Archives

Draw Near To God

Feb15

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works. — Psalm 73:28

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Being near to God is nothing but good for anyone. He is all we need in heaven and on earth.

Draw near to God for He is our refuge, our shelter. We find peace in His presence as He protects us from the world, giving us security that we can depend upon. He is faithful. We sit in in the sanctuary of His presence when we draw near to God.

When spending time with Jesus in prayer, meditation and study of His Word, our eyes are opened to the wonders of God. We are overwhelmed and overflowing with testimony of His goodness that we must tell the world what He has done, the wonderful things He does.

The real key to proclaiming the good news is knowing the One who is the good news. Draw near to our God so you can proclaim His goodness, salvation, love and the hope He has for everyone.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Walk Humbly With Your God

Feb14

 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? — Micah 6:8

What is walking humbly? Humble can be defined as not proud or arrogant; modest or lowly of spirit. To walk with God we can’t have a haughty spirit, or be arrogant. Sometimes walking with God can make us feel like we are the only ones who do God’s bidding and that we’re the best at it. God has a way of making us feel very special but walking humbly reminds us that the work of God is done by Him, not us.

Jesus is our example of humility. Philippians 2:6-8, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Jesus honored the Father by humbling Himself in obedience and is the perfect role model for us in how to walk humbly with our God. We are to empty ourselves, taking on the form of a bond-servant , and becoming obedient to God — to the point of death. How far are you willing to walk humbly with our God?

Our Lord gives grace to the humble and when we humble ourselves in His presence, He will exalt us. Let God do the bragging about you instead of tooting your own horn. It is so much more rewarding when He does it.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. — James 4:10

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” — James 4:6

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” — Luke 14:1

A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor. –Proverbs 29:23

 

May Be Well With Us

Feb13

But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ Jeremiah 7:23

 Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we listen to the voice of the Lord our God.” Jeremiah 42:6

God commands us to obey His voice. How do we hear His voice? Through His Word, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and God’s people. When we study His Word, alongside prayer, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the godly counsel and accountability of His people — He is our God and we are His people. When we listen and obey we walk in His way and when we walk in His way it is well with our soul.

Listening is a choice. When we listen intently to the Lord, it is well with us,  whether our lives are pleasant or unpleasant. Obedience to the Lord our God brings well being in all circumstances. Our focus must be intent upon Him and seeking His ways. Whether pleasant or unpleasant we have peace of mind that things are going God’s way and we can trust that He is in control. It is well with my soul.

Walking with Jesus I am made righteous in the sight of God and I will be fruitful in my endeavors, works, resulting in eating the fruit of my actions. It is well with me.

God desires us to have a heart that fears Him and keeps all His commandments always — that it may be well with us. Do you desire to live a life of well being? God desires that for us all. Have a heart that fears Him and keep His commandments.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, For they will eat the fruit of their actions. — Isaiah 3:10

Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! — Deuteronomy 5:29

Come Let Us Go

Feb12

“Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Micah 4:2

Where are you learning your walk of life from? If not from the source Himself than your walk is futile. Who is better to teach the way than God Himself, the expert on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We have God who created life, Jesus who demonstrated the walk and the Holy Spirit to teach and encourage the walk.

God’s divine plan begins with our walk, walking in His path, and goes forth from Zion and even Jerusalem. Sounds familiar. Acts 1:8 says, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” We need the special instruction of our God, allowing Him to put His words in our mouth, so we will speak to all as He has commanded us.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. Deuteronomy 18:18

 

Walk in His Ways

Feb11

“Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,                                                                                    — Deuteronomy 10:12   

It really is all about God. He has set His standard, “to fear the Lord your God”, reverently fear. A respectful awe of our Lord.

He commands us to walk in His ways. His commandments are to be followed because He is, was and always will be the One and only God, Creator, Lord, Master, our All in all. He deserves our utmost obedience.

The first and foremost commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. If we love Him we will keep His commandments, serve Him and fear Him — that is walking with the Lord. 

Walking with the Lord is so much more than obeying commandments and serving. God gives us these commandments and instructions in His Word for our benefit. Walking with the Lord Jesus is a walk of peace and joy. Within the confines of obedience to His Word we find a trustworthy, faithful friend who will never fail us. Living in the boundaries He has set for us we find contentment. We might be commanded but it is for our benefit and blessing. Surrender to a wonderful walk with Jesus and let His commandments guide you to a deeper, more solid faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. Deuteronomy 8:6

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. — Deuteronomy 6:5

Walk with God

Feb10

  Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. — Genesis 5:24                                                            These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. — Genesis 6:9.                                                                                                                                         Know when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. — Genesis 17:1

Three men are recorded in Genesis as having walked with God.

Not much is known of Enoch except that He walked with God. The only thing we know about him is a little of his lineage and age of fatherhood and how long he walked with God. It must have been quite a walk, certainly daily. On a fateful day his walk with God took him straight home with Him. I wonder if he even noticed or just being in the presence of the Lord was all he focused on and that was enough for him. Oh that we would walk with God as Enoch did — totally focused on our Lord.

Noah walked with God in a time when mankind was very corrupt. Noah had to have stood out in his generation because he was righteous and blameless, so different from everyone else. The contrast between him and his neighbors was obvious and he was ridiculed by them. Noah continued to walk with God and focus on the path God had chosen for Him. God was his strength to endure in fulfilling his call — even when it was extremely tough. Oh that we would walk as Noah did — to accomplish God’s plan for us. Keeping our focus on Him and not the circumstances.

God’s calling on Abram was to walk before Him and be blameless. God had a plan for Abram and knew he would need to walk with Him to accomplish it. We need the Lord. God has a plan for us all but we need Him to achieve it. We cannot walk blameless without Him. We need to walk with God everyday so we can live an abundant effective life.

Three men who walked with God and amazing things happened. Seek Him today and walk with Him every day. Pray to our Lord and read His Word to hear Him. He’s waiting to change your life.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Praise the Word of God

Feb9

I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments. Psalm 119:7

When I learn the righteous judgments of God, I am made right with Him. My heart is upright before My God who deserves to be praised from an upright heart. His Word cleanses me and purifies me to a standard worthy to praise the Almighty Holy God. He has given me His Word to correct my ways, to walk blamelessly before Him and to enjoy His presence. Only those worthy may enter into the presence of God. I am made worthy only through Christ who lives in me and teaches me through His Word.

My joy overflows from the love of God’s Word. That joy needs to be expressed and it is in thanks to the One Who wrote the Book. Worthy is He of all the praise I can muster for His marvelous Word that transforms a loser to a victorious winner, a sinner to reconciliation with The Creator, a heart of hurt to a heart of joy, a garland instead of ashes, oil of gladness instead of mourning, mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. God’s Word is great!!! Read it daily. Meditate on His Word and treasure it in your heart that you may not sin against Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. — Isaiah 61:3

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. — Psalm 119:11

Unashamed

Feb8

Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!  Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments.                                                                                                      — Psalm 119:5-6

Oh, Lord I desire to have my way established by Your Word, my feet to follow in Your way. You have “brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,” of a sinful life and “set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm”. A rock set upon the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ and His Word.

When my steps are established by You, Lord, You are delighted. I surrender my life to You so that You will establish my path. I study Your Word that I may walk, watch the path of my feet for Your glory. “May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed.” In my adherence to Your Word You keep my life and will not allow my feet to slip. 

Thank You, Lord, for giving me life through Jesus and instructions for life through Your Word so that I do not have to live life ashamed. All glory be to God Almighty!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. — Psalm 40:2

Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. — Proverbs 4:26

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. — Psalm 37:23

“He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. — 1 Samuel 2:9

Who keeps us in life And does not allow our feet to slip. — Psalm 66:9

May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, So that I will not be ashamed. — Psalm 119:80

The Word

Feb7

 You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. — Psalm 119:4

God has ordered (commanded) us to keep His precepts (order, guide, instruction) diligently (done or pursued with fervent effort).

With great focus we need to search the Scriptures for our own good. Within the pages of His Word are the instructions for life, our guide for contentment and peace. He commands us to follow and keep His instructions because He loves us and wants the best for us. God “came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven”. He came down — says to me that He wanted to be sure we got the message. He “gave them just ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments.” God’s word is just, true, and good.

The more we persue God’s holy Word the more diligent we are to study because His Word becomes alive right before our eyes. We see God in all His glory. We see His unconditional love for all mankind. We see forgiveness and salvation. We find love, peace, joy and a God who is faithful and trustworthy. To God be the glory forever and ever through His Son Jesus Christ.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. — Deuteronomy 4:13

Then You came down on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven; You gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments. — Nehemiah 9:13

“They”

Feb6

 Yes, they do no unrighteousness [no willful wandering from His precepts]; they walk in His ways. — Psalm 119:3

“They” are the blessed whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord, who observe, or keep, God’s testimonies and who seek Him with all their heart. “They” do no unrighteousness. How can that be if we are all sinners? The difference is whether we willfully sin or realize we have sinned after the fact when the Holy Spirit has convicted us.

Practicing sin or willfully wandering from God’s way (His word: precepts, statutes, testimonies, commandments) is walking in unrighteousness. But those who follow and practice God’s word, practicing a godly lifestyle will walk in righteousness. In other words, to walk the walk of righteousness we must know how to walk.

Seeking God through His word enables us to know His commands so that we can apply them to our lives. The transformation from unrighteousness to righteousness comes from seeking the Lord God with all our heart and searching His word diligently.

Within the pages of the Bible is the way, the truth and the life. That way, truth and life is Jesus, our righteousness. We need Him. So I encourage you to seek Jesus through His word, following His commands by applying them to your life. You will be blessed.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.  — 1 John 3:9

We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him]. — 1 John 5:18