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Do You Hear?

Feb25

Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” — John 18:37

Jesus speaks. Are we listening? Do we recognize His voice? Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;”. If we are His sheep who hear His voice then we will be following Him. That means we are obedient, putting our faith and trust in Him, walking in His ways. We have a relationship with Jesus. When we have a relationship with someone we can recognize their voice before we even see them. We have yet to see Jesus face to face but we should recognize His voice.

Through our relationship with Jesus, grace and truth are realized. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:7). This Truth, Jesus Christ, sets us free. In response to His voice we come and are saved from the wrath of God, from our own demise. In response to Christ, we desire to hear His voice. We seek His Word, listen to teachers and preachers, and in quiet prayer we listen for the still small voice of our conscience.

As we develop our relationship with Jesus we start to recognize His voice more and more. We know Him intimately and when others speak we are able to decipher the spirit of truth from the spirit of error. Those who are of God hears the words of God.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; — John 10:27

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.– John 1:17

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” — John 8:32

We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. — 1 John 4:6

He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” — John 8:47

Sin Loses It’s Power

Feb24

Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude he did; you must be ready to suffer, too. For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses its power, — 1 Peter 4:1 (TLB)

What was Jesus’ attitude when He suffered and died for us? “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.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” And He did not answer him with regard to even a singlecharge, so the governor was quite amazed.

Christ suffered and yet did not open His mouth. He did not complain, grumble or lose His focus — to fulfill God’s purpose. Do we have the same attitude or are we saying, “that’s not fair” or “woe is me” or even “I don’t deserve this”? When we are in the midst of suffering are people amazed at our attitude? They should be if we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. We have been called for this purpose.

“Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin; for when you are deadened to sin you are freed from all its allure and its power over you.” Jesus suffered and died enabling us to have power over sin by the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. The power of God eliminates the power of sin in our lives.

Are you suffering? Praise God for when the body suffers, sin loses its power. The more we focus on God and His purpose the less power sin has over us. Seek Him in every aspect of your life. Seek Him continually.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

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. — Isaiah 53:7

And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” And He did not answer him with regard to even a singlecharge, so the governor was quite amazed. — Matthew 27:12-14

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, — 1 Peter 2:21

Your old evil desires were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin’s control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin; 7 for when you are deadened to sin you are freed from all its allure and its power over you. — Romans 6:6-7

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Trusting? Then You Are Obeying.

Feb23

Lord, we show our trust in You by obeying Your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify Your name. — Isaiah 26:8 (NLT)

Lord, I want to obey Your laws so You can see how much I trust You! In obedience to Your Word, I glorify Your name as others see the work You do in me. Help me to pay attention to You, give ear to Your Word, and obey Your law so that I may see the light You have set before me.

O Lord, You are my God and I will exalt You! I give thanks to Your name for You have worked wonders from day 1 of creation with perfect faithfulness. My heart rejoices when I think how You love me. You gave me laws to protect me, Your Word to guide me, Jesus to save me, the Holy Spirit to teach me and life to glorify You. I hope to be a testimony to You by my obedience and trust in You. To You, Lord God, be the glory forever and ever through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

“Pay attention to Me, O My people, And give ear to Me, O My nation; For a law will go forth from Me, And I will set My justice for a light of the peoples. — Isaiah 51:4

O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. — Isaiah 25:1

 

In The Love Of God

Feb22

keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. — Jude 21

Keep ourselves in the love of God. Hmmmm, how is that done?

First we must come to believe the love that God has for us. We must believe that His unearned love is simply who God is, He is love. We know Him when we abide in love. Abiding in love is abiding in God. When we abide in Him, He abides in us. Jesus said, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.”

Jesus is our example. He tells us that He kept the Father’s commandments and abided in His love. Jesus informs us that if we keep His commandments we will abide in His love. So keeping His commandments means loving one another. God’s Word says that if we love one another God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. We need to seek Him, love, keep His commandments, love one another to abide in Him.

When we do abide in our Lord, we bear much fruit. Apart from the vine the branch cannot bear fruit. So let us keep ourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, being fruitful to eternal life.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. — 1 John 4:16

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. — John 15:9

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. — John 15:4

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. — John 15:10

No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. — 1 John 4:12

 

Second Chances

Feb21

That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children,  That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, — Psalm 78:6-7

When I look back over my child rearing years I see many regrets and failures. If I could change or have do overs I would say the name”Jesus” more often. I would tell the plan of salvation until they understood. I would point out the attributes of a living God. My lips would testify more often of His greatness, goodness, provision, compassion, mercy and grace. My children would hear the Word of God more often than Sunday mornings. They would see me praying more often and family prayer would be more than just before eating or sleeping. They would know that Jesus was a very real part of the family Who would go with them out into the world when they started their own journey.

If only . . .

God is a God of second chances. Maybe becoming a grandmother is my second chance. I just found out I am to be a grandmother for the first time. I am so excited about this new creation being formed and woven in it’s mother’s womb. I give thanks to my Lord for my grandchild who is fearfully and wonderfully made. This baby’s frame is not hidden from Him and all it’s days are already ordained and written in His book.

God has given me a second chance to make a monumental difference in a child’s life. Thank you Almighty God. To you I will look for strength and seek Your face continually.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. — Psalm 139:13-16

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually. — Psalm 105:4

Thank You Christ Jesus

Feb20

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, — 1 Timothy 1:12 (NLT)

What an honor and privilege it is to be a spokesperson for God Himself. That He would think me faithful and trustworthy to serve Him so blesses my heart. “But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me” my journey of a lifetime truly began.

In serving the Lord I am only worthy because God revealed His Son in me and by His strength alone I can do all things. As servants of our God we do well to recognize that we are not adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves but our adequacy comes from God through whom our only power and success come.

Our trust and dependence must be solely upon our Lord. We must seek His ways and be obedient with total surrender. When we are, we will see the glory of God at work in us and in those lives we touch. Are you ready for the adventure God has planned for you? He is waiting to reveal the infinite things that Jesus Christ can do through you.

Seek Jesus and let Him transform you.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, — Galatians 1:15-16

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:13

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, — 2 Corinthians 3:5

Sufferings to Glory

Feb19

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. — Romans 8:18

Life is tough. I don’t know of anyone who has not suffered in some form or another — loss of a loved one, illness, disabilities. Then there is the sufferings of strained relationships – marriages, parent/children, employer/employee, etc. – the stress of life-changing decisions and so many more that you could come up with yourself that you have experienced or are experiencing.

Far beyond all comparison are these momentary, light afflictions which will produce for us an eternal weight of glory. They may not seem to be light afflictions at the time but when we compare them to the glory of God, His glory overshadows our afflictions or sufferings. Seek the Lord and rely on Him instead of focusing on the situation, ailment, disability. Reminding ourselves that He loves us and will never leave us nor forsake us, He also promises that glory will be revealed to us!

Our reliance and trust in the Lord during suffering strengthens our faith. Even when our faith is tested by fire our faith is refined and more precious than gold which is perishable. Our refined faith will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Suffering is a part of life but we don’t need to be defeated. Endure to strengthen your faith, leaning on the everlasting arms until that glory is revealed to us.

Can we even begin to compare our sufferings to the sufferings of Christ? Oh what He did on the cross for all humanity. Oh the sufferings He endured for us. In our sufferings let us keep on rejoicing so that at the revelation of Jesus Christ’s glory we may rejoice with exultation.

To God be the glory revealed in Jesus Christ.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, — 2 Corinthians 4:17

so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; — 1 Peter 1:7

but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 1 Peter 4:13

Because of You

Feb18

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad because of You. Let those who love Your salvation continually say, “The Lord is great!” — Psalm 40:16 (GW)

Because of You, Lord God, I seek You. Because of You I am glad and rejoice in You. Because of You, Lord Jesus, I love Your salvation and I will shout, “The Lord is great!”

Because of You I have life, my Creator. Because of You, my Provider, I have all I ever need for Christ is sufficient. Because of You, my Redeemer, I am forgiven and washed as white as snow. Because of You I have the capacity to love since You first loved me.

Because of You, magnificent, Perfect, all Powerful, all knowing, ever present God, I will tell of Your greatness, Your love, Your salvation and peace. The Lord is great!

Because of You . . .

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Show Me Your Glory

Feb17

Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” — Exodus 33:18

and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. — Exodus 33:22

Moses is my favorite Bible person. I love reading about his interactions with God. He and the Lord met together many times from the”burning bush” to Moses’ dying day. They had the kind of intimate relationship that I would like to have with our Lord.

In this particular passage of Scripture God said, “You have found favor in My sight”. Moses boldly said, “I pray You, show me Your glory”. As we see in verse 22, God showed him!!!

I often pray asking God to show me His glory and He does!!! In answered prayers, in blessings, in watching His master work in restoring relationships, in spiritual growth in believers, etc. When we ask to see His glory He opens our eyes to see. God is amazing!

On one occasion Moses’ meeting with God lasted 40 days and 40 nights. Moses was so overtaken with the glory of God that he didn’t even eat or drink that whole time. When Moses returned to the people of Israel the skin of his face shone from speaking with God. The Israelites were afraid so Moses put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went in before the Lord he would remove the veil.

I have known Christians in my time who’ve had a special glow about them, a twinkle in their eye when they spoke of the Lord. I wonder if it is because they spend intimate, quality time with Jesus. I’m guessing that is the reason. In the meantime I am going to work on that glow of glory that comes only from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How about you? Will you join me in the quest to glory in the Lord and for the Lord?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Confidence

Feb16

Confidence: full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”so that we confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. — Hebrews 13:5-7

Confidence in the Word of God is confidence in life. Do we trust what God says? If we do our life exhibits that confidence.

Are we content with what God has given us? God created us for His glory and if we are confident in that we can trust that He wants the best for us so He may be glorified. He is with us always, never deserting nor forsaking us. That’s what His Word says. Do we believe it? Do we trust it?

His Word also says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” “all these things” are “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?” God supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory. Worry means we do not trust and lack confidence in God and His Word. We do not need to be afraid. Jesus is our helper.

Are there individuals in your life who display confidence in Jesus and trust in His Word? Learn from them. Are you giving glory to God in your walk? People are watching and hopefully some are imitating your confidence in the Lord. Keep seeking Jesus so you can walk with confidence in your life.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. — Matthew 6:33

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ — Matthew 6:31

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19