Tag Archive | Bible

Disciple

Jan8

Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.
Genesis 22:7‭-‬8 NASB

Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
Genesis 22:9‭-‬10 NASB

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
Genesis 22:11‭-‬12 NASB

Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.
Genesis 22:13 NASB

Just as God the Father provided Jesus as the sacrifice for us, He provided a substitute for Issac. Out of Jesus’s great love for the Father and mankind He willingly sacrificed His life for you, for us.

Abraham’s obedience was to God no matter the cost. God desires our obedience to Him but we also need to remember that He is a loving, righteous God. The situation was never the cost of Isaac’s life or for Abraham to murder his son but to show Abraham the cost of following God.

🌹 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (by comparison of his love for Me) his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:26 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

God Has a Plan, He Always Does PT. 3

Jan7

Daniel answered before the king and said, “As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed.
Daniel 2:27‭-‬28 NASB

What a revelation for king Nebuchadnezzar when Daniel interpreted the dream and stated where the answer came from. What glory is given to God by Daniel. God has a plan to make Himself known and for His people to bring Him glory in their words, actions and obedience.

Humbly Daniel speaks. . .

But as for me, this mystery has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than in any other living man, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.
Daniel 2:30 NASB

What is the result of a humble heart that seeks to speak the gospel truth and glory to God?

The king answered Daniel and said, “Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
Daniel 2:47 NASB

🌹What great joy there is in humble obedience to God and being used by Him to fulfill His purpose and will. Are you living God’s plan?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

God Has a Plan, He Always Does PT. 2

Jan6

As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.
Daniel 1:17 NASB

God has a plan, He always does. King Nebuchadnezzar thought he was grooming Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to serve Him but actually God grooms His children for His purpose and will to be done. From where did these youth receive knowledge and intelligence? Right, God Himself.
The king had a dream that was disturbing him and he wanted an interpretation.

The king replied to the Chaldeans, “The command from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb and your houses will be made a rubbish heap. But if you declare the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and a reward and great honor; therefore declare to me the dream and its interpretation.” They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will declare the interpretation.”
Daniel 2:5‭-‬7 NASB

The king wasn’t going to take any guessing. This was serious business. When Daniel, being part of the designated group of the king’s consultants, heard about it he immediately did something we should all apply to our lives.

Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
Daniel 2:17‭-‬18 NASB

Daniel went to his church family so together they could pray for God’s wisdom and intervention.

Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”
Daniel 2:20‭-‬23 NASB

🌹 Where do you go when you need fears relieved, courage to face those fears, answers to life issues, etc.? I hope it is God in prayer with fellow church family members.

Tomorrow, the dream revealed.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

God Has a Plan, He Always Does Part 1

Jan5

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, youths in whom was no defect, who were good-looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king’s court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service.
Daniel 1:3‭-‬5 NASB

King Nebuchadnezzar had a world view of what was success. Respect, deserving of honor and wisdom by his standard.
God had a plan, He always does, and He made sure that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah met the king’s criteria.

The king was offering paid education, gourmet food and a career when groomed for the king’s benefit.

But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.
Daniel 1:8 NASB

🌹What are you willing to sacrifice for the world’s idea of success? Your walk with the Lord? The choice morsels of God’s word? What are you willing to compromise? Steadfastness, full surrender to God’s will?

Tomorrow we will look at where real success comes from.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

How Do You Know?

Jan4

And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?
Luke 1:43 NASB

How did Elizabeth know Mary was pregnant with her Lord?

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:41 NASB
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And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,  “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word;  For my eyes have seen Your salvation, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
Luke 2:27‭-‬30‭, ‬32 NASB

How did Simeon know Jesus was the prophesied Savior?

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Luke 2:25‭-‬26 NASB
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At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:38 NASB

How did the widow who resided at the temple know Jesus was the Redeemer?

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.
Luke 2:36‭-‬37 NASB
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🌹 How do you know that Jesus is the your Lord, Savior, Redeemer? More importantly, do you?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Not I, But Christ

Dec31

Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.
Psalms 31:5 NASB

And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.
Luke 23:46 NASB

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Galatians 2:20 NASB

O love the Lord, all you His godly ones! The Lord preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer. Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Lord.
Psalms 31:23‭-‬24 NASB

🌹Ransomed. Who lives in you?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Are You Ready?

Dec30

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.
Revelation 22:12 NASB

“I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.
Jeremiah 17:10 NASB

For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.
Matthew 16:27 NASB

🌹 Jesus is coming quickly and His reward is with Him. Are you ready?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Continually Before Me

Dec29

I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.     Psalms 16:8‭-‬9 NASB

I will not be shaken. My heart is glad and my glory rejoices. Why? Because I have set the Lord continually before me. My hope is found in the Holy One, Jesus, who did not undergo decay but was raised from the grave that could not hold Him and He opened the way for mankind to experience the same.

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. Psalms 16:10 NASB

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.  Psalms 16:11 NASB

🌹 When Jesus is at our right hand there are pleasures forever. Peace, gladness, joy, hope. Available when we set the Lord continually before us.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Praise the Lord!

Dec28

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!

Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!

Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord , For He commanded and they were created. He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass away.

Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; Mountains and all hills; Fruit trees and all cedars; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged fowl; Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; Both young men and virgins; Old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven. And He has lifted up a horn for His people, Praise for all His godly ones; Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the Lord!   Psalms 148:1‭-‬14 NASB

🌹Let your heart rejoice today in praise to the Lord! The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Gathering

Dec24

How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.       Psalms 84:1‭-‬2‭, ‬4‭, ‬10 NASB

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20 NASB

not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.   Hebrews 10:25 NASB

My husband and I did some deliveries to homebound brothers and sisters yesterday and spent some time visiting. Our intention was to make the delivery and hopefully encourage those who we saw BUT I do believe that I was more encouraged and spirit lifted than they were.

What a blessing it is to spend time with the people of God. To speak of Jesus, His work in our lives, the lives of our love ones, to praise His mighty works, to encourage and be encouraged.

This morning my heart is joyful, content, at peace and believe it is because I dwelt in the courts of the Lord. Dwelt with God’s people where God is in the midst of our conversation, our small gathering. To God be the glory for His church.

As we celebrate around the world the birth of Jesus on December 25th, let us praise and thank Him for His church, the people of God, to whom He came to establish for His glory and purpose.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.    Isaiah 9:6 NASB

🌹 Have a very Merry Christmas!

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon