Tag Archive | glory

Step By Step

Aug8

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;
And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing; — Genesis 12:1-2

Four days a week I walk four miles in the morning. On two of those days I take a very long path down hill at the beginning of my walk and, you guessed it, I have a very long hill to climb at the end of my walk. That can be pretty taxing the last quarter mile of your walk.

The other day my walking partner and I took that particular route walking a total of five miles and it was a chore to get up that hill. I thought I was going to pass out and for the next two days, thank the Lord it was the weekend, I paid a price with a very painful hip. That is not why I am writing this. On this particular day I looked up the hill desiring the top to come but it seemed so far off. It was as if the top kept creeping away the more I walked. It was grueling trying to keep my eyes on the top of the hill and realizing I still had so far to go to get to the top.

The following Tuesday I took that route again but when I got to the end I didn’t look up the hill. I focused on my feet and each step I took. As I went along I kept focused on the moment and enjoyed each step. By the time I looked up I had conquered most of the hill and so the short distance left was not much of a challenge.

As I thought about the difference in these two days my mind wandered off to how God gives us instruction as we need it. With Abram it was go. Abram under the direction of the Lord set out to “the land which I will show you”. How is that for direction? All Abram was told was to “go forth from your country and from your father’s house”. All Abram had was the Word of God and a promise. How’s that for trust? One step. One step of faith. Trust in the One God.

God directs our steps, path, each day. We only see a portion of the picture He is painting of our lives. I think that is a good thing. If we actually saw some of the things God has planned for us I think we would turn tail and run down the hill. On the other hand sometimes we long so much for what God wants us to do that we tend to not notice each step along the way. We miss out. God is building us into His perfect child one step at a time. Each step draws us closer to the fulfillment of His plan. Let us not forget to enjoy the journey. Trust each step to the Almighty. The reward is still waiting when we get there but let us not regret the steps it takes to reach it.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Be Careful Little Eyes

Aug6

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, — Romans 8:5-6

Remember the children’s song “Be Careful Little Eyes”? As I read this verse today this song came to mind. I have often wondered why this song is considered a children’s song.

For those who may not know the song:

Be careful little eyes what you see
Be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So be careful little eyes what you see.

Be careful little ears what you hear
Be careful little ears what you hear
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So be careful little ears what you hear.

Be careful little feet where you go
Be careful little feet where you go
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So be careful little feet where you go.

Are not the things we as adults put into our minds as important as what children’s minds are exposed to? If we are honest with ourselves we would do so much better if we read, watched, listened to and went places that were not in contrast to God’s Word. What we fill our minds with will effect where our feet walk, what comes out of our mouths and our actions.

A few years back when my children were young, (okay, more than a few years back), I removed offensive movies from my house. I stood on the belief that if it wasn’t good enough for my kids to see, it wasn’t good enough for me to see. Since then I have wandered from that but was quite convicted today when I read this verse. Am I being careful what I feed my mind? What am I watching on T.V.? What am I reading? Would I be doing these things if Jesus were standing or sitting right next to me in the flesh? Hmmm. I wonder.

If I am to be obedient to God’s Word and bring Him glory through my life, then I need to be careful what I see, hear and where I walk.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. — Philippians 4:8

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Worship In Holy Array

Jul27

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the Lord in holy array. — 1 Chronicles 16:29/Psalm 29:2

What do you bring to the Lord on Sunday (or your day of congregational worship)? Is your offering of worship an offering of praise? A fruitful offering?

God wants us to worship in holy array. Is “holy array” your physical appearance or is it a heart ready to worship in spirit and truth? Is your offering a fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?*

God does not see as man sees for God looks at the heart, a heart that has been circumcised. You can come to church all dressed up and looking good but what does your heart look like? Put aside the flesh and worship as you have never worshiped before. Worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus. Totally surrender to the Spirit of truth with a heart full of the fruit of the Spirit.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

 

But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. — Leviticus 19:24

*Galatians 5:22-23

for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, — Philippians 3:3

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” — John 4:24

Hope For The Future

Jul24

“There is hope for your future,” declares the Lord, “And your children will return to their own territory. — Jeremiah 31:17

I believe there is no greater joy than when you see the years of prayer you put in for your children begin to be answered.

My husband and I have often discussed how we were not the best parents but did the best we could — most of the time. We both believe it is by grace that our children managed to survive our rearing of them. I thank God that He is perfect and loves my children more than I could ever love them.

All our children have reached adulthood, despite their parents, and have not always followed our advice and counsel nor that of the Lord. They have wandered out into the world and made mistakes — but haven’t we all. In my 21 months away from my family I focused a lot on praying for my husband and kids, many times on my knees crying out on their behalf. My children were introduced to Jesus, all making a profession of faith, and then wandered into the world without Christ. It has just been recently that I see the miracle transformation taking place in all of them and I am ecstatic.

Rebellion from attending church has been turned into faithful consistent attendance. Never seeing them open the Word of God to asking where their Bible is, and seeing them reading it. Finding one in prayer and meditation with an open Bible. Alienation from church and Christians to a desire to fellowship.

The point of this is that my ever faithful God, in His perfect timing is answering my prayers and my tears are now tears of joy. Thank You Lord God for listening and for answering. Thank You for what You are doing in the lives of my children. May You continue to be glorified in their transformation. There is hope for my future and theirs.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Fountain of Living Water

Jul20

O Lord, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the Lord. — Jeremiah 17:13
How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, — Psalm 146:5

Hope in the Lord does not bring about shame. He is a trustworthy God who will not forsake His own. Turn to the Lord, the living water, from whom we are quenched. God loves us and desires us to do His will for the benefit of our souls and for His glory. He will not let us down. He will not forsake us so do not forsake Him. Turn to Jesus for the help to face each day, to know the freedom from sin only He can give, and to experience peace in a world of chaos. He so longs to show you all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge that is Jesus Christ Himself.

Seek out the Lord Jesus Christ — by reading His Word, talking to a friend who knows Jesus, going to a church that proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ and/or talking to Jesus by prayer. He is listening. Open your heart to receive all He has planned for you. He is your hope!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Blessed Are We!

Jul18

So David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, “Blessed are You, O Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. — 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Wow!!! Hallelujah!!!! Praise God!!!!!

Our Father forever and ever
He is greatness and power
He is glory and victory
He is majesty
He is the ruler over His creation
He has dominion over all
He is the giver of riches and honor
His hand holds power and might
It is by His power to make great and strengthen everyone
O Glorious Lord
Thank You
Praise You

Blessed are You, O Lord. Blessed are we, O Lord!
Know Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Word of Life

Jul7

holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. — Philippians 2:16

How’s life? Things going well? Are you where you expected yourself to be 10 years ago? Are you running the road of life in vain? Are you toiling in vain? Are your achievements satisfying you? Are you making a difference in your little corner of the world or in the lives of those you know?

What will be your glory when you have breathed your last? What will be your legacy? What will you be remembered for? What will be your Creator’s response to your life? Will He be pleased and welcome you with the words, “Well done”?

My hope is that you hold fast to the word of truth. The Word, Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. — John 1:1-4 The truth, Jesus Christ. Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. — John 14:6

Holding fast to the Word of life is a guarantee of a life that has a reason to glory when Jesus returns. Happy seeking.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Cloudy With a Chance of Glory

Jul1

These are some of my favorite verses regarding the glory of God:

It happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. — 1 Kings 8:10-12

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. — Exodus 40:34-35

in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the Lord saying, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. — 2 Chronicles 5:13-14

Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house. The priests could not enter into the house of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the Lord, saying, “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.” — 2 Chronicles 7:1-3

The cloud came down and filled the place with God’s glory. What was the reaction of the people? The priests could not stand, Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle, all the sons of Israel bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground. The effect was to worship and praise the Lord.

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to actually see the glory of God in it’s full array? What would be your response? When you worship the Lord, like on Sunday, do you bow down in worship and praise to the Lord – at least in your heart? What is the state of your heart in the presence of the Lord? Truly His lovingkindness is everlasting and He is worthy, oh so worthy, of our praise to His glory!

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. — Revelation 15:8

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

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

From Where Do You Seek Your Praise?

Jun25

How is it possible for you to believe [how can you learn to believe], you who [are content to seek and] receive praise and honor and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise and honor and glory which come from Him Who alone is God? — John 5:44 (AMP)

Do you seek the approval, glory, honor and praise from others? Is their praise necessary for you to live for Jesus? Is their approval necessary to serve God?

Jesus said,”I receive not glory from men [I crave no human honor, I look for no mortal fame]” in John 5:41. Jesus sought the approval, glory, honor and praise from the Father. Jesus served the Father to bring Him glory, honor and praise and in turn the Father exalted His Son. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, (Philippians 2:9)

Then if Jesus is our role model we need to seek to honor God. Jesus said that “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him” in John 12:26. Following Jesus takes belief in Him as the Son of God who died on the cross for us and was raised on the third day by God Himself. It takes following in Jesus’ footsteps. It takes seeking God’s approval rather than the approval of men. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:18)

Let us seek Jesus so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. (John 5:23) Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. (1 Chronicles 29:12) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, (1 Peter 5:6)

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. — John 12:43