Is Your Light On?

Jun14

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.14-16.NASB1995

The verse “nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” can be found four times in the Gospels. Matthew 5:15, Mark 4:21, Luke  8:16, and Luke 11:33.

I consider it an important statement if it is mentioned four times. Could it be a  reminder that salvation is more than receiving? That it is about shining the Good News in the lives of others? Jesus is the Light that shines through believers to the world.

I (Jesus) have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.
John 12:46 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.12.46.NASB1995‭

In Him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the Light of men.
John 1:4 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.1.4.NASB1995

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 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.8.12.NASB1995

While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.
John 12:36 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.12.36.NASB1995

so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
Philippians 2:15 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/php.2.15.NASB1995

🌹Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/dan.12.3.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Salt of The Earth

Jun13

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
Matthew 5:13 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.13.NASB1995

‭Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Mark 9:50 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mrk.9.50.NASB1995

Salt in ancient days was used to season, as is today, but it was also used as a preservative.

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt enhances the flavor of food. What a difference we can make with words that enhance another’s life. Words of salvation, kindness, encouragement.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.4.29.NASB1995

Salt preserves food. Believers are to  preserve the truth and goodness in a fallen world.

‭Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Colossians 4:6 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/col.4.6.NASB1995

‭Being the salt of the earth is a big task.
‭
🌹“Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Luke 14:34-35 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.14.34-35.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https:/indasharonjesus.org

Great Reward Awaits

Jun12

He (Jesus) opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
‭Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:2, 12 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.2-12.NASB1995

As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
James 5:10 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.5.10.NASB1995

but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy.
2 Chronicles 36:16 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/2ch.36.16.NASB1995

Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become;
Acts 7:52 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.7.52.NASB1995

‭who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1th.2.15-16.NASB1995

‭We will be persecuted for our faith but hang in there. Praise God we have a home of glory coming!!


‭Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.12.1-3.NASB1995

🌹For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
1 Thessalonians 2:19 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1th.2.19.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Reviled? Blessing!

Jun11

He (Jesus) opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Matthew 5:2, 11 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.11.NASB1995

We live in a world that seems to be disinterested in who Jesus is, what He does, or that He even exists. Sharing the gospel can be received with hostility and because of this God’s people seem to have replaced courage, confidence in the Lord, and being witnesses to the world with fear. But Jesus said, “Fear not for I am with you.” Jesus also warned us of retaliation so we would be prepared and gave us the Holy Spirit to speak through us. Jesus said, “blessed are”, so let us trust His Word!

You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
Matthew 10:22 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.10.22.NASB1995

These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.
John 16:3 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.16.3.NASB1995

but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
1 Peter 4:16 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.4.16.NASB1995

🌹If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Peter 4:14 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.4.14.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Persecuted for Christ

Jun10

He (Jesus) opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying
‭“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:1, 10 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.1-10.NASB1995

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
Peter 3:14 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.3.14.NASB1995

[19] For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
[20] For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
[21] 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,
[22] who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
[23] and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; [24] and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
1 Peter 2:19-24 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.2.19-24.NASB1995

Did you notice in verse 23, ‘Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father’?
Even while suffering he uttered no threats! What an example, of bearing up under persecution, Jesus is for us, and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.

but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
1 Peter 4:16, 19 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.4.16-19.NASB1995

‭we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 16-18 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/2co.4.8-18.NASB1995

The things not seen are eternal. The kingdom awaits the persecuted for the sake of Christ.

🌹Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Salvation Gratitude

Jun7

Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/hab.3.17-18.NASB1995

Even in the midst of turmoil we can rejoice exceedingly with triumphant joy because of our salvation. We are headed to the promised land!!
‭
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.12.2.NASB1995

When was the last time you thanked God for your salvation?

🌹The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,
2 Samuel 22:47 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/2sa.22.47.NASB1995

More beatitudes coming next week.
Have a blessed weekend exalting our God.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Peacemaker Pt. 2

Jun6

He (Jesus) opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying
‭“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:1, 9 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.1-9.NASB1995

Yesterday’s devotion was regarding abiding in Christ, the Holy Spirit living in us. By faith a person is saved, justified, and thereby we have peace with God.

‭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,
John 1:12 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.1.12.NASB1995

for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
Acts 17:28 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.17.28.NASB1995

A child of God is a peacemaker.

So, what is the responsibility of a peacemaker?

To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:79 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.1.79.NASB1995

‭So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
John 20:21 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.20.21.NASB1995

The peacemaker spreads the “Gospel of Peace”.

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
Ephesians 2:14 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.2.14.NASB1995

‭by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
Ephesians 2:15-19 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.2.15-19.NASB1995

So children of God, let us put on gospel shoes and spread the gospel of peace.

‭and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Ephesians 6:15 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/eph.6.15.NASB1995

🌹But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:17-18 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.3.17-18.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Peacemakers Pt. 1

Jun5

He (Jesus) opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying
‭“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:1, 9 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.1-9.NASB1995

Peacemakers abide in Christ. Christian, you have the Holy Spirit abiding in you.
‭‭
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 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.14.26.NASB1995

The Holy Spirit, provides fruit to those who abide in Christ.

‭But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.22.NASB1995

Faith = Peace

‭And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:50 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.7.50.NASB1995

‭Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 5:1 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.5.1.NASB1995

‭What a wonderful gift has been bestowed upon us by Jesus.

🌹Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
John 14:27 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.14.27.NASB1995

‭These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.16.33.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Pure in Heart

Jun4

He (Jesus) opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying
‭“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.8.NASB1995

Is seeing God a desire for you, believer; to see God face to face one day? The day we pass from this world to heaven isn’t the beginning of our seeing God. God is visible in the changed heart of a sinner. He is visible in the sanctifying change in believers. He is visible in answered prayers. He is visible to the pure in heart.

How can a young man (person) keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
Psalms 119:9 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.9.NASB1995

Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it.
Psalms 119:140 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.119.140.NASB1995

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalms 19:8 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.19.8.NASB1995

The Word of God. Reading it, meditating on it, obeying it, applying it. This is beneficial to a pure heart and enlightened eyes.

Prayer is also beneficial for a pure heart. To seek forgiveness, to talk with God about everything. To be thankful for revealing Himself in answered prayers and rejoicingin Him.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalms 51:10 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.51.10.NASB1995

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.1.5.NASB1995
‭
And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1 John 3:3 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1jn.3.3.NASB1995

🌹With the pure You show Yourself pure,
Psalms 18:26a NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.18.26.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
‭https://indasharonjesus.org

The Merciful Receive Mercy

Jun3

He (Jesus) opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Matthew 5:1, 7 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.1-7.NASB1995

God’s mercy opened the door to the inheritance of His kingdom.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 25:34 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.25.34.NASB1995

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:5 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/tit.3.5.NASB1995

And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.
Romans 9:23-24 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.9.23-24.NASB1995

Just as Jesus poured out mercy on you and me, believers in Him, we are to be vessels of His mercy.

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25:35-40 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.25.35-40.NASB1995

Freely you received, freely give.

For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.2.13.NASB1995

The merciful man does himself good (good to his soul), But the cruel man does himself harm (troubles his flesh).
Proverbs 11:17 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.11.17.NASB1995

🌹And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear (revere) Him.
Luke 1:50 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.1.50.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org