Archive | April 2023

God Knows You

Apr14

You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?
Psalms 56:8 NASB

You examine in detail my ways, my life.
You see every tear and hear every prayer.
Yes, You have me written in Your book of remembrance.
I will revere You Lord and hold dear Your name for I am truly loved. Thank You Lord for loving me. Amen.

You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Psalms 139:3 NASB

“Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.
2 Kings 20:5 NASB

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name.
Malachi 3:16 NASB

🌹. . . rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
Luke 10:20b NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Trust Without Fear

Apr13

In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man (flesh) do to me?
In God, whose word I praise, In the Lord, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust (or trust without fear), I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
For You have delivered my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, So that I may walk before God In the light of the living (life).
Psalms 56:4‭, ‬10‭-‬11‭, ‬13 NASB

As God’s child should I not instinctively  cling with trust to my Father?
This brings my mind back to my child-rearing days when my little ones would cling to me when a stranger was near. It was okay for them to laugh at someone making faces at them as long as they were in the arms of their parent in whom they trusted.
When they were learning to walk, they would hold tight to my hand. They instinctively trusted the hand that would hold them steady as they walked without stumbling.

God has delivered my soul from death, so that I may walk before Him in the light of life without fear of what man can do to me. Yes, in God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid!

The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?
Psalms 118:6 NASB

so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 NASB

🌹Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Remain True

Apr12

And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—
2 Corinthians 6:1 NASB

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field (cultivated land), God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:9 NASB

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20 NASB

By God’s grace we are saved to serve Him as His ambassadors to a lost and dying world. By grace we encourage one another to remain true to the Lord so as not to succumb to the adversary, the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NASB

🌹Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;
Acts 11:23 NASB

Thank You, God, for Your grace, amen.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon 

Faith in the Faithful God

Apr11

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
Hebrews 11:11 NASB

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
Hebrews 10:23 NASB

For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 NASB

🌹“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?”
Jeremiah 32:27 NASB

‘Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, amen.
Jeremiah 32:17 NASB

How’s your faith? Does it go beyond the belief that Jesus is your Savior? Is it a faith that sees you through the good, the bad, the ugly, the devastating, the hurt of this world, the pain. . . ?
Does your faith bring you to the foot of the cross everyday with a surrendered heart, trusting God with your day?
He waits with open arms and a listening ear for you.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Find Life, Righteousness and Honor

Apr10

God loves and blesses those who pursue righteousness:

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.
Proverbs 15:9 NASB

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Matthew 5:6 NASB

God delights in loyalty.

For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6 NASB

He who pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness and honor.
Proverbs 21:21‭ NASB

Find life. Jesus is the “life”:

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 NASB

Find righteousness. Jesus is our righteousness.

having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:11 NASB

🌹What an honor to be filled with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, our Life, Lord and Savior, to the glory and praise of God!

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

He Has Risen!

Apr9

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.
Matthew 28:1‭, ‬5‭-‬6 NASB

🌹And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Hebrews 1:3 NASB

Praise our glorious Lord and King!! He rose just as He said. He is coming again. Do you believe?

Happy Resurrection Day!!!

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Holy Week – Saturday

Apr8

Jesus is buried. . . in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

Joseph, a Sanhedrin, was part of the Council of religious leaders who called for the crucifixion of Jesus. But he was a secret follower of Jesus and opposed the sentence placed upon Him.
Joseph was a good and upright man and a wealthy man. He was very brave to ask for the body of Jesus, as it was a risk to himself and His reputation.

Jesus is buried in the tomb of a rich man:
🌹His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
Isaiah 53:9 NASB

Have a blessed day, looking to celebrate the Resurrection of your Savior!
Hallelujah!!

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Holy Week – Good Friday

Apr7

The day Jesus died.
Jesus’ crucifixion can be found in all four gospels:

Matthew 27:1-56; Mark 15:1-41; Luke 22:33-49; John 19:16-30
I recommend reading all four accounts.

Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor. But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “Crucify Him!” Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
Matthew 27:1‭-‬2‭, ‬20‭, ‬22‭, ‬26‭, ‬45‭-‬46‭, ‬50 NASB

And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.
Luke 23:46 NASB

Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
John 19:30 NASB

🌹But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Holy Week – Thursday

Apr6

I neglected to mention yesterday, Holy Week – Wednesday, that Judas met with the religious elite and agreed to betray Jesus.

The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him (Jesus) to death; for they were afraid of the people. And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd.
Luke 22:2‭-‬6 NASB

Thursday was very full . . .

Jesus humbly washed the feet of His disciples.
John 13:1-20

Jesus partakes of the Last Supper with His disciples.
Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-19

Jesus, and Judas’ Betrayal . . .
Matthew 26:17-25; Mark 14:17-21; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:21-27

The Mt. of Olives/Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:31-46; Mark 27-42; Luke 22:40-46

Betrayal and Arrest
Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:54, 63-71; John 18:1-11

Long night ahead:

Jesus before Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders were gathered.
Caiaphas accuses Jesus of blasphemy. The chief priests and Council (Sanhedrin) answered, “He deserves death” and they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists and rods.” (vs. 65-68)
Matthew 26:57-68

You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received (treated) Him with slaps in the face (blows with rods).
Mark 14:64‭-‬65
Mark 14:53-65;

Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.
John 18:14 NASB
John 18:12-24, 28-40

🌹He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?Isaiah 53:3‭, ‬7‭-‬8 NASB

Lord Jesus, may I never take for granted what You went through to bring me life. May I learn from Your example to hold my tongue, trust that You always have a plan, and remember that they can kill the body but my soul is secure in You, Jesus!!!!! Amen

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon 

Holy Week – Wednesday

Apr5

Silence. . . . . . .

Not much is written regarding the Wednesday of Holy Week. It has been mentioned that this was the preparation day for the Passover which is Thursday, the day before the week of Unleavened Bread.

‘These are the appointed times of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover. Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.
Leviticus 23:4‭-‬6 NASB

Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare for Passover:

And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.” They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.” And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.
Luke 22:8‭-‬13 NASB

Where do you suppose Jesus was during the preparation?

Could Jesus have been with the Father in preparation for His death?

As I’m reading and meditating on Holy Week, I am noticing Jesus emphasizing the things the disciples are going to need. Faith and discernment were two things I noticed Jesus sharing.

Could Jesus have been away praying for His disciples?

🌹Jesus knew where to go in His despair. He has shown us where to go also. Jesus is our Advocate. He knew what lay ahead for His disciples then and for His disciples now. Jesus knows what lies before us and He preps us by the blessing of His word and prayer. Thank You, Jesus.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon