Mirror of Christ

Jun19

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer (a doer of a work), this man will be blessed in what he does (his doing).
James 1:23-25 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.23-25.NASB1995

Are we hearers of the word, who read the word out of duty, so we can check the box of religious obedience? Do we go out into the world and forget to Whom we belong? The One Whom we represent?

As doers of the word we have a responsibility to read, meditate, and practice the word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Just as Jesus mirrored the Father, we are the mirror of God to others. Do others see the Light of Jesus in us? Are our words, actions, deeds leading others to Christ? By the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us we will be an effectual doer.

Put the word into practice otherwise it is forgotten.

🌹But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.16.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Doers of The Word

Jun18

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
James 1:22 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.22.NASB1995

Jesus speaking:
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6:46-49 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.6.46-49.NASB1995

This life we live is not easy. It is far from perfect. But God. His Word is truth to live by. His word of truth protects, guides, strengthens, encourages, and opens our eyes to Him. Our Protector, Provider, Guide, Friend, Support, Love, and the list goes on . . . gave us His word to know Him and live out His Word in our lives. As in any relationship, time spent getting to know one another is essential. Without God’s word in our heart, on our mind, and living out the word of God we will not be justified.

🌹 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
Romans 2:13 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.2.13.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

A Longing For The Word

Jun17

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness (abundance of malice), in humility (gentleness) receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
James 1:21 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.21.NASB1995

I have made a habit of asking God – in prayer, before picking up His word – for Him to reveal any wicked way in me so I may confess and seek forgiveness. It is humbling to go to the throne of God and confess wrong doing in my life, but O the benefit to receive the word implanted which is saving my soul. The working out of my salvation which is impossible without God.

🌹Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
1 Peter 2:1-2 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.2.1-2.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Listen Before You Speak

Jun16

This you know (know this), my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.19-20.NASB1995

Continuing speaking on the subject of trials we know we must encounter them with joy (James 1:2), but we must also be quick to listen, to hear what is really being spoken, to get full understanding.
A person who talks too much gets into trouble. A wise person learns to be quiet. The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet for the one who controls his lips is wise. (Proverbs 10:19)
In the quiet you will be taking time to allow God through His Spirit to give you the words to speak.
So don’t allow your spirit to be provoked, causing anger to settle in you. Don’t be quick to lose your temper, for outrage is embraced by fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

🌹for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
Luke 12:12 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.12.12.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Bless The Lord!

Jun13

Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
Psalms 103:1-2 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.103.1-2.NASB1995

Oh the joy of knowing God. The blessing of walking with Him daily. The benefit of His wisdom and counsel. Knowing that whatever we go through He is right there, for He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. Bless the Lord!

🌹Bless the Lord, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Psalms 103:22 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.103.22.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Spiritual Blessing

Jun12

Do not be deceived (misled), my beloved brethren.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
James 1:16-17 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.16-17.NASB1995

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above.”

The gift of salvation:
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.3.3.NASB1995

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.1.12-13.NASB1995

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.1.3.NASB1995

The gift of wisdom:
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
James 3:17 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.3.13-17.NASB1995

The gift of light given to us by the Father of Lights:
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/1jn.1.5.NASB1995

These are but a few of the gifts God has for His children.

In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
James 1:18 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.18.NASB1995

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. . .
Ephesians 1:4 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.1.4.NASB1995

🌹Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Ephesians 1:3 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.1.3.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Do Not Be Deceived

Jun11

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
James 1:13-15 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.13-15.NASB1995

Lust: an intense desire, craving, yearning for . . . our own way; our desire; craving the things of this world instead of God’s kingdom.

Seeking our own desires is lust. When our lust is played out it becomes sin and if our sin is not dealt with, our sin will lead to death.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
1 Corinthians 6:9a NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/1co.6.9.NASB1995

They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity, And their mind prepares deception.”
Job 15:35 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/job.15.35.NASB1995

🌹As born-again Christians we are to confess the lusts of our heart, before it turns into a sin, then be seeking God’s kingdom and His desire for us.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
James 1:16 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.16.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Press On

Jun10

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved (passed the test), he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.12.NASB1995

Trials are a fact of life. There is not one person who is exempt. But as Christians we grow through trials. They strengthen us, making us more dependant on our Lord Jesus as we persevere for His namesake. May we consider ourselves blessed as Jesus spoke of in Luke 6.

Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.
Luke 6:22-23 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.6.22-23.NASB1995

So, keeping our eyes on the One who knows us best . . .

press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/php.3.14.NASB1995

🌹but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/1co.2.9.NASB1995

Praise the Lord!

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

What Are You Pursuing?

Jun9

But the brother (church member) of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
James 1:9 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.9.NASB1995

What “high position” is that? It is not our social status, but that we are a child of God, an heir. Are we taking great delight in our high position, living in His glory?

and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass (the flower of the grass) he will pass away.
James 1:10 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.10.NASB1995

Just as the man of “humble circumstances” will pass away, so will the rich man. His humiliation is to know that he is a sinner and without Christ, the only thing he is worthy of is eternal death. Without Jesus we are all dead. The pursuit of God should outweigh the pursuit of wealth, fame, comfort in this life.

For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.
James 1:11 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.11.NASB1995

🌹What, or should I say, ‘Who are we pursuing’ this side of eternity?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Do I? Do We?

Jun6

I usually like to share scripture of praise on Fridays. This week I was led to Psalm 145. I have to tell you, I felt very convicted.

Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Psalms 145:2 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.145.2.NASB1995

Everyday? Do I?

One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.
Psalms 145:4 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.145.4.NASB1995

Do we?

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
Psalms 145:5 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.145.5.NASB1995

Do we? Is this daily or just on Sunday?

Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness.
Psalms 145:6 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.145.6.NASB1995

Do we? Ever? Occasionally? Everyday?

They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
Psalms 145:7 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.145.7.NASB1995

Do we? Or is this another, just on Sunday thing?

All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, And Your godly ones shall bless You.
Psalms 145:10 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.145.10.NASB1995

How often in a day do we give thanks to our Lord? Do we bless Him?

They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom And talk of Your power; To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
Psalms 145:11-12 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.145.11-12.NASB1995

This one hits hard. Do we speak of our Lord to others? If only . . .

My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.
Psalms 145:21 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.145.21.NASB1995

Our God is faithful despite our ways. Let us call upon His mercy and tell of His greatness, power and truth. May He move through us for His glory.

🌹The Lord is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.
Psalms 145:17-18 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.145.17-18.NASB1995

Praise God for His Word that convicts and changes our perspective. Have a blessed weekend.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org