Tag Archive | relationship

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

Seek Peace Where?

May7

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ — Isaiah 41:10

I often wonder why we go about without the peace of God within us. I also wonder how the Lord must feel about it. His peace is given to us in abundance but we reject it. Why?

Do we enjoy living in fear of what tomorrow will bring, or are we too proud to admit our need for God’s peace? Maybe we just have to be the one in control until life becomes out of our control. Maybe we are just seeking peace but in the wrong places.

First, God is with us so we need not fear — anything — because He will not leave us nor forsake us. He keeps His promises for He is God. Why then do we look anxiously about us for the peace that is only found in God alone? Second, we need to seek and trust Jesus Christ. Seek the Father’s peace that only comes through a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus.

God loves us so much and wants us to come to Him because He is the one who will strengthen us, help us and uphold us with His righteous right hand. He is the sure way to true peace. To God be the glory through His wonderful, marvelous, ever present Son, Jesus Christ!

Go in peace.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Prayer of Supplication

May4

What is a prayer of supplication? A humble prayer spoken with earnest entreaty and petition.

God desires us to pray (He also commands it) for our benefit. What is our need, desire, anxious way in us? Don’t hold on to it and fret about it. Go humbly to the Father. He does not want us to “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”.*

Why take it all to the Lord? For peace. We don’t need to carry fear, uncertainty, pain, difficulties, burdens, worry, etc. Jesus said, “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”.«

Some don’t pray because of pride. We won’t ask God for the things we need or want because we believe it is up to us to supply those things or we think prayer is for others who really “need” it. Our faith is dependent on trust in Jesus. Prayer is showing Him our dependence on Him. Humble prayer is a surrender of our will to His. Surrender and dependence go hand in hand.

So let loose and pray. Pray for your everyday needs, “Give us this day our daily bread”.» Pray for deliverance, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil”.< Our need is daily so our prayers need to be daily.

The great thing about praying to Jesus is that He knows what we go through on a daily basis. “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 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”.> “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted”.~

Prayer brings us into a close relationship with our Lord and Savior. So close that He abides in us and “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you”.#

Our prayer life is evident in our daily walk. We walk in peace, and how we live shows fruit. “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you”.’

So we pray asking for what we need to bring us to a point to ask for what will glorify the Father through His Son. “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son”. — John 14:13

Please don’t neglect prayer for yourself. It is necessary to glorify God.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

*Philippians 4:6-7
«John 14:27
»Matthew 6:11
Hebrews 4:15-16
~Hebrews 2:18
#John 15:7
‘John 15:16

Can You Hear?

Apr30

No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. — John 15:15

Those who have accepted His gift of salvation, by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, have been set free, no longer slaves. Jesus calls us His friend. Friend is defined as a person known well to another and regarded with liking, affection, and loyalty; an intimate*. An intimate. How many friends do you have that are intimate friends?

An intimate friendship is a close personal relationship. In a close intimate relationship Jesus shares with us all things He has heard from the Father. Jesus says, “I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world.”« So if Jesus is speaking, who is listening? Are you?

If we are not participating in the relationship we are not hearing what Jesus has to share. If we give Him 5-10 minutes a day we are not hearing everything He has to share. How much time do you share with your spouse or your best friend in a day? When you are sharing do you do all the talking? How much listening do you do?

Let us evaluate our relationship with Jesus. He gave His all for us. We really need to practice prayer everyday. An intimate time one on one with Him, talking and listening. He has so much to share with us. Are we willing to spend time with Jesus and be transformed into all He wants us to be? Take time to know Him intimately.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

* dictionary.reference.com/World English Dictionary
« John 8:26

Living Hope

Apr13

In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. — Ephesians 2:12-13 (NLT)

Living in this world without God is living a life without hope. We no longer need to live apart from Christ. We have been united with Christ, brought near to Him through His shed blood.

At one time all of us were alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds; walking according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. We did not know God, we were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.

We are a new creation. We have hope of salvation and eternal life. We also have hope that God is doing a good work in us. We have the hope of His promise for us and our children and for all who are far off. God is calling all to repentance (a change of heart and mind with regret or remorse over sin that results in a change of purpose and life). He is calling us to a warm intimate relationship, a relationship filled with hope, a living hope.

Do you need hope? Then it is time to hope in Jesus Christ. Seek Him today while He may be found.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon
 

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, — Colossians 3:21
However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. — Galatians 4:8
in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. — Ephesians 2:2
For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” — Acts 2:39

Godliness Holds Promise

Apr11

for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. — 1 Timothy 4:8

Bodily discipline can make you healthier, stronger, more flexible, thinner, and/or feel better overall. BUT, no matter how disciplined you are physically, it will not get you to heaven. Physical activity relieves stress, refreshes the mind and gets the blood pumping which is great. BUT, it holds no promise for the life to come.

It’s not about quitting exercise and spending all our time seeking godliness. Just like living for Jesus is living Christ in all we do it is practicing godliness in all we do. Over the last year and a half I started exercising and lost 65 pounds. During this time I drew closer and closer to the Lord. How? When I took my 2-4 mile walks I prayed. I communed with God. I sought godliness from the Master of godliness. I experienced (and still do) what it must have been like for Adam and Eve or Elijah.

I benefited from my walks because I felt better and lost weight but it does not compare to the awesome walk I am having with the Almighty God of the universe!!!! My healthier lifestyle just adds to the ability I now have to serve Him more diligently.

My body is more physically disciplined now but it will still die one day. My walk with God is beneficial for me now and will continue into eternity. I envision talking with God as Elijah did and walk right into heaven. Now that holds promise for the life to come.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Be Still

Apr9

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”.  — Psalm 46:10
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. — Psalm 37:7
For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing, — Isaiah 30:15
And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. — Isaiah 32:17

Have you noticed how the world is always in such a hurry? Running from one meeting/event to another. We pass by people not even noticing them and when we do it is usually because they are slowing us down. We get stressed out over all that needs to be done. Why?

And just as we don’t notice people we tend to be too busy to notice God. We struggle through the day getting stressed out and miss seeing the work that God is about. We miss the miracles of the day. We especially miss the Lord Himself. The relationship. The intimacy. The glory. What is the solution?

The Lord says that we need to be still and know that He is God. Without the stillness and quiet of His presence we focus on things of the world that weigh us down and burden us. We are too busy to wait for an answer from God so we make decisions on our own without God’s direction. We are an impatient people. If God is truly in control then waiting on Him will not be disastrous. Being still and knowing God brings peace and contentment. Knowing God is trusting that He knows what’s best for us so we don’t need to rush through our day blindly checking off our to do list. In quietness and trust is our strength.

The result? I walk this world in the work of righteousness that will be peace and in the service of righteousness that is quietness and confidence. Through Christ I walk in righteousness to bring Him glory so that He will be honored by every nation throughout the world. Take the time to be still and know that the Lord, He is God!

Keep seeking.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Journeys End

Mar21

Today ends a one year, six month, and 19 day journey of a lifetime. The Lord taught me so much about trust, dependence, who I am in Him, who He is and how much He takes care of His children. Let me share this adventure and hope you find encouragement, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of God at work in your life.

June 2012: I’m searching the net looking at airline fares. My desire was to go and see my parents. This was a usual ritual of mine every so often with hopes that I would see a fare that was reasonable. Didn’t happen often as I only saw my parents about every three years and most of those times they came to see me. But. . . this particular day I found an unbelievable, outstanding fare and immediately went to the Lord in prayer asking if this was possible and could I purchase these tickets for my husband and me. There was an underlying urgency with this request as my Dad was needing a two vessel bypass and a valve replacement. I wanted to spend some time with him in case this surgery would go bad. I bought the tickets.

I went to my boss at work and told her about my intentions to go see my parents in August. Unfortunately, I neglected to email her this information, even though we talked often of this trip in the office. (Understand I hold no blame on anyone. I believe it was the will of God as you will see soon).

First part of August my boss asked, “when is your trip again?” I reminded her it was set for August 29th. My boss, “I don’t have an email request from you.” I told her I thought I had but would send her one now.

That afternoon things turned interesting. As my boss passed by my desk to enter the office of her boss, I distinctly heard deep inside, “Sharon, you are on your way out of here.” I laughed to myself. After the meeting my boss passed by my desk, went to her office and emailed me a denial for my vacation along with an explanation that if I take the vacation I am signing my own resignation.

When I weigh family against work, family relationships and well being always come first. My Father could possibly be heaven bound soon and I believe God was leading me to go see my parents. I returned an email stating that she could then consider this my notice.

On August 25th I received a call from my mother telling me that my Dad was in ICU in a diabetic coma. God had affirmed that He was with me and I had made the right decision. My husband, daughter and I arrived at my Dad’s bedside on August 29th.

My Dad never did have the surgery. On September sixth my husband and daughter returned home while I stayed to minister to my parents. My Dad was diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) and over the next six months he was in ICU three times, nursing homes three times and home twice. In February 2013 my Dad began to regain a quality of life. He returned to his ministries at church and became active again. All praise due to God, the great healer.

I stayed on after that because my Mom was having health issues that they needed assistance with. January 2014, my Dad is beginning to change. He starts sleeping more. A doctor appointment shows that his liver is not functioning well. Mid February an ultrasound shows tumors in his abdomen. He quickly goes from cane to walker to wheelchair to bedbound. A liver biopsy on February 12th shows cancer.

My Dad went home to be with the Lord in his sleep on March 20th at 7am.

What a journey. I have grown more dependent on Jesus Christ, trusted Him in tough trials, basked in His love, rested in His peace, walked with Him, talked with Him and I love Him more than I ever have before. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

I thank my husband and children for allowing me this time with my folks, for their sacrifice. I thank God for the privilege to follow Him into the unknown (finances cut in half, away from husband, not knowing when or if I would return home), the honor and privilege to serve Him by ministering to my parents, and most of all for His ever present walk with me.

My journey complete with my Dad. Overjoyed with the time I had with him. On with the next journey as Mom and I discover His plan for us.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

For Dad:  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. — 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Blessings While Coming And Going

Mar19

All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God: — Deuteronomy 28:2   “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. — Deuteronomy 28:6

The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever. (Psalm 121:8) Forever is a long time. What a peace is ours knowing that in our obedience God promises to bless us as we come in and go out. As we grow in our obedience we learn to trust Jesus more and more as we see the blessings, experience the assurance of God’s promises kept, and draw closer to Him.

Drawing closer to Jesus I am confident that He is intimately acquainted with all my ways. He checks out my path and my lying down. He sees my ways and all my steps are numbered. From birth to death I am His. I love that He encloses me behind and before and has laid His hand upon me. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds His people from now and forever.

Why would we not want to be obedient? Built into obedience is trust, peace, security, intimacy, direction, and a relationship with God, the Almighty, Creator of the Universe, Father, and the lover of my soul.

Come and be blessed. Go and be blessed.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. — Psalm 139:3-5

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. — Psalm 125:2

“Does He not see my ways And number all my steps? — Job 31:4

For You have rescued my soul from death, My eyes from tears, My feet from stumbling. — Psalm 116:8

Be Blessed Where You Live

Mar15

All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God:  “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. — Deuteronomy 28:2-3

Wherever you abide in the Lord, whether the city or country, the blessings of God will come upon you and overtake you. Wow, overtake you! That’s awesome. Oh I almost forgot — that is IF you obey the Lord your God. That has been God’s plan since Eden when He placed Adam and Eve in the garden.

If we believe, we can trust that wherever God places us, He is in control and we are where God has planned for us to be. Abram trusted God and went forth from his homeland to where God sent him. Jesus came that we might have abundant life but what does that entail? Obeying Him, putting that obedience to trust in Jesus, knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us. I call that an abundant, blessed life.

So be obedient by studying the Word of God to know what you are to obey and enforce your obedience with prayer to strengthen your convictions and relationship with Jesus.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. — Genesis 2:15

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

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. — John 10:10