Tag Archive | soul

Childlike Trust

Sep7

Childlike Trust in the Lord.
A Song of Ascents, of David.

O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
2 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever. — Psalm 131

Childlike faith leaves no room for worry, no room for stress from responsibility or “too much on my plate”, or insecurity. My Father has it all under control. I can trust that He wants the best for me and will supply all my needs. And . . . if I would just get out of His way and let Him lead, I would be so much more secure in my life. As David pleads with Israel to hope in the Lord, I believe the Lord wants us to hope in Him from this time forth and forever. It is so worth it.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

WAIT!!!!!!!!?

Jul25

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

Prophesy

Jul12

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

Conviction

Jun11

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

Adorned

Jun8

Adorn: to make more pleasing, attractive, impressive, etc.; enhance:
Synonyms of adorn: embellish, beautify, enhance, enrich, array

that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. — Titus 2:10

How do you wear the doctrine of God our Savior? Are you aware of your speech and actions at all times and how they could affect your witness of the One you represent? What is your first response when you realize you haven’t represented the holy, perfect, worthy God? Does it tear at your very soul and crush your heart? Do you run to the throne of God seeking His forgiveness?

Let us be so entwined in our relationship with Jesus that every deviation from His teachings makes us sorely regretful. Let us adorn the doctrine of God in all things. In this way we are a witness of a wonderful, merciful, holy, loving God.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Afflicted And Needy

Apr21

Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to You I cry all day long. Make glad the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. — Psalm 86:1-5

Have you ever been troubled greatly, afflicted? Afflicted so much that you are needy, in need of practical or emotional support? I’m sure you have. Who do you turn to?

I’ve been there. Wanting so much to be godly as I cry out. Lord, is there a hidden motive in my request for help in my distress? Am I being selfish, stubborn, greedy, angry, or desiring pity? My first request is to ask for forgiveness if there is any deceptive way in me. Lord, You are good and ready to forgive.

As I humbly pour out my heart to You, my Lord, I seek Your grace and salvation as I trust in You. Hear my supplication, O God. In my need, O God, I lift up my soul asking You in Your lovingkindness, to those who call upon You, make my soul glad.

All I can say is that my God is faithful. He loves me and hears my prayers. After such an ordeal He affirms His love and faithfulness by sending me to this scripture. He reminds me that He loves me and listens to my prayers, He is gracious and forgives my sin, and then He reminds me of His faithfulness when He restores my soul.

Distressed? Troubled? Take it to Jesus.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Afflict: to distress with mental or byodily pain; trouble greatly or grievously
Needy: in need of practical or emotional support;

“afflict.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 20 Apr. 2014. .

(“needy.” Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. 20 Apr. 2014. <Dictionary.com)

The Words of My Heart

Mar2

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. — Deuteronomy 6:5-6

I know I have done a devotional on the first and foremost commandment before but I believe it is worthy of repeating again and again just as it is in the Bible. The focus this time will be more on verse 6.

Moses was serious about His relationship with God and fulfilling His purpose. He wanted the Israelites to be serious about it too. Is your relationship with the Lord and His purpose for you a serious matter in your life? Is it important enough to share with others? Do you impress the Word of God on your heart and soul?

This is really not an option. It is a commandment. So if you love the Lord your God, you will read His Word, pray for understanding, and practice what you read. Be a walking testimony of God’s Word. Maybe that would be like binding them as a sign on your hand or as frontals on your forehead. Be so transparent that Jesus is seen written all over you and when you speak you proclaim the words of God. Be a blessing.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. — Deuteronomy 11:18

Love the Lord – Part 3

Jan23

and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,  — Mark 12:30

How do we love our Lord with all our soul? We need help because we are not able to love God on our own. Ezekiel 18:4 says, “Behold, all souls are Mine;”. Our souls belong to God. Because He is our God and our souls are His, our natural desire is to thirst and pant for Him.

He gives us the desire to cling to Him, to earnestly seek Him. As we seek Him our soul grows to love Him more and more. Seeking Him through His word it helps us to know Him and the more we know Him the more we love Him. In this we can rejoice and praise Him!!!

So seek Him earnestly through the word of God, prayer, and praise.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Ezekiel 18:4  Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The soul who sins will die.

Psalm 63:1  O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Psalm 42:1-2 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalm 63:8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 119:75 Let my soul live that it may praise You, And let Your ordinances help me.

First and Foremost Commandment

Jan20

and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.  – Mark 12:30

God commands us to love Him with “all” or with our “whole” heart, soul, mind and strength. Out of 44 Bible translations, 40 use the word “all” and 4 use the word “whole”. The Message translation reads, “love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’” This translates to me to love God with my whole being, all that I am. To make loving Him my passion and using my mind and energy and soul (deep longing) to accomplish it.

Mark 12:29 says that this is the foremost commandment. It is high priority, of utmost importance. Loving God is the most important thing we can and should do in our lives. But the only way to truly love God with all we’ve got, all we are, is by having a personal relationship with Him, God, for He is love. 1 John 4:8,16.

The greatest love anyone can experience is the love of God. Loving Him we get to experience first hand an abundant, everlasting, unconditional love. He is waiting to forgive you just for the asking of His forgiveness and believing that God raised Jesus from the dead. Acknowledge that Jesus is your Savior and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. Then begin loving Him with all you’ve got.

If you prayed asking Jesus into your life, would you please tell someone? You can even leave a comment telling me. I will rejoice with you and pray for you. If you prefer your comment to be private just put in the comment not to publish it and I will not post it.

Begin today loving God completely with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

New Year’s Resolution?

Jan2

Psalm 25:1 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

The soul. The life and spirit of each person. So, to lift up my soul to the Lord is to lift up my life, my spirit. Lift or raise as an offering, a sweet aroma to God. An offering, a sacrifice on the altar of God. God desires your free will offering – your life – to be given to Him so He can do a marvelous work in you. The work of restoration of your soul (clean up the gunk and make better) and then His work to the world through you. Are you willing to lift up your soul to the Lord God and be renewed, refreshed, changed for the better? May God lead and bless you and your endeavors to lift up your soul to Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon