Tag Archive | Christian

No Fear, Only Hope

Nov9

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 NASB

Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.  Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.      John 16:20‭, ‬22 NASB

Even though this word was written at a time when Jesus was talking to His disciples about His leaving to return to the Father, it is still pertinent today. God’s word transcends time to speak to all generations.

We may be facing a time in our lives of personal weeping and lamenting. We also may  be facing a time in history when we will be weeping and lamenting the times we have had freedom from ridicule and persecution as a Christian.

But GOD!!! Hallelujah, but God. . .

He has given us peace that the world cannot comprehend. We have the promise that Jesus “will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”

So as the world rejoices while we weep and lament over the depravity in the world, let us hold fast to the promises of God and be at peace.

🌹 No fear, no troubled heart. Only hope.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Love One Another

Oct29

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 NASB

but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me. Get up, let us go from here.   John 14:31 NASB

This I command you, that you love one another.   John 15:17 NASB

Jesus kept the commandments of the Father to show the world His love for the Father. He has commanded His disciples to love one another. By this love for one another all mankind will know we are God’s disciples.

🌹 Are you demonstrating God’s love to the world by obeying His command to love your fellow brothers and sisters?

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.              John 15:11 NASB

Did It or Not To Me

Oct27

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 25:40 NASB

Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ Matthew 25:45 NASB

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:46 NASB

God is all about people. He created them. He pursues a relationship with them. He pours out blessings on those who are His.

Since God is all about people, should we not also be?

During this time of Covid, many people are isolated in their homes with little to no human contact. Have we checked on our brothers and sisters who are not gathering with us for church? Do we take the time to “do for one of these”?

🌹Who has God placed on your heart, in your mind to reach out to? “to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

In the Know

Oct26

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Mark 13:31, Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33 NASB

But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance. Mark 13:5 NASB

The Word of God: preparation and awareness of what is to come.

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. Mark 13:23, Matthew 24:4 NASB

The Word of God: truth that keeps you from being misled.

Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.  This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12‭-‬14 NASB

The Word of God: encouragement to endure to the end. Knowledge and motivation to share the gospel. Opportunity .  .  .

It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. Luke 21:13‭ NASB

But understanding of the Word of God can only come by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

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 NASB

🌹Have you received the Holy Spirit? If so, what priority is the Word of God in your life? “behold, I have told you everything in advance.“

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 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Faithful

Oct21

As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”  Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.                          Luke 18:35‭-‬43 NASB

“Lord, I want to regain my sight”.

This man had lost his sight, for you can’t regain something you never had.

Haven’t we all been there? Lost sight of our way? Lost the intimacy we have had with Jesus in the past?

This man was persistent to get the attention of Jesus even while those around him

“were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more”. And those trying to keep him quiet were leaders. “Those who led the way”.

By his faithfulness he pursued Jesus. By his faithfulness his eyes were opened. By his faithfulness he followed Jesus. But even greater than all this “when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.”

Your faithfulness is seen by many.

🌹Are you faithfully following Jesus? Do others see Jesus in you? If not it is time to ask for Jesus to “to regain my sight!” Then be faithful to follow.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Prayer Connection

Oct16

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:12

And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:31

What is the connection between prayer and the movement of the Holy Spirit?

Without God we are unable to accomplish His work, will, plan. Without Him we are unable to bring glory to His name. Without Him we are nothing.

Prayer in the Holy Spirit connects us to the One Holy God. In Him we are transformed into the image of Christ. In Him we are revived. In Him we are taught, guided, empowered so that we can speak the word of God, share the gospel, with boldness.

🌹 How is your prayer life?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Worship Leads To . . .

Oct12

Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Psalms 96:2 NASB

“Proclaim good tidings”, good news, “of His salvation”. How good are we at doing that? Do we proclaim the gospel “from day to day”?

If we are honest many of us have never even shared the gospel. We trust the church to do that so we invite people to church.

Could there be a missing link as to why we don’t share?

“Sing to the Lord, bless His name”.

🌹How is your prayer life? Where is your main focus directed throughout your day? Is worship of God a priority in your life? Do you have a personal, intimate, real relationship with Almighty God?

Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
Psalms 100:4 NASB

If you do you will experience Him and be filled up with His Holy Spirit. Under the Holy Spirit’s guidance you can’t help but proclaim Jesus Christ.

🌹How is your relationship with God. He calls us to proclaim His gospel.

And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Luke 10:2; Matthew 9:37-38 NASB

You might want to read Psalm 71 while contemplating the connection of the worship of God leading to proclaiming salvation to the lost.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Disciple

Sep14

And they spent a long time with the disciples. Acts 14:28 NASB

From the moment we are born we begin to learn. Learn to eat, walk, talk, etc.

Disciple: A student, learner.

Within 2 years of a child’s life, he learns all the basics that over time are fine tuned. Christians are the same way. For years we have prayed, hoped, and got excited about people coming to know the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Many have come to that decision and yet our churches are dwindling in numbers. Why?

Could it be that we have left these Christian babies to fend for themselves? We introduce them to the Savior and then expect them to survive in a hostile world with satan who seeks to devour them. They need instruction. They need to be mentored by a mature Christian who can show them the ropes.

Discipling someone is taking the time (long time) to mentor them in how to seek the Lord, teaching them the spiritual disciplines, encouraging them in their walk, listening, answering their questions, being their friend. It costs to disciple. It cost Jesus His life so that we may be discipled by the Holy Spirit. He discipled 12 who could carry on.

🌹Can we disciple one? Is there someone in your life you could disciple? Would you pray for someone that you could disciple? The answer may not come right away, but God has someone for you to disciple or He would not have commanded us to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Willing?

Jul17

For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing,
Isaiah 30:15 NASB

Where is your trust centered?

Yourself? Your job/career? Your government? Your family? Ect.

There is only One who can be truly and fully trusted BUT are you willing?

First and foremost you must repent, that is to turn from your will and ways – self centeredness – and follow and seek God’s will and His way. It is there where you can find rest and peace.

THEN

🌹Get to know the One who can be trusted, through prayer, the reading and studying of His word, and in the fellowship of other believers you will be strengthened. Seek Him.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Have You Been There?

Jan13

Coming before the Lord with a heart so heavily burdened?

Believing you have been called for “such a time as this”? (Esther 4:14)

Questioning the calling because things aren’t going according to your plan?

But because you made the right choice to go before the Lord, you find encouragement and affirmation?

The battle belongs to the Lord and His will be done. During my quiet time this morning, the thought came to mind that I need to put on the armor of God. My additional “going deeper” passages for the day included Ephesians 6:11:

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

His Word still speaks today to burdened hearts. Seek Him. I now face this day without the burden, encouraged, and knowing without a doubt I am right where God has placed me for such a time as this.

Be blessed. Seek Jesus!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon