Tag Archive | Christian

Devoted to Prayer

Nov4

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. — Acts 1:14

Jesus had just ascended to heaven. The disciples and women who followed Jesus met together to pray. Not just a quick prayer meeting but they devoted themselves to prayer. Devote: to concentrate, to dedicate. Their Master, their Hope had left them after He changed their lives.

Have you been there? Feeling hopeless as if Jesus was no longer in your life? You don’t see His hand at work or feel His presence? Every life endeavor seems more than you can handle? The joy and hope has been sucked from you, leaving you dry? When was the last time you had a heart to heart with Jesus? The last time you bowed down before Him and worshiped Him with no inhibitions, no agenda, just genuine, devoted prayer with the God of the universe?

The participants in this verse devoted themselves to prayer as a group. How often do you attend corporate prayer meetings? “These all with one mind” focused on Jesus brought them together to pray. I believe a church, family, group that prays together will be of like mind. There is only one Holy Spirit and prayer unites those who pray together. If more congregations devoted themselves to prayer there would be less disgruntled people in church. They would be of like mind.

Not only does prayer bring unity but it brings power to accomplish God’s plan for the church, the family, the individual, the group that gathers for God’s purpose. Without prayer our endeavors are weak and many times wasted. We need to go back to the basics of humble prayer and see the power that is there as Jesus answers those prayers.

Are you or will you become devoted?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Times and Epochs

Nov3

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” — Acts 1:7-8

Why are we so concerned with the when of God’s plan instead of just trusting that He has that under control? All we need to be concerned with is walking with Jesus and telling of our experiences on that journey. A deep walk (prayer, Bible study, worship, praise, thankfulness) brings open eyes to the Holy Spirit’s work. We then can tell what we have seen through the power of the Holy Spirit.

So let us focus on Jesus and let the when happen by God’s authority.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Reason to Worship

Nov2

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. — Psalm 103:11-12

IF you need a reason to worship today, this is as good a reason as any.

Thank you Lord for your love and forgiveness. Abounding, sufficient, abundant, bounteous, overflowing, plentiful, huge, generous, exuberant and never ending. You are worthy!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Light

Nov1

Out of the darkness
He transferred me
Into the light
Of His majesty

There in the Light
I long to be
Dwelling with Christ
For His glory

Basking in the Light
His radiance shines
Through me to others
For transformation divine

The Light came to darkness
So we could be saved
For the work of the Lord
Let it continue today

Keep the darkness at bay
As you travel today
Following His Word
And continue to pray

I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. — John 12:46

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; — 1 Peter 2:9

For so the Lord has commanded us,
‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles,
That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’” — Acts 13:47
to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ — Acts 26:18

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 5:16

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Concerning Grace

Oct31

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! — Romans 6:14-15

May it never be!? But don’t we take advantage of God’s grace? A gift through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Himself! And then knowingly, blatantly sin, making excuses for our sin? It’s as if we are mocking Him and spitting on Him*.

Let me give you an example that I was convicted by.
[Be Subject to Government] Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1)

Does that include the speed limit? “It’s okay to go over by 5 mph because the police won’t stop you for that”. Doesn’t “Go with the flow of traffic” sound the same as saying “everyone else is doing it”? Are the police our authority or is God and His Word? (If God and His Word, then we ultimately obey the police and the law of the land).

There are many more examples as we travel through our day when we have opportunity to obey or take advantage of God’s grace by not living up to God’s standard but the standard of man. Hopefully we are now more aware of our responsibility concerning the wonderful, sacrificial gift of grace.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

*Mark 10:34

Student See, Student Do

Oct30

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. — Colossians 3:12-15

Through the Word of God (Bible) we see Jesus. He is compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. He is forgiving and loving. It is only through Christ that His church is unified and it is only in following Him, learning His attributes and practicing them that we can experience the peace of Christ.

Jesus our example, the Holy Spirit our teacher. As we draw closer to Jesus Christ, study His Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and learn, we will reflect the character of our teacher. We will reflect Jesus to others.

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. — Galatians 6:6-8

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Greatest Thing In All My Life: Serving You

Oct29

Mark Pendergrass
The greatest thing in all my life is serving You.
The greatest thing in all my life is serving You.
I want to serve You more; I want to serve you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is serving You.

http://music4christ.cjb.net

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. — 1 Peter 4:10-11

serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; — Acts 20:19

not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; — Romans 12:11

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; — Romans 12:6-11

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Greatest Thing In All My Life: Loving You

Oct28

Mark Pendergrass
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You.
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You.
I want to love You more; I want to love you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You.

http://music4christ.cjb.net

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” — Luke 10:27

by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” — Deuteronomy 30:20

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, — Daniel 9:4

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Greatest Thing In All My Life: Knowing You

Oct27

Mark Pendergrass
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You.
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You.
I want to know You more; I want to know you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You.

Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; — Deuteronomy 7:9

Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. — Psalm 91:14

Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. — Psalm 73:25

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God. — Psalm 42:1

With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments. — Psalm 119:10

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Psalm, Hymns and Thanks

Oct26

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; — Ephesians 5:19-20

Today is the perfect opportunity to do this. Hope you have the chance to worship God with others in unity to the praise and glory of our Lord.

God bless your Sabbath day.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon