Archive | November 2020

Our Treasure

Nov30

What does God need from us to fulfill His purpose, His will, His plan?

NOTHING. NOT A THING.

God desires a real and personal relationship with His people. He wants us to surrender our possessions,

So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. Luke 14:33 NASB

Our very life, our will, our all.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.             Romans 12:1 NASB

Surrender of our will, our purpose, our way.

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:7 NASB

Self-centered versus God-centered. Worldly minded verses spiritually minded.

🌹 Where is the treasure of your heart buried? In the world or in heaven?

I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.     John 17:11‭, ‬18 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Written Instruction

Nov27

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4‭ NASB

Are you discouraged, weak, fearful, without hope? Encouragement, strength, perseverance, hope are found in the Holy Bible. God knew we would need His instruction so He gave us His word. What an awesome, loving God.

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 15:5-‬6 NASB  

All for His glory is our instruction. Our instruction is for the unity of the body. Unity of the body is for His glory. The benefit for us is encouragement and hope.

🌹 Read the word.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Thankful Exultation

Nov25

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also EXULT in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.       Romans 5:8‭-‬11 NASB

Exult: to show or feel a lively or triumphant joy; rejoice exceedingly; be highly elated or jubilant:

knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.     Romans 6:6‭-‬7 NASB

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.          John 8:36 NASB

🌹We have much to be thankful and joyous over if we have experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ. May your hearts be thankful, full of triumphant joy, jubilant as you celebrate the wonderful gift of salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

The Church

Nov24

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:1‭, ‬3‭-‬4‭, ‬12 NASB

Prophesy: to speak as a mediator between God and humankind or in God’s stead.

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. 1 Corinthians 14:24‭-‬25 NASB

What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26 NASB

🌹 The Church: Body of believers gathered to love, edify, advise, discuss with one another.

Results: The conviction and salvation of the unbeliever through the unity of the body’s prophesy. Edification of the church as we share with one another a psalm, a teaching, a revelation.

For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:31‭, ‬33 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Shine

Nov20

But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.         Luke 12:2‭-‬3 NASB

Nothing hidden, nothing covered. We might as well confess, share our deepest darkest secrets, with the Lord right now. Bring your sin, your dark thoughts, your failures, all your secrets to the Light. Let them be revealed by you to Jesus, the Light of the world and let Him fill you with His light so you may shine His Light to the world.

If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.”     Luke 11:36 NASB

🌹 Confess. Be filled. Shine for Jesus. Today.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Your Portrayed Image

Nov19

“For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not forsake the fear (reverence for) of the Almighty.            Job 6:14 NASB

How we relate to people around us should demonstrate our reverence for Almighty God. When you relate to people around you – by your words, facial expressions, body language – what are they seeing?

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.            Philippians 4:5 NASB

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.          Colossians 3:17 NASB

🌹Whose image are you portraying?

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.           2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Effectual Prayer

Nov18

And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul;            Acts 4:31-32a NASB

Through prayer we are given the power of boldness to speak truth amongst our brothers and sisters to encourage them in the faith.

Through prayer we are given boldness to share the gospel outside the walls of the church.

Through prayer the church is unified as one heart and soul as the body of Christ.

The power of prayer. The Holy Spirit of God desires to work in us to point others to Christ and His saving grace.

🌹Do you speak with boldness the word of God to others for the glory of God and the eternal well being of others?

🌹Are you participating in corporate prayer so God can build the body for His glory and purpose?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

What Do You Possess?

Nov17

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

Peter encountered an invalid lying on the ground. He had no real material things to offer him and if he did what benefit would it have been to this man? This man would be satisfied for the moment but the next day he would be right back where he encountered Peter. What do you possess that you can offer to someone in need? Something beyond the physical.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.                      Acts 3:9‭-‬10 NASB

What Peter gave was far beyond the physical even though it was manifested in the physical. When God transforms a person people take notice. And the gospel can be proclaimed.

And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.     Acts 3:16 NASB

🌹What do you possess? The Holy Spirit.

🌹What can you offer? Your testimony of faith and of experiencing God.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

P.S. I am not saying you should not meet the physical but don’t neglect the spiritual for only the physical.

Will You Go?

Nov16

Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'” John 20:17 NASB

Jesus sent Mary Magdalene to tell His disciples that He was ascending to His Father, His God who is also their Father and their God. Mary was sent for a purpose. Could it be that God wanted to prepare the disciples so that they would be ready to believe and respond when Jesus appeared before them?

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22 NASB

What a wonderful encounter the disciples had with Jesus. Not only did they get to see His resurrected body but received the promised Holy Spirit. Remember that the Holy Spirit came because Jesus went to the Father. Jesus sent these disciples in different directions under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had to return to the Father so the Spirit of God could go and work through many disciples in many places at the same time.

If you are a born again disciple of Christ than you possess the power of the Holy Spirit in you just as the disciples had. What is God’s purpose for His disciples?

As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:18 NASB

Jesus has sent us into the world just as the Father sent Him. Jesus came to bring reconciliation between man and God. Jesus now sends us to reconcile man to God.

🌹 Will you go?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon