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
My prayer for you today. The awesome joy and peace of being a Christian. Available to all. Grasp it, seek it, know it. The hope that is Jesus Christ.
Continually seeking Him,
Sharon
I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. — Psalm 130:5-6
Wait. . . Wait . . . Wait . . .
That is a four letter word to us today. No one likes to wait. We look for the shortest line in the grocery store. When we ring the bell for service we want someone to answer that bell right away. When we sit in the doctor’s office waiting room we keep looking at our watches, or cell phones, to see how much they are running behind. We just don’t like to wait. It is an inconvenience. We are always in a hurry. To go where???
In our hurried lifestyle today we miss out on a lot. We don’t take the time to really listen and notice our children. They are just an added burden to the hurried lifestyle. We can’t seem to find a smile to share with someone as they hurriedly pass us by. We don’t notice God’s awesome creation — new life in the Spring, the beautiful blue sky and green grass of Summer, the colors of Fall and the pure white of Winter snow or the bare trees awaiting Spring. There is that “wait” again. The trees waiting for the blooms of Spring to dress them again. We tend to half listen to conversations we have with others and then wonder why communication is the biggest problem in relationships.
The biggest communication problem today is the lack of hearing the voice of God. We are too much in a hurry to spend time waiting on the Lord. Yet when we do wait upon the Lord we can hear His still small voice of direction, encouragement, love. My hope for the future is found in the waiting room of the Lord. He is my hope. He is my direction into the future. He guides my steps and my ways. Without Him I am merely walking blindly into the future with no direction or encouragement.
Take time to wait on the Lord. He is so worth it. Hope for the future and peace for the present.
Continually seeking Him,
Sharon
“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
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
But if everyone is proclaiming God’s message when some unbelievers or ordinary people come in, they will be convinced of their sin by what they hear. They will be judged by all they hear, their secret thoughts will be brought into the open, and they will bow down and worship God, confessing, “Truly God is here among you!”— 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (GNT)
Proclaiming God’s message is a gift that one should earnestly desire. (14:1). The message is the Word of God. It is the gospel. It is Jesus Christ promised and fulfilled.
The power of the Word of God is miraculous. It brings unbelievers and ordinary people to their knees in repentance and worship of God. The Word of God has the power to convict, to bring to mind the deep secrets of the soul that darken a life. It has the power to bring knowledge of the One True God causing us to worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords. It has the power to draw us to the throne of God for mercy, grace and redemption.
When the Word of God is proclaimed in the church by everyone, not just the Pastor, then unbelievers will confess that “Truly God is among you!” Proclaim the Word of God in your everyday life. If you are walking closely with Him and studying His awesome Word then you will want to speak of His glory. You will see His glory in everyday happenings in your life. In those you have opportunities to share testimonies of God’s Word. As you do you will see unfold before you the power of God’s Word as it touches the lives of those who need Jesus Christ.
So. Will you earnestly desire the gift of proclaiming God’s Word? Pray asking for God’s gift to prophesy His truth and then seek Him in His Word so you may be equipped to proclaim the Good News!
Continually seeking Him,
Sharon
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
“Cease striving and know that I am God; — Psalm 46:10
Know: experience, understand
Cease striving, relax, wait upon the Lord and know. Know that He is our refuge: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.*It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.^ my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Savior — from violent people you save me.~
*Psalm 46:1
^Psalm 118:8
~2 Samuel 22:3
Know that we find rest in Him when we spend time in prayer with Him. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him;* He bids us “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.^
*Psalm 37:7a
^Matthew 11:28
As we seek refuge and rest in Him we know forgiveness as we confess our sins. But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.* And experience His grace: But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.^ Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.~
*Psalm 130:4
^Psalm 86:15
~Hebrews 4:16
Being still and focusing on Jesus we find peace, love and wonderful fellowship. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.* For He Himself is our peace.^ He has given us peace: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.~ For He is the Prince of Peace+
*Philippians 4:6-7
^Ephesians 2:14a
~John 14:27
+Isaiah 9:6
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. And There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.* In this abiding we have fellowship with Him: that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;^
*1 John 4:16,18
^Philippians 3:10
We will know joy with time spent with Jesus in prayer and fellowship: Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy, And He may restore His righteousness to man.* For I will turn their mourning into joy And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.^
*Job 33:26
^Jeremiah 31:13b
That time you take to be still you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”* Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.^ Sitting with Jesus builds our confidence to follow Him without wavering. For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.~
*John 8:32
^John 14:6
~Proverbs 3:26
So in closing we can see that being still in the presence of God is essential to our lives. Jesus is our Refuge, Rest, and because of His grace and mercy we know forgiveness, His awesome love, and we have fellowship with Him as God planned. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.* Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. We need Him everyday. He bids us come.
*1 Corinthians 1:9
“The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. — Deuteronomy 32:4
KNOW HIM!!!!!
Continually seeking Him,
Sharon
Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 18 And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. — Mark 4:7, 18-19
The heart can be a crowded place when we try to make room for God’s will and our will. So crowded that the things of this world can choke out the fruit of the spirit.
The Word of God is filled with the promises of God which are reliable. We can trust God’s Word. We can trust Jesus who is the living Word. When the desires of this life outweigh the desire for God and His ways, we are not fruitful. When we are carried away by the riches that entice us instead of trusting Jesus for all we need, worrying, then we are not fruitful.
The ways of the world will choke out the ways of God. It is not enough to hear the Word of God, we must do the Word of God. Instill it in our hearts, practice it daily and trust God at His Word.
Don’t let the things of this world be more important than eternity. Let God transform you by the power of His Word so that your life is fruitful and abundant, bringing glory to God. Seek Him daily in His Word and in prayer.
Continually seeking Him,
Sharon
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.strong>For,
“The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. “He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. — 1 Peter 3:8-17
Wow, what conviction when I read this. In the heat of the moment, when insulted, blamed, evil being flung at you, are you harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit? My reaction is usually opposite of this. I allow their intimidation and become troubled deep within my soul.
What I need is to sanctify Christ as Lord in my heart so I may turn away from evil. With Him I am able to keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which I am slandered, those who revile my good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better to be riled for doing what is right than doing what is wrong.
Jesus suffered and died for us. Can we not hold our tongue and uphold our Lord? We must seek and pursue peace whatever the cost. So be a blessing and be blessed. “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer,”.
Continually seeking Him,
Sharon
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; — Ephesians 5:19
Still learning. Still growing. Still faithful.
Learning to hear the voice of God in the quietness.
Word(s) . Light . Life
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My Name is Yanira Vargas. I am a Senior at Washington State University. I love all things expression and creative. I was in a relationship with my childhood best friend of 4 years, who happens to have had passed away with stage 3 brain cancer. I still believe in God, and in the beauty of mircles. Join me and embark on this journey with me.
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