Tag Archive | saints

1 John 1:3-4

Aug3

what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
1 John 1:3-4 NASB

Joy made complete. What is joy made complete?
When the fellowship I have with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ is shared with you — my family, my neighbors, my co-workers, anyone who knows and loves Jesus as I do. That is why I share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I came to the realization of my need for Christ at the age of 15. At that time I thought myself a Christian. I went to church. I was a good, polite and moral young lady. At 11 I took a class to learn how to be a Christian and was baptized. I was now good to go.  .  . live as I wanted to. I had a place reserved for me in Heaven. No Hell for me.
Until God set me straight at 15 with a movie called, “A Theif in the Night”. That movie shook my world and made it clear that living a Christian life is more than having a mansion reserved for me in heaven. Or a happy life or being a moral person. The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  – Proverbs 1:7 NASB
The fear of eternal condemnation woke me up to my need for Christ. My need of a relationship with Him. It has not always been easy but it has all been worth the journey since I bowed before my Savior Jesus Christ at my bedside at the age of 15 and gave my life to Him, making Him Lord of my life.
Now I am reminded that,  “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

Lord God, my Father, I thank You for that faithful, fateful night You called me to salvation, a true salvation. I thank You for not giving up on me but continually perfecting Your workmanship in me, Your creation over the years. I am grateful for the hard times that have strengthened me, making me more dependent on You. I thank You for the times of rejoicing because  of the good work You are doing in me and through me. I thank You faithful God for calling me into fellowship with Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord. May I never stop speaking about what I have heard or seen of Your mighty work unto salvation. And I pray, Lord God that You would use this testimony to touch lives for salvation, which is Your will, and for Your glory!! In Jesus name, amen.
Ephesians 2:10/1 Corinthians 1:9/Acts 4:20 NASB

🌹But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.
John 5:34 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Advertisement

Philippians 1:1-2

May23

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints (holy ones, i.e., God’s people) in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi* (a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony) including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:1‭-‬2 NASB

🌹As a holy one in You, Christ Jesus, I seek Your favor, not that of mankind, as Your bond-servant. I pray Lord God for Your called overseers who shepherd Your church which was purchased with Your own blood. I pray for Your called deacons who care for the members of Your body.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of Your great love with which You loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, You made us alive together with Christ. By grace we have been saved, and raised up with You, and seated us with You in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come You might show the surpassing riches of Your grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace we have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a wonderful gift of You, God; not as a result of works, so that we may not boast. Lord, lift up Your countenance upon us, And give us peace.’ Amen
Galatians 1:10, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 2:4‭-‬9, Numbers 6:26 NASB

*Acts 16:12: Philippi

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

The Church

Nov24

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:1‭, ‬3‭-‬4‭, ‬12 NASB

Prophesy: to speak as a mediator between God and humankind or in God’s stead.

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. 1 Corinthians 14:24‭-‬25 NASB

What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26 NASB

🌹 The Church: Body of believers gathered to love, edify, advise, discuss with one another.

Results: The conviction and salvation of the unbeliever through the unity of the body’s prophesy. Edification of the church as we share with one another a psalm, a teaching, a revelation.

For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:31‭, ‬33 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Hugs

May3

For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the  hearts of the saints have been  refreshed through you, brother. — Philemon 1:7

I’ll start out by saying that I am a huggy person. My children are very aware that hugs are mandatory when you walk in the door and when you leave (a few during the visit doesn’t hurt either). I love that I work at a Christian entity and get to give and receive hugs from co-workers. A hug to me is encouragement, acceptance, love and honoring.

My parents church, that I had the privilege of attending for 21 months, was that kind of church. Sunday mornings I was fueled up for the week. When we were visited at home hugs were plentiful.

The idea of this to me is that family hugs one another. Along with those hugs comes genuine concern for another, taking time to listen, sending cards or emails to say, “Hey, I care and was thinking of you today and said a prayer.” Connecting. Making a difference in someone’s life.

To me a hug is not just a hug. It is so much more. Is your church just a gathering of people or are you family? Is your love for the saints refreshing them? Do they know the love of the Lord and being refreshed by you?

This verse just brought this to mind today and I’m sure has nothing to do with hugs specifically, but are the saints in your life experiencing the outpouring of God’s love from you?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

P.S. Handshakes work too.

Transparent So Others Hear

Apr29

because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; — Philemon 1:5

Are others aware of your faith in the Lord Jesus? Do others see your love for the saints (believers, followers of Christ)? I’m speaking of places outside the walls of the church. Is God’s love and your faith transparent? The world needs you to be.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Praise, Sing, Worship Together

Apr19

Praise the Lord!

Sing to the Lord a new song,
And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. — Psalm 149:1

Hope that this day finds you gathered with the saints in worshipful praise to our Lord.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Greet

Apr2

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also  greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from  Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and  Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the  household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. — Romans 16:1-16

18 times the word “greet” is used in this passage. I just had to look the word up. . .

According to dictionary.reference.com it is 1. to address with some form of salutation; welcome. 2. to meet or receive. It’s a verb meaning it requires action.

The Greek word for “greet” is aspazomai. It means “to draw to oneself”. To salute, greet, bid welcome, wish well to; receive joyfully, welcome. “Used of those accosting anyone; of those who visit one to see him a little while, departing almost immediately afterwards; to pay respects to a distinguished person by visiting him; of those who greet one whom they meet in the way; a salutation was made not merely by a slight gesture and a few words, but generally by embracing and kissing, a journey was retarded frequently by saluting” (Greek Lexicon)

How do you greet the Lord’s saints? Do you acknowledge your brothers and sisters in Christ with joy, respect, acknowledging your love for them in Christ? Are they encouraged and lifted up by your greeting? Remember that “greet” is an action word. Greet the saints with the same respect you would Jesus.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

I Never Knew You

Sep29

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ — Matthew 7:21-23

The reality of this verse breaks my heart. I wonder how many who believe they are Christians will hear these words of our Lord when the day comes and they stand before Jesus.

Jesus states here that the one who does the will of the Father will enter heaven. Jesus did the will of the Father. Jesus is our example. Are you practicing the will of the Father or still seeking after your own will and desires? Have you surrendered your life to live for Jesus or are you living for yourself? Are you seeking the will of the Father by searching the scriptures to know His will?

Many who call themselves Christian are hard workers in the church. Some do good to others for the betterment of all. Some are nice, lovely people but are simply playing the game, the Christian game. If I do this or do that I will make it to heaven. But do you seek the Lord? Do you walk minute by minute with Him? Is He your all in all, your everything? Do you know Him?

Are you calling yourself a Christian but still living a sinful life? Do you use the excuse that you are a sinner saved by grace? Christ paid the price so you could be a saint, a saint because of the price Christ paid. Are you still practicing lawlessness? Did Jesus practice lawlessness? NO. We are to strive to be like Jesus and yes because of our sinful nature there will be times when we will fail and sin. But walking closely, obeying the will of God and trusting Him minute by minute we can keep ourselves away from the power of sin over us. So walk in the grace of God as you obey the law and do the will of the Father for His glory.

I really hope you will evaluate your walk with Jesus. Do you know Him? Are you going to hear those dreadful words? I hope not.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Fear of the Lord

Apr25

O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. — Psalm 34:9-11

O fear the Lord – “worship Him and make conscience of your duty to Him in everything, not fear and shun Him but fear and seek Him”.* Fear the Lord, you His saints – people of God^; believers^; godly ones«.

We, His children, in seeking our Lord find all we want. He fulfills every desire we have in Him. Not the desires of our sinful flesh but the desires that come from our personal walk with Jesus. We are satisfied because our hearts seek the heart of God, truly being what we want.

The Word promises that those who seek the Lord will not be in want of any good thing. He does not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. How do we walk uprightly? By fearfully seeking Him and keeping His commandments. Remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

The Lord gives grace and glory and His praise endures forever.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. –Psalm 84:1
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. — Psalm 11:10

*Matthew Henry Commentary
^Dictionary of Bible Themes – saints
«Psalm 31:23