Tag Archive | God

Overflowing Hope

Jul6

May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13(GW)

Are you lacking hope? Are you missing the source? Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. — John 3:16-17 Jesus is our Savior, the giver of eternal life, to everyone who believes in Him.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, — 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Belief that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and God raised Him from death.

That belief is faith. Through our continued living faith, God fills us with joy and peace. Is your life filled with joy and peace? Most faces I see and pass by daily don’t show it, so I wonder how many people really are experiencing joy and peace in their lives. That raises two thoughts in my mind. The first, do they know Jesus? Really know Him? Second, am I living out my faith that others can see it?

If we are living our faith out with joy and peace then we should be overflowing with hope by the living power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. What would you say is the level of hope in our world today? Is that overflowing hope present in our lives? Is it impacting our corner of the world? What can we do to bring hope to the hopeless?

Let us evaluate our faith. Let us seek Jesus through faith and experience the joy and peace that will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, overflow our lives with hope for ourselves and others.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Determination

Jul5

He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” — John 14:21

Do you want to see Jesus? Really see Him and experience His love and grace? Really know Him intimately? Are you seeking that sold out to Jesus relationship? Are you desiring His guidance and leadership in your life? Are you needing His comfort and peace?

Well if you do, it will take obedience. Obedience to God’s commands. That means searching the Word of God with prayer and determination. Determination that nothing will get in the way of your daily seeking of God through His Word and prayer. Determination to practice His Word on a daily basis. Determination to share your victories (testimonies to God) and your failures in prayer with the Lord. Keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith.*

Our practicing obedience demonstrate our love for Jesus. In our love for Jesus comes the blessing of the love of the Father toward us. And still more love is directed toward us from Jesus Christ Himself. And the crescendo? Jesus will disclose Himself to us! What a promise to work toward. He will make Himself known, reveal Himself, allowing Himself to be seen. That is a most wonderful promise.

So? Do you want to see Jesus? Seek Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

*Hebrews 12:2

Lovingkindness

Jul4

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
5 To Him who made the heavens with skill,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
6 To Him who spread out the earth above the waters,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
7 To Him who made the great lights,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
8 The sun to rule by day,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting,
9 The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 136:1-9, 26

Today was an absolute day of blessing after blessing from my wonderful Lord. He knows my heart and blesses it. He knows my needs and meets them with blessing. I could ask for nothing better than my wonderful Lord for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Praise and glory to the only true God worthy of worship and praise!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Wonderful Devotional

Jul2

Sharing an exceptional devotion from my good friend and brother in Christ. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Pastor Anthony L. Taylor

Real Talk: Why be in love with Jesus and the Gospel?

This is what He did for those who have been changed by the Gospel and its power…

What Christ has attained for us through his death and resurrection are immeasurable. Through his cross-work Christ has provided reconciliation to God, forgiveness of sins, propitiation, the ability to live for God, eternal life, justification, inheritance in heaven, righteousness, healing, bodily resurrection, intercession for the weak, peace, freedom, unity among believers, an example, redemption, advocacy, deliverance from fear of death, hope, wisdom, regeneration, access to God’s presence, and all things. In short, Christ’s death has given us God. It is literally the difference between eternal anguish and destruction apart from God, and eternal life and happiness with God.

The work of Christ is therefore something to be cherished, valued, honored, studied, and proclaimed.

This is what He will do when He returns in glory…

Revelation 19:11-13New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Coming of Christ

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the (God hating) nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

My Thoughts: His love is immeasurable, but so is His wrath to come…

Turn to Christ while you have a chance, turn from your sin, which is in hostile rebellion against a holy GOD.

The Lord Is Good

Jul2

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100

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

Compare

Jun29

I have had the honor and privilege to teach Bible Studies to an array of different women and children. From school age to women well into their 80’s. It has become my passion but it didn’t start out to be.

Being involved in church found me wanting to serve and after all the church was in need of Sunday School teachers so it was only obvious that I should step up and serve in this way. Three year-olds, five year-olds, fifth and sixth graders. I’ll have to admit I did it without fervor or passion, just commitment. I decided it was not my calling. I would of course still substitute now and then.

Well, God had other plans. As I studied the Bible the more excited I became about its contents. The more excited I became, the more I wanted to tell others and Jesus opened the doors to do just that. I am truly honored that God would mold me into a teacher — not of my will — but of His, which makes it that much more important that I teach to honor God.

One of the things I stress to everyone I have the privilege to teach is for them to “open your Bible”. I am merely an imperfect human and although I have been given the gift of teaching and I try very hard to not dishonor God’s Word I can make mistakes. I would prefer someone to call me on it than to take my teaching as truth.

As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. — Galatians 1:9-10

How can we know if the truth is being preached or taught correctly if we don’t check it against the Word of God (Bible)? If I am taking the word of another without testing it against the Word of God, is that not just the same as seeking the favor of man? If I accept whatever that person says as fact, can that be construed as striving to please man? If I am willing to accept man’s word as truth then I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Those words are very convicting.

The truth of the gospel must be taught with truth but it is our responsibility to know if the truth is being spoken. Open the Bible and compare what you hear to what is written in the Word of God.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

God’s Way

Jun28

Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God — Romans 10:1-3

It’s God’s way or no way. There is no compromising with the Lord God if you are walking in a true relationship with Jesus. There are many who have a great zeal for God. They “do good”, are always at church when the doors are open, wearing the perfect face and self-righteous halo and  displaying their righteousness for all to see.

But. Do they really know God or just playing the church game? Are they motivated by a true love for Jesus and desiring to please Him and see His purposes fulfilled or just to be judged as a righteous saint, receiving their glory here?

Do we have a heart’s desire for the salvation of all people? Or just the ones that are righteous according to our own standards? Do we dictate what a “Christian” looks like or do we allow the transforming work of the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of people? Are we trying to do the work of  God without Him?

There is a freedom in subjecting ourselves to the righteousness of God. There is transformation in the righteousness of God. A righteousness based on God’s transforming power which makes us acceptable to Him in word, thought and deed. (Romans 10:3 AMP)

We can’t make ourselves good enough for God. We need to seek His righteousness and let His transformation bring us into alignment with His purpose and will. God’s Way!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth.  For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. — Acts 22:14-15

But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:6-13

Groping

Jun27

and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ — Acts 17:26-28

The word “grope” stood out to me, jumped right off the screen (page). It is defined in Word Origin & History* as “O.E. grapian “to feel about as one blind or in darkness,” originally “to feel or handle,” related to gripan “grasp at” (see gripe)”.* Groping, as one blind or in darkness. Isn’t that our state of being without Jesus?

God, our Creator, made from one man (Adam) every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth. I think God has definitely accomplished that. How amazing when you think about it. Lands that had never been explored are now inhabited. From two there are now approximately seven billion people on earth. And it blows my mind when I read that He has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lives. All seven billion! I have trouble just making sure I am at my appointed place in a day. God is amazing!

What does He desire of us? To seek Him. But not just seek, grope. I imagine a desperation there. Darkness all around and having no direction, no sight. Many walk daily in this condition. God wants so much to give us sight and light to see Him clearly. To find Him. For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him? (Deuteronomy 4:7) In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? (Job 12:10)

God desires to give us abundant life through Jesus Christ. A life that is truly blessed, fulfilling, and amazing for in Him we live and move and exist. Do you want to truly live? Seek Jesus now while He may be found.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

*Dictionary.com, “grope,” in Online Etymology Dictionary. Source location: Douglas Harper, Historian. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/grope. Available: http://dictionary.reference.com. Accessed: June 26, 2014.