Tag Archive | strength

Hope is the Lord

Apr14

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. — Jeremiah 17:7 (NKJV)

Here’s another “blessed is” statement. God loves to bless His children. But what does it mean to trust?

Trust: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc. of a person or thing; confidence/Confident expectation of something; hope/A person on whom or thing on which one relies

Confidence: full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing

We are blessed when we put our reliance, confidence, full trust, hope and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our example of real integrity and strength, who is more than able to supply all we would ever need, who is trustworthy and powerful.

Where is our confidence and peace in life? In hope that is based on God. Seek Jesus who is our hope!

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. — Hebrews 11:1

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

Second Chances

Feb21

That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children,  That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, — Psalm 78:6-7

When I look back over my child rearing years I see many regrets and failures. If I could change or have do overs I would say the name”Jesus” more often. I would tell the plan of salvation until they understood. I would point out the attributes of a living God. My lips would testify more often of His greatness, goodness, provision, compassion, mercy and grace. My children would hear the Word of God more often than Sunday mornings. They would see me praying more often and family prayer would be more than just before eating or sleeping. They would know that Jesus was a very real part of the family Who would go with them out into the world when they started their own journey.

If only . . .

God is a God of second chances. Maybe becoming a grandmother is my second chance. I just found out I am to be a grandmother for the first time. I am so excited about this new creation being formed and woven in it’s mother’s womb. I give thanks to my Lord for my grandchild who is fearfully and wonderfully made. This baby’s frame is not hidden from Him and all it’s days are already ordained and written in His book.

God has given me a second chance to make a monumental difference in a child’s life. Thank you Almighty God. To you I will look for strength and seek Your face continually.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. — Psalm 139:13-16

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually. — Psalm 105:4

Thank You Christ Jesus

Feb20

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, — 1 Timothy 1:12 (NLT)

What an honor and privilege it is to be a spokesperson for God Himself. That He would think me faithful and trustworthy to serve Him so blesses my heart. “But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me” my journey of a lifetime truly began.

In serving the Lord I am only worthy because God revealed His Son in me and by His strength alone I can do all things. As servants of our God we do well to recognize that we are not adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves but our adequacy comes from God through whom our only power and success come.

Our trust and dependence must be solely upon our Lord. We must seek His ways and be obedient with total surrender. When we are, we will see the glory of God at work in us and in those lives we touch. Are you ready for the adventure God has planned for you? He is waiting to reveal the infinite things that Jesus Christ can do through you.

Seek Jesus and let Him transform you.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, — Galatians 1:15-16

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:13

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, — 2 Corinthians 3:5

Love the Lord – Part 2

Jan22

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

“with all your heart”

How? By a new heart given by God. (Ezekiel 36:26) My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart (Psalm 73:26). The Lord will circumcise your heart to love the Lord (Deuteronomy 30:6:). It is all about Him, isn’t it? God is love and He is the One who enables my heart to love Him. Mind boggling.

What can we do? Pray asking the Lord to create in me a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10) and search me, O God, and know my heart (Psalm 139:23). We need to set our heart to seek the Lord (2 Chronicles 12:14). We need His word — please receive instruction from His mouth and establish His words in your heart (Job 22:22).

I do my best to follow Your commands. You are the One who gives me the desire (willing heart, understanding) (Psalm 119:32).

We need a relationship with Jesus Christ so we can love the Lord our God with all our heart.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Deuteronomy 30:6 Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

2 Chronicles 12:14  He did evil because he did not set his heart to seek theLord.

Job 22:22 Please receive instruction from His mouth And establish His words in your heart.

Psalm 119:32 I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart.

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