Tag Archive | Bible

Obedience Required

Aug28

Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I make the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations which they have committed.
Ezekiel 33:29 NASB

Ezekiel, under the direction of God, spoke to the Israel nation warning them to obey God’s command and turn back to Him.

What is a Pastor? A man called of God to speak His word. Both Prophet and Pastor are called to speak God’s word.

Our responsibility is to listen and obey. We are blessed at this period of time to have God’s written word and the Holy Spirit to be able to discern the truth coming from the mouth of a Pastor. Is it truth? If you are reading your Bible and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will be able to accurately discern the truth.

What is your habit of church attendance? Is your Bible open? Are you relying upon the Holy Spirit to discern the words? Are you listening and ready to obey?

Or are you just attending for the sake of attending?

“But as for you, son of man, your fellow citizens who talk about you by the walls and in the doorways of the houses, speak to one another, each to his brother, saying, ‘Come now and hear what the message is which comes forth from the Lord.’ They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain.
Ezekiel 33:30‭-‬31 NASB

🌹”They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them”
Obedience requires action.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Do Not Fear

Aug26

Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the Lord. We lift up our heart and hands Toward God in heaven; We have transgressed and rebelled, You have not pardoned.
Lamentations 3:40‭-‬42 NASB

“We lift up our heart and hands toward God in heaven;”. Do we? With repentant hearts or with raging fists?

Nothing happens without the approval and working of the Lord God. He did not make all of creation, including people, and then not involve Himself in His creation. As you look around what do you see? Are we looking for pardon yet living our lives as if our Creator has no say or part in where we go, what we do? If so, we need to “examine and probe our ways”. When we do we will find that we need to return to the Lord.

God is patient not wanting anyone to perish but He is also holy and just and will not allow us to continue in disobedience to Him.

Now is the time to seek the Lord with repentant hearts, turning to Him, crying out to God who can redeem you and give you peace even when the rebellious world around you is falling apart.

You have heard my voice, “Do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief, From my cry for help.” You drew near when I called on You; You said, “Do not fear!” O Lord, You have pleaded my soul’s cause; You have redeemed my life.
Lamentations 3:56‭-‬58 NASB

🌹Are you experiencing peace, content in the Lord or are you walking with and looking like the world around you?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

For Debbie B.

Aug21

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.                     Jeremiah 17:7‭-‬8 NASB

Sometimes we have to face the heat of unexpected, unwanted circumstances. Fear can grip us, immobilize, and draw us to a dark place.

But God. . . Jesus. Light of the world who makes the darkness light. He is Almighty God. He knows us intimately. Our every hurt, fear, joys, ups, downs – our every thought, our very soul. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

That is why we can trust Him. That is why trusting Him is peace for the soul. Dig deep into the sweet water of His word, flowing with wisdom, peace, the revelation of God Himself.

As we trust God, especially in the heat, we can be fruitful. Peace beyond the world’s understanding shines the Light for others to see God as we trust in Him.

🌹 Trust and obey.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Feast on Jesus

Aug12

“Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”
Jeremiah 15:16 NASB

Jesus is the word made flesh.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NASB

Jesus is the bread of life.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35 NASB

God calls us to grace and mercy found and granted by Him alone. Called unto salvation. Called to a loving relationship with Him. Called to obedience that exudes out of our love for Him.

Are you missing the joy and delight of the Lord? If so, could it be that you are starving yourself?

He said to me, “Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you.” Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth. Ezekiel 3:3 NASB

The word of God is important to our spiritual health. Without the word to nourish our souls we are walking a misdirected path in weakness and Ill health. Just as our physical bodies need nourishment so does our spiritual bodies.

Let us not neglect the importance of God’s word. Feed in it daily. Chew on it throughout the day.

God’s word keeps us on the straight and narrow.

“I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
Job 23:12 NASB

“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalms 119:103 NASB

Feast on His word everyday. Not only will they be sweet to the soul but you will get to know just how sweet our Lord is.

🌹 “O taste and see that the Lord is good;” Psalm 34:8

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

What Are You Professing?

Aug6

They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.         Titus 1:16 NASB

What are people in the world seeing in you? Do they see themselves? Living life in discontent, fear, greed, selfishness, pride, disobedience?

Or do they see Jesus? Contentment, peace, godliness, righteousness, giving, loving, mercy, grace, obedience – the qualities of Christ living, abiding in you?

Is God’s word planted in your heart? Is He your constant companion? Are you fully aware of His presence throughout your day? Are you clothed in His righteousness? Obedient at all cost to His will, His plan, His purpose?

The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 1 John 2:4 NASB

A sure gauge, plumbline to assess ourselves. Jesus is the Truth. If He is abiding in you then obedience to God will be evident. The Holy Spirit enables us to be obedient to His word, His commandments, His will and His purpose.

Without Him we are nothing, able to do nothing. With Christ in us we are able to be content whatever the situation, be fearless in the unknown because we are secure in the One who knows all and able to be obedient.

🌹 Are others seeing Jesus in you?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Enduring Word

Aug5

“In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord , saying, “Take a scroll and write on it all the words which I have spoken to you concerning Israel and concerning Judah, and concerning all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day. Perhaps the house of Judah will hear all the calamity which I plan to bring on them, in order that every man will turn from his evil way; then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote on a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord which He had spoken to him.” Jeremiah 36:1‭-‬4 NASB

God spoke. His word is written. God’s Word was read to the people and finally made its way to the king.

“Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month, with a fire burning in the brazier before him. When Jehudi had read three or four columns, the king cut it with a scribe’s knife and threw it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier.”
Jeremiah 36:22‭-‬23 NASB

The Word of God burned in the fire even way back then and yet His Word is still alive today.

“Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the son of Neriah, the scribe, and he wrote on it at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire; and many similar words were added to them.” Jeremiah 36:32 NASB

Plant God’s word in your mind and heart and His word will endure in you. Reading, meditating on, memorizing. The Holy Spirit knows the word and will bring it to mind when needed as you walk and abide in the Lord.

Plant it so deep that you would be like Jeremiah. Not being able to hold back from proclaiming God’s word.

“But if I say, “I will not remember Him Or speak anymore in His name,” Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it.”
Jeremiah 20:9 NASB

🌹What is worse than Bibles being burned? Dusty Bibles on the shelf that are never opened.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Jul30

“Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, The fruit of their plans, Because they have not listened to My words, And as for My law, they have rejected it also.” Jeremiah 6:19 NASB

Events in the Bible are unfolding right before our eyes. God speaks through His word. He speaks truth, His desire and instruction for mankind. But if we do not spend time in His word we live a misdirected life. We live “The fruit of their (our) plans”. We reject God when we are not living by His standard found in His word.

“Go, inquire of the Lord for me and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book which has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord which is poured out on us because our fathers have not observed the word of the Lord, to do according to all that is written in this book.”
thus says the Lord, “Behold, I am bringing evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the curses written in the book which they have read in the presence of the king of Judah. Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place and it shall not be quenched.”
2 Chronicles 34:21, 24‭-‬25‭ NASB/
2 Kings 22:13, 16‭-‬17‭ NASB

It is not my intent to bring doom and gloom, but to bring your heart back to a personal, intimate relationship with God so you may be strengthened to fulfill His plan, His will, His purpose. God’s blessing will be upon you.

Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the Lord.
2 Chronicles 34:27/2 Kings 22:19

🌹He is listening. Spend time in prayer. Spend time in His word. Ask God to increase your faith.

Here is an encouraging word:

‘Do you not fear Me?’ declares the Lord . ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it. Jeremiah 5:22 NASB

He tells the waves how far they can go! He is in full control of all that is happening in your life. He can be trusted. Will you surrender to His will today?

The LORD Spoke

Jul28

The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.
2 Chronicles 33:10 NASB

These are some of the saddest words. “The Lord spoke but no one paid attention”.

THE LORD SPOKE BUT NO ONE PAID ATTENTION!

Do you hear the Lord speaking today? Your Creator speaks. He speaks by means of His Holy Spirit through the word (Bible), prayer (conversation with the Lord) and events happening around. Look around you. What do you see? Has God’s church, His people, turned their backs to Him? Sought their own way?

“Have you not done this to yourself By your forsaking the Lord your God When He led you in the way? Jeremiah 2:17 NASB

God’s church needs to return to Him. His way. His will be done. Bow down before our God in repentance and seek Him. God demands our full allegiance. He desires our complete surrender to His will, purpose and way. He desires to bless His people.

When he (Manasseh) prayed to Him (God), He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.
2 Chronicles 33:13 NASB

🌹Do you truly know the Lord God? If not, today is the day of surrender to Him.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Foundation

Jul21

“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. Luke 6:46‭-‬48 NASB

How are you holding up? All of us face challenges, tribulations, disappointments at sometime along the journey of life. What is your foundation built upon? Is it strong enough to face the floods and storms of life? We call out to the Lord but are we standing on his word? Do we seek him every day? Are we building on the foundation that is laid in Jesus Christ?

Obedience to the word of God is the building on the foundation of Jesus Christ. If you are not obeying then you are not building and your foundation slips away and is weak. To be obedient, we must be reading, believing and obeying the word of God.

🌹Stand strong in the Word of God built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

WISE WORDS

Jun22

The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
Ecclesiastes 12:11‭-‬13 NASB


God uses wise people to prod others to seek Him. He is the master of their works. Hopefully this is true. There are many Christian writers out there.

Christian books everywhere. “The writing of many books is endless”. Have you ever stood in a Christian Bookstore and gazed at book after book after book and feel exhausted in your search?

How do you know what book to choose?

Solomon advises: “fear God and keep His commandments”. Why? Because they apply to all people. A book that I read may be just what I need but it will not be what you need. The Bible is what we all need. It is written for all people.

The Bible should also be first choice so that in the reading of other books you have discernment as to what is truth. Just because a book is labeled “Christian” does not mean that it holds to the truth of the word of God.

Bottom line, “fear God and keep His commandments”. If you’re not reading the Bible you don’t know His commandments nor the God who wrote it.

🌹Make daily reading and meditation upon the Word of God a priority. You will not be disappointed.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon