Tag Archive | gospel

Time Fulfilled

May25

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee,  preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” –Mark 1:14-15

The time has been fulfilled. Do you believe?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Accept One Another?!

Mar27

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. — Romans 15:7

Now that’s a tall order!!! Accept others with all the baggage they carry? Accept those high maintenance, outcasts of society, and the egotistical, arrogant, selfish, prideful, disobedient, unfaithful? . . . well enough talking about me. I’m a sinner. I admit it. But with Jesus becoming my life He is transforming me into a godly person ready for heaven.

Do we reach out to people, just like us, to introduce them to Jesus? Do we accept THAT kind of person when they walk through the doors of our churches or do we shy away and ignore and shun them? Reminds me of a testimony:

A number of years ago a young woman visited the church I was attending. She filled out an attendance card so she made the list for visitation Monday.

An older couple (Deacon and wife) and I were the ones blessed to visit her that Monday. We arrived at her trailer and she seemed genuinely happy to see us and invited us in. In this tiny trailer we stepped over and around toys, dirty clothes, a mattress in the middle of the floor with wadded up sheets and sat on a dilapidated sunk down low, filthy, well worn couch. What would your reaction be and what expression would she have seen on your face?

To the glory of God I marched in there with a smile on my face, thanked her for visiting our church, gave her information and shared the gospel. She was no different than me when it came to my need for Christ.

People need the Lord. Will we let their garbage stop us from accepting them, sharing the gospel and helping them grow in Christ? Jesus accepted our garbage all the way to the cross. What are you willing to do for others?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Got The Time?

Mar16

Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to  awaken from sleep; for now  salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. — Romans 13:11

“Do this” refers back to Romans 13:8-10 (yesterday’s devotion) to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus loved us so much He gave His life up on a cross so we could have salvation from sin and He rose so we could have eternal life. Hallelujah!!!! And to think that each passing moment we are closer to that reality then we have ever been when we shall see Jesus in all His glory!!!

Knowing that the time is coming how can we love one another more than to share the gospel message? It is time for the Christian to wake up:
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42)
Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:34)

If you say you are a “Christian” you represent Jesus in all you say and do. Are you willing to share Him so that others may know the hope found in Him? People need Jesus!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Park

Feb8

What a beautiful, out of the ordinary, winter day in the Midwest. Opportunity afforded me the blessing to take my grandson to the park for some exercise, fresh springtime air, and to be truthful keep him occupied and wear him out for the rest of the day. (It’s rough on this old body caring and especially playing with these youngins). And to let you know, he wore grandma out. He won.

But the real reason for this post is to tell you that God gives us opportunities to serve Him and tell the world about Him. As I was watching my grandson play, a nice young gentleman, there with his 2 year-old son, started up a conversation. I found out he was new in the area and he was wearing a big ole cross on his chest.

Going to pause here for a moment to rewind to Sunday at church. We, as a church, have been challenged to ask someone to church. Statistics show that a large percentage of people would attend church if they were asked to come. I also have been inspired by a fellow sister in the Lord to witness more. I have been praying asking the Lord to open my eyes, teach me, show me how to witness. He has also placed a very heavy, I mean very heavy, burden on my heart for those who are traveling the wide road to destruction. But back to my story. . .

New in the area, big cross on his chest. . . I say, “I see you are wearing a cross. Does it have any special significance to you?” He told me that when he died he would be with the One who died on the cross. Hallelujah!!! And since he was new in town I asked if he had found a church. He had. That’s great.

As I was driving home and thinking over what had happened and thanking God for opening my eyes to the opportunity I was reminded that I had also directed, invited, a woman and her family to my church when she was asking me if I knew of a church in the area. This was while I was at work. God makes opportunities for us. Those opportunities are there everyday, we just don’t see them because our focus is not on Christ.

Ask God to open your eyes to and heart for the lost of this world. Billions are headed to Hell. God has called us to share the Good News.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

“It”

Jan25

for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. — Romans 1:16b

“It”. The gospel. “It”. Jesus Christ. “It”. Power.

Trust in “It” to save you by believing. Trust in “It” to save others by telling.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Persuaded By

Jan21

Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. — Acts 28:24

As we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ we will encounter those who will not believe but for the sake of those who will be persuaded we need to tell.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Conviction And The Gospel

Jan4

And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. — Acts 20:22-24

How strong is your conviction to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Persevere

Dec17

They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. — Acts 16:6-10

God has called each of us to fulfill His purpose. Sometimes we hit roadblocks but we must not give up. Persevere steadfastly, listening and following. Those times of trials are for us to lean on the Lord, continue on the current mission and listen for instructions. God is with us always so stand strong. Persevere.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Light Of The Gospel

Dec16

The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them. — Isaiah 9:2

star-of-bethlehem1

 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6

And so the gospel of salvation arrives.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

He’s Not Going Away

Nov19

And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men.  For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.  So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” — Acts 5:35-39

What can you conclude from the influence of Christ and the word of Gamaliel? Jesus died (and rose from the grave) over 2000 years ago and He is still an influence today. Is the gospel a plan of action from God?

Heed the testimony of the disciples, the Word of God lest you be found fighting against God.

Hallelujah for the faithfulness and steadfast truth of our God who offers the gospel still today to whomever will hear and accept. He is not going away.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon