Who Do You Say That I Am?

Jan7

... “But who do you say that I am?” – Mark 8:29

Jesus asked Peter, one of His disciples, this question. In verse 27 Jesus asked Peter, “Who do people say I am?” Could it be that Jesus was pointing out that believing He is the Messiah (Christ) is an individual decision? You can’t get to heaven on your Mom or Dad’s belief, or on the belief of any other person. Accepting Jesus as your Savior is an individual choice to be made. Who do you say that Jesus is? Me? Jesus is my life, the reason I breathe. He is the joy of my heart, the reason I sing and rejoice. He is my Lord, Redeemer, Friend. He is my help, refuge and strength, Comforter, Counselor, Leader. Jesus is my All in all. I could go on but I will close with – He is my HOPE!
I sincerely hope you seek Him so you can know for yourself who Jesus is.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Take Up Your Cross And Follow Me

Jan6

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me”. Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23

Three of the four Gospels has this verse. Would you consider this to be an important statement in being a disciple of Christ? To come after Jesus means to follow Him to your journeys end – heaven. When was the last time you denied yourself for the sake of the kingdom of God? Jesus denied Himself for the sake of the kingdom of God. He took up the cross to His journeys end, Golgotha. Luke’s account says to take up your cross “daily”. Walking your destiny with Christ is a daily thing. We are not perfect but Jesus is and so we need Him daily to help us carry our cross and follow Him. Let this scripture be an encouragement to seek Jesus daily in prayer and Bible study.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Crown of Life

Jan5

Blessed is the 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

That verse is a mouthful. It is filled with so much good stuff but this devotion will focus on God’s promise: ” the crown of life to those who love Him”. God keeps His promises and it takes trials in our lives to show us that His word is faithful. We can count on all his promises by trusting and loving Him. As we trust and love Him, He helps us to persevere and one day, in eternity, we will receive that crown of life because we were steadfast and faithful. (Revelation 2:10)

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Consider It ALL Joy

Jan4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, -James 1:2 mms

The path of life is tough. It is filled with various trials that test us, our faith. Trials are not a joyous occasion. They can be scary, painful, hurtful, trying, challenging, etc. So how am I expected to consider it all joy? By spending time with Jesus because in His presence is “fullness of joy”. (See devotional January 3, 2014) Keeping our focus on Him, seeking Him.

Spending time with Jesus is praying,reading and studying His word and worshipping Him. That is how to seek.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Jesus is Alive in Me

Jan3

I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior in 1975 in Mililani Hawaii. God had already begun a work in me in El Paso Texas.

I was an Army brat (meaning my Dad was career military) and went to church regularly with my Mom and brothers. One day my Mom said that my Dad was due to get orders to go somewhere and asked where I would like to go. Being a teenager I said, “Hawaii”, of course. I was informed that my Dad couldn’t go there because Hawaii didn’t have the type of job my Dad was trained to do. Well, I prayed asking if we could go and God answered that prayer. I believe when we pray according to God’s will He answers (1 John 5:14). He had a plan for me that required me being in Hawaii in 1975 – to accept Him as my eternal Savior.

We got involved in a church right away and they had a special series on the end times and it scared me. I didn’t want to be left behind and not know God. Yes, fear was used to lead me to salvation. God knows best what we will respond to. In the years since God has turned that fear into trust and respect. I admire Jesus’ obedience to the Father by giving His life to pay my debt for all the sin I had, have and will commit in my lifetime. By Jesus’ shed blood (believing that Jesus died for me) I have been made clean from sin and believing that God raised Him from the dead, death has no power over me. I am saved to enjoy eternity with the Almighty God who loves me. I find great comfort and peace in searching His word. Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me and I live in peace, joy and comfort knowing He loves and cares for me.

If you haven’t gotten to know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, let me encourage you to seek Him. His word says in Deuteronomy 4:29 – “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.”

I asked Jesus to be my Savior alone in my bedroom. I confessed that I was a sinner and asked Jesus to forgive me. That simple prayer changed my life. Has my life always been great without troubles? No, but it has been great because I have someone who walks with me everyday and through every situation life throws at me. He is my strength, my peace, my joy, my everything.

May the peace of God be yours as you seek His face.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Joy

Jan3

You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. – Psalm 16:11 

Life is tough. I personally can no longer imagine living, walking the path of life without Jesus. In His presence is the fullness of joy in my life. In His presence I can know the path of life. Unless I spend time with Jesus I cannot know the path He has for me or experience the fullness of his joy. When we don’t walk daily with the Lord, we are missing out on the eternal pleasures He has for us. Don’t miss out – seek Him today and every day.

The tools we use – the Holy Bible and prayer.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

New Year’s Resolution?

Jan2

Psalm 25:1 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

The soul. The life and spirit of each person. So, to lift up my soul to the Lord is to lift up my life, my spirit. Lift or raise as an offering, a sweet aroma to God. An offering, a sacrifice on the altar of God. God desires your free will offering – your life – to be given to Him so He can do a marvelous work in you. The work of restoration of your soul (clean up the gunk and make better) and then His work to the world through you. Are you willing to lift up your soul to the Lord God and be renewed, refreshed, changed for the better? May God lead and bless you and your endeavors to lift up your soul to Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Holidays

Jan1

A time of joy, laughter, family, friends, hustle, bustle, traffic, rushing, pushing, shoving, endless agenda . . . WAIT! What just happened? We try to pack so much into our already busy routine schedules and at the end of it all we find ourselves exhausted, spent, tired, irritable, and overwhelmed. What is the solution? “Cease striving (let go, relax) and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10. The focus is not the holiday but God. The holiday wouldn’t be if not for God. He is to be our focus. Seek Him continuously. My hope is that your New Year focus will be God and his infinite love for you. Happy New Year!

Continuously seeking Him,

Sharon