of a child’s life, he learns all the basics that over time are fine tuned. Christians are the same way. For years we have prayed, hoped, and got excited about people coming to know the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Many have come to that decision and yet our churches are dwindling in numbers. Why?

Could it be that we have left these Christian babies to fend for themselves? We introduce them to the Savior and then expect them to survive in a hostile world with satan who seeks to devour them. They need instruction. They need to be mentored by a mature Christian who can show them the ropes.

Discipling someone is taking the time (long time) to mentor them in how to seek the Lord, teaching them the spiritual disciplines, encouraging them in their walk, listening, answering their questions, being their friend. It costs to disciple. It cost Jesus His life so that we may be discipled by the Holy Spirit. He discipled 12 who could carry on.

🌹Can we disciple one? Is there someone in your life you could disciple? Would you pray for someone that you could disciple? The answer may not come right away, but God has someone for you to disciple or He would not have commanded us to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Extraordinary Spirit

Sep10

Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.”
Daniel 6:3‭-‬5 NASB

“We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.”

Today’s religion is often taken lightly in the sin department. “God is a forgiving God.” “Jesus died for my sins – past, present and future.” Although these are true it is so much more.

We tend to think that a little lie is okay, talking about others, or speeding over 5 is alright. But sin is sin. No such thing as a little sin versus a big sin. Sin is disobedience against God.

Here Daniel was displaying himself as a child of God who wanted to bring honor and glory to his God. He was obedient to God which overflowed into his personal life.

🌹O that we walked in such a way that there would not be found any negligence or corruption in us. That we would display an extraordinary Spirit. The Spirit of God Himself in us for all the world to see.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Life as Usual

Sep9

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
Daniel 6:10 NASB

Do we allow situations in life dictate our walk with God?

Daniel spent time with the Lord three specific times a day – bowing in humble thanks. A decree came down that any man who bowed down to anyone besides the king himself would be thrown in the lion’s den. Daniel’s choice was God over anyone else and any situation. His priority was God.

🌹How about you? Is God above all others and every situation in your life? Is He your priority? Are you God-centered? Is your life “as usual” no matter what is going on around you?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

The Writing on The Wall

Sep8

but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven; . . . and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not glorified.
Daniel 5:23 NASB

King Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall and that night his life was taken. He had gone too far defaming the name of God.

He trusted in his own ability and ways. He was secure in his own fun and games with absolutely no regard to the things of God.

🌹Is God glorified in your life? Are you aware that He is your very life-breath and all your ways?

🌹Don’t wait until you see the writing on your wall. Turn to God (repent) and seek His forgiveness, truth and way. Let Him breathe new life into you for His glory.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

You Are My Everything

Sep8

I am nothing without You.
You are . . .

My Justice
My Eternity
My Savior
My Unity
My Sustainer

My Compassion
My Holiness
My Righteousness
My Inspiration
My Shepherd
My Truth

None of these do I possess but by Your love and righteousness.

Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.
John 5:19 NASB

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 NASB

If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”
John 9:33 NASB

🌹Who is Jesus Christ in you?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Put on The Lord Jesus Christ

Sep4

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Romans 13:8‭,11,14 NASB

Do you ever think about or look at people around you the same way you imagine God looks at you?

From the day He created you His desire has been to love you, walk with you, talk with you, guide you, have a real and intimate relationship with you. How long did you walk in your disobedience and neglect before someone, or many, shared Jesus with you?

We have all been on the road to destruction. Many of the people you see everyday are on that road. Does your heart break over their destination as God’s heart broke over yours?

Every person on earth was created by God. Every one of them. Are you praying for and shining the Light to the people in your portion of the world?

🌹Salvation is near. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Apple of His Eye

Sep3

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
Psalms 33:18 NASB

Wow! To think that God’s eye is upon me is enough for me to fear, be in reverential awe of, Him. Who am I that the Holy God of the universe would have His eye on me?! It is enough to draw me close to and hope for His lovingkindness.

When we draw close, seek Him, stand before Him in reverential awe we are right in the midst of His love, kindness, protection and guidance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Psalms 32:8 NASB

Do you realize how precious you are to God? He will fight for you. He will protect you. He will teach you. He will guide you. Guide your EVERY step. Will you let Him?

For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.
Zechariah 2:8 NASB

🌹Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.
Psalms 17:8 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

70 Years!?

Sep2

The inhabited cities will be laid waste and the land will be a desolation. So you will know that I am the Lord.
Ezekiel 12:20

Recently I’ve heard, “I am so tired of this Covid thing” or, “I am so over this, I am ready to go back to normal”.

What is normal? Living life for me, me, me?

God has a plan. He had a plan for Israel when they went into captivity in Egypt for 70 years. He had a plan when He sent them again into captivity in Babylon under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar.

What is God’s plan? “So you will know that I am the Lord”.

Contentment can be found in nothing less than Almighty God. Contentment can be found during desolation and captivity when our hearts belong to Him. Our focus is on God.

“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’
Daniel 4:35‭ NASB

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
Daniel 4:37 NASB
(Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony is in Daniel 4. You might want to read it).

🌹Are you humbly focused on God and His will? If this Covid lifestyle should last 70 years you can be content in Him?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

You Are Responsible

Sep1

When I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself.
Ezekiel 3:18‭-‬19 NASB

Most up us know that God has sent us to share the gospel message to the unsaved, those walking in blindness and their wickedness. The message of salvation is our responsibility as the children of God. His disciples. His ambassadors. It is a responsibility God takes seriously. Do you?

But I’m not so sure that we take seriously the guidance of the family of God.

Again, when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he will die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. However, if you have warned the righteous man that the righteous should not sin and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; and you have delivered yourself.”
Ezekiel 3:20-‬21 NASB

God created His church that we may encourage one another in the faith but to also draw a wayward soul back to repentance. We cannot stand silent while our brother or sister walk away from the Lord. Our hearts should break at the waywardness of another child of God. There are consequences for us if we do not counsel the wayward one.

The good news is that we do not have to do it alone.

But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you will say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 3:27 NASB

To accomplish God’s will you must be walking in a personal relationship with Him so that you can clearly hear His guidance.
(That means knowing His Word (the Bible), praying, being part of the community of God (fellowship).

🌹God gives us the courage, strength, words of counsel to speak truth to others, lost as well as the saved.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon