Archives

Prayer Answered

Dec8

When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, “It is his angel.” But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James and the brethren.” Then he left and went to another place. — Acts 12:11-17

I have always found this comical. Here is a group of Christians praying for Peter and when he shows up at the door they are so amazed that he is left standing at the door.

Is our prayer life like that? We pray but don’t expect to be answered? We pray and are amazed at the power of God? 

God is amazing and powerful! He can answer any prayer. Maybe we need to pray more with anticipation at how God will answer our prayers instead of expectation of whether He will answer. God will always answer so we shouldn’t be surprised but we should anticipate His answer to bring glory unto Himself.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Welcome

Dec7

Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. — Acts 10:34-35

To every nation

Fear (Reverence) God
Do what is right (Work righteousness)
You are welcome.

No matter who you are. No matter where you come from. No matter your social status. No matter your past. No matter anything. God shows no partiality. Are you ready?

Well, come. Welcome.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Uncommon

Dec6

Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”  — Acts 10:15

“Unholy” in this verse literally means “make common”. So, if God makes us uncommon what is common?

Common is the state in which we were born. Born into sin, separated from God. Loving the things of this world. Not acknowledging God as our Creator to be worshiped and adored and loved with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Accepting Jesus as our Savior — confessing, repenting (turning from the ways of the world to the ways of God), and surrendering our selfishness to allow Him to transform us into a holy state. That is the uncommon.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 1 Peter 2:9

I love the King James version in this verse that says that we are a peculiar people. Peculiar, what the world would consider different, odd, uncommon.

So, if you are cleansed by Christ you are no longer common. You have been set apart for the work of the Lord God Almighty. You are set apart to bring Him glory.

God make us to be uncommon, peculiar people in this world of common people. To You be the glory forever. Amen.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Devout Man

Dec5

a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.  — Acts 10:2

Hmm. What influence does a man have on his household?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Heart Condition

Dec4

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” — John 8:12

There is a lot of media from television, radio, Facebook, newspapers, on and on about the color of someone’s skin. The “talk” seems to be focused on the color of your skin igniting anger, resentment, hate that is increasingly growing until it becomes a fire that may take decades to put out.

The problem is not a skin condition but a heart condition. Sin is the disease that needs the healing Light, Jesus Christ. Looking at only the symptom we can misdiagnosis the disease and the needed treatment for the condition.

Jesus loves us. Our prognosis is not dependant on the color of our sin but on the condition of our heart.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Edified And Multiplied

Dec3

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. — Acts 9:31 (KJV)

This verse so intrigued me that I kept reading it over and over again. Looked it up in other versions and here it is in the KJV. A time of peace for the churches had come. Saul was no longer pursuing Christians. They were being built up, encouraged, moving forward in the work of the Lord. 

In that edification they were walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. In this the church was multiplied. Makes me wonder if the church is walking in encouragement today — seeking the Lord in reverent fear and in the comfort and trust of the Holy Spirit. Is it possible to see the church multiply today?

How is your walk?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Jesus Is

Dec2

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. — Acts 9:19-22

The power of Christ in us. He can transform anyone. No one is beyond His power to transform. No sin is beyond His power or compassion to forgive. Simply by humbly confessing Jesus Christ as the Son of God and admitting that it is really only Him who can give forgiveness and life.

Won’t you allow Jesus into your life and let Him transform you? You’ll never regret it.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Get Up And Go

Dec1

And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,  15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; — Acts 9:11, 15-18

It is the Lord Jesus who does the saving. Saul prayed. How many of us have been at dire straits and called out to the Lord in prayer? Jesus called on Ananias to go to see Saul. How many of us have heard the call of God to go and witness to others? Ananias obeyed Jesus and went to Saul. Ananias laid hands on Saul , but Jesus did the work. How many opportunities have we passed by not obeying God and going and sharing the gospel with somebody who needs it?

Jesus can do His work without us but isn’t it an honor and a privilege that He asks us to be a part of the salvation of others?

Can’t help but wonder what would have happened if Ananias had not obeyed the call or Paul had not prayed. You can make a difference in the life of others. Are you listening to the call of God?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

But My Eyes Are Open

Nov30

Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. — Acts 9:8

How many times have you been led by the hand to church on a Sunday morning (for some Saturday night)? I know as a child I was led by the hand of my mother. For years I was led as a blind person, my eyes open but seeing nothing.

How many are sitting in churches this morning, being led by family members, friends, routine, tradition or duty and though their eyes are open, they see nothing? This breaks my heart.

Are you praying for the congregation that you sit with, that the eyes of their hearts will be open? That the message of Jesus Christ would be proclaimed from the pulpit in truth? And have you examined the eyes of your heart to see if you are seeing 20/20?

The church needs reviving and it begins with the individual. I hope you see the Light clearly and pray for healing from the blindness that is invading our churches.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Guide Me

Nov29

Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. — Acts 8:30-31

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. — John 14:26

If Jesus is your Savior and Lord you are never without the Teacher. Don’t be afraid. Open your Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. — John 16:13

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon