Tag Archive | faith

Things Above

Jun30

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. — Colossians 3:1-2

Have you been raised up with Christ?  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him (Jesus)  from the dead.  (Colossians 2:12) Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins, was buried and then rose from the grave by the power of  God? By faith you have been saved.

Can you say,“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) Are you seeking and setting your mind on the things above, where Christ is?  God’s transforming power begins in our lives at the moment of salvation. He will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:21)  It is a continual process. We must seek and set our minds on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. The things that are of interest to God, not man.* God’s will, His purpose and His glory.

Our very life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is our life. He is worthy to be praised and glorified because He is God. That should be enough but we also carry a gratitude for His amazing love for us. Isn’t He worth our seeking Him. Isn’t He worth setting our minds on His will and purpose? Isn’t He worthy to be glorified?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

*Matthew 16:23

The Promise of His Promises

Jun24

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. — 2 Peter 1:4

God’s promises come with a promise. God is so awesome! By His precious and magnificent promises we may become partakers of the divine nature. The likeness of God created in righteousness and holiness of the truth is in the new self we put on with the trusting acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior in our lives. We share His holiness. Isn’t that reason enough to trust in His promises? We are blessed beyond comprehension by the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s time to trust in those promises of God. His promises.

Let our trusting faith in His promises help us to grow in our faith until the day He calls us home. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. — 1 John 3:2

What a glorious day that will be. In the meantime seek the Lord and His strength while He can be found.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. — Ephesians 4:24

For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. — Hebrews 12:10

Blessed Is The One Who Is Forgiven

Jun13

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! — Psalm 32:1

How true a verse this is. Forgiveness of sin brings salvation, eternity in a relationship with Almighty God through Jesus Christ. From forgiveness comes confidence that we can walk our journey not worrying about stumbling because we are already forgiven. Forgiveness brings us boldly to the throne of God because we know He is a compassionate, forgiving God who accepts us.  Forgiveness gives us courage to venture out into faith knowing that when we make a mistake we are forgiven. Knowing we are forgiven lifts the burden of an unintentional sinful act that is weighing us down.

All sin covered by the blood of Jesus. Forgiveness is free for the asking and accepting of the gift of forgiveness.  That is the key. Sometimes we fall short of the glory of God but we don’t accept the forgiveness of God because we can’t forgive ourselves. If God has forgiven then we need to forgive. Why? Because blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Thank God for His tremendous blessing of forgiveness!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Describe What Great Things God Has Done

May23

 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. — Luke 8:39

Do you have a testimony to share with someone today? Has God done anything for you today?

Sharing our testimony of faith is more than sharing how we came to know God through Jesus Christ by believing in Him and confessing our sins. It is wonderful to accept Jesus as our Savior but our testimonies of faith get better and better as years go by when we focus on our relationship with Jesus.

Walking with Jesus everyday and seeing how He is at work gives us a voice to share with others. If we are not drawing near to the Lord we are not seeing Him at work. Drawing near allows our eyes to see the things He sees, to have the mind of Christ, and experience the joy of the walk. It is hard to keep quiet when we are overjoyed by something. When awesome things happen in our lives we are quick to share the good news. It should be the same with our walk with Jesus. When we keep seeking Him daily we experience Him daily and so in turn we have something to share daily. The challenge is to be able to share something everyday.

Jesus told the man to return to his house and describe what great things God has done for him but he went proclaiming throughout the whole city. That is the effect of Jesus on your life when you are surrendered to His will in your life. You can’t contain yourself. You need to share the great things He has done. To God be the glory!!!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Go!?

May15

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; — Genesis 12:1
So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. — Genesis 12:4

Have you been sent by the Lord to an unknown place with nothing more than the instruction to “go”?  First I see here that I would need to hear what the Lord said. That will take my being attentive to the relationship with Jesus. I need to be consistent in my intent to know Him better. With this I will be more apt to hear Him when He instructs.

Next I see that I would need to do something with the instructions I’ve been given. Obedience is the next step when hearing the Word of the Lord. Abram was instructed to leave country, relatives, even His father’s house to go to a land that God would show Him. God did not tell Him to go to such and such a place but said that I will show you. Abram was also well along in life. I am sure he was well established and comfortable in his surroundings and life. When we are set in our ways it is even harder to hear and obey when God says to go but we can when we are surrendered to this wonderful faith in Jesus Christ, totally trusting in God.

The biggest step is the one when we say yes I will go by faith and faith alone.  It takes great faith to step out into the unknown with no clear path but to totally lean on Jesus, trust Him completely. When God says, “Go”, will you step out in faith, into the unknown in obedience to the Lord? The first step is faith, the rest is calm assurance on a journey beyond our wildest comprehension. God is good.

Thank you Lord for the challenges in our lives that bring us to a closer walk and faith in You.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Salvation, Then What?

May12

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:41-42

Hallelujah for every soul who is saved. That is reason for celebration! But is there more to this salvation thing? For many years it seems salvation was the focus — get people saved. Many who made decisions to accept Jesus as Savior, repenting of sin, were left there.

There is more to salvation. So much more — wonderful, fulfilling, exciting, challenging, adventurous, faith growing, surrender, dependence — a relationship with the Savior. This takes continual devotion to the teachings of Christ. Being mentored by a mature Christian. Fellowship of the saints is necessary because iron sharpens iron, gleaning fruit from the mature tree, receiving encouragement in the faith and learning from others.

Gathering of the saints to break bread together and pray is a time of drawing closer to God, one another and learning how to do that.

This devotion is for the new babe in Christ to encourage them to be in the Word — joining a Bible Study group — to gather with the saints and learn — gather fruit — from them. Learn to pray by watching and learning from godly people. Step out in faith so your faith will grow.

This devotion is also for the seasoned person in Christ to encourage you to take someone under your wing by inviting them to join you in Bible Study, pray with them, and allow them to gather the fruit of your walk with Jesus.

We must not settle for just salvation when there is so much more!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. John 4:36

Mother’s Day

May11

“Behold, everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb concerning you, saying, ‘Like mother, like daughter.’ — Ezekiel 16:44

I’ve been living with my Mom for almost 21 months now, since my Dad’s illness. Over that period of time I have noticed — more than I did before I started living with her — how we often are thinking the same thing. I kid her saying it scares me when she says something and it is just what I was thinking. That happened just last evening. We both had a good laugh about it. Then I found this verse right after that. Coincidence? I think not.

I am now — as opposed to my much younger years — honored to be like my Mother. She is a strong woman who raised four children, many times on her own because Dad was off serving our country. She taught me service and how to love a husband and raise children. She taught me to respect elders, those of different cultures, society status, well basically everyone. She taught me manners, how to sew and crochet and cook, although she is still a much better cook than I. But . . .

The greatest thing my Mom taught me was who Jesus Christ is. Passed down from her Mom to her and then to me. She made sure that her children were introduced to the Savior and she prayed for us and continues to pray for us.

From generation to generation. “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. — 2 Timothy 1:5

I continue the legacy with my children. I pray for them and continue to share Jesus even though they are on their own now. They know that Jesus is alive and well and living in their Mother. I hope they will always see Jesus in me. My gift to them this Mother’s Day and until Jesus comes.

May God bless your Mother’s Day!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

A Good Minister

Apr10

bible-study-group-6010

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. — 1 Timothy 4:4-7

What makes a good minister (servant, one who acts upon the authority of another)? One who explains to the brothers and sisters of the word of God and prayer. If you do this you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus. You are one who is nourished by the message of faith and the teaching you have followed. Train yourself to be godly. Practice being like Christ.

Disciple as Jesus discipled. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. — 1 Timothy 6:18-19

Life is all about who we are in Jesus. Life is whatever we do, doing it all to the glory of God.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. — 1 Corinthians 10:31

Let us seek Him through the Word and prayer so that we are affective for the kingdom of God, bring glory to His name, and enrich our lives because we live every moment for our Lord.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Unquenchable Joy

Mar23

You have endowed him with eternal happiness. You have given him the unquenchable joy of Your presence. — Psalm 21:6

This verse was shared on Facebook this past week by a dear friend and I immediately thought of my Dad. God, You have endowed him (my Dad) with eternal happiness. You have given him the unquenchableable joy of Your presence. My Dad is in His presence enjoying the unquenchable joy of being right there in the light of His countenance, enjoying a joy that we could not possibly grasp this side of heaven.

These words were actually written of a king. He was endowed this side of heaven with this unquenchable joy. We can experience this joy by simply trusting in the Lord. How is your trust in the Lord these days? Easy when things are good and going your way or even when things are tough and not going your way? At what level is your joy?

One day my joy will overflow, when my faith becomes sight, but in the meantime “I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.” — Psalm 43:4

Trust and rejoice in the Lord our God starting right now and continuing throughout eternity. Eternal happiness, unquenchable joy. Wow!!!!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Shine Jesus Shine Pt. 4

Mar13

Shine Jesus shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit blaze,
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word
Lord and let there be light.

— Cliff Richard —

 [Glory of the Lord] Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. — Exodus 40:34

but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. — Numbers 14:31

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. — Exodus 3:2

And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountain top. — Exodus 24:17

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” — John 7:38

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. — Romans 5:5

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. –Acts 10:38

And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:32

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, — Matthew 28:19

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 1:8

And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. — Acts 11:15

for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. — Acts 11:24

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  

He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. — Psalm 147:15

He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow. — Psalm 147:18

Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. — Psalm 51:11

For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite. — Isaiah 57:15

Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. — Matthew 13:43

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon