Tag Archive | trust

Slaughter or Deliverance?

Jul14

You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you. — James 5:5-6

All your possessions you hold dear are nothing when life is over. The wealth you count on, trust in, will be your demise. Trust in the Lord can save you but you choose to put trust in your wealth. (v.2-3) Your abundance of the pleasures and treasures of this world will be a witness against you. (v.3)

To succeed and be prosperous you choose to hurt, belittle, and cheat others. Your life focus is to be successful no matter the cost — even if it means condemning the righteous. Their cries will be a testimony against you! Your lustful desires of worldly pleasures and treasures for your own fulfillment with no regard for the poor and needy will be a testimony against you. Living life for yourself and for today only fattens you up for the day of slaughter.

Whom do you choose today? The world and it’s ways or Jesus Christ and His way?
Do you seek the things of this world or the things of heaven?
Do you reach out with love and charity to the world in need or are you just “all about me”?
Are you preparing for the slaughter or for the deliverance?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

The Promise of His Promises

Jun24

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. — 2 Peter 1:4

God’s promises come with a promise. God is so awesome! By His precious and magnificent promises we may become partakers of the divine nature. The likeness of God created in righteousness and holiness of the truth is in the new self we put on with the trusting acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior in our lives. We share His holiness. Isn’t that reason enough to trust in His promises? We are blessed beyond comprehension by the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s time to trust in those promises of God. His promises.

Let our trusting faith in His promises help us to grow in our faith until the day He calls us home. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. — 1 John 3:2

What a glorious day that will be. In the meantime seek the Lord and His strength while He can be found.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. — Ephesians 4:24

For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. — Hebrews 12:10

Most High, Almighty

Jun22

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. — Psalm 91:1

Asking the Lord for a verse to use in today’s devotional, He led me to this one. I couldn’t help but think back to Psalm 46:10 that tells us to be still and know that I am God. Being still and not reacting without guidance is really the challenge to trust in the Lord. As we cease striving for awhile, we dwell in the shelter of the Most High. We abide in the shadow of the Almighty wherein lies our strength and trust. How can you not trust in the Almighty?

Think on that one word. Almighty. All Mighty. There is nothing He cannot do, there is no one who can come against Him and win and there is no one who loves you more. Trust Him. Practice everyday surrendering more and more to Him and watch as Jesus transforms your life.

Be still and dwell in Jesus abiding in His everlasting shadow.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Know

Jun19

“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

Crowded

Jun16

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

Bitterness

Jun9

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” — Lamentations 3:19-24

Have you ever experienced bitterness? That something that is hard to bear, distressing, painful, grieving your soul that brings the taste of bitterness? Remember lest that bitterness turns to fierce, cruel, ruthless, relentless or hostile bitterness, that there is hope.

This is our hope: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

God has a plan and sometimes that plan doesn’t sit well with us causing bitterness. Take your bitterness to the Lord. His compassions never fail. He is faithful. Trust Him and wait on Him. He is our portion. He is all we need and the answer to all our woes and bitterness. He will renew you with His faithfulness and compassion every new day. Praise the Lord God Almighty.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Work – Ugh?

Jun2

With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, — Ephesians 6:7

If you work for a living you “render service”. What does your service look like? Is it an example to others that you serve God? Is your day filled with grumbling and complaining about how the “company” or “boss” is unfair and doing you wrong? Do you look at your day as “I can’t wait to get through it so I can do what I want after work”? Are you always in a hurry for the weekend? In a state of hurry do you mistreat people or grumble under your breath that they are slowing you and your productivity down?

OR

Do you look at your work as a gift from God to meet the needs of your family and yourself? Do you face each day looking to see how you can fulfill God’s plan of salvation through your actions and attitude? Do you respect your authority as much as you respect God?

Is God not in control? Are the people in your life who slow your productivity not put there for a purpose? The purpose may be to teach you patience or perseverance or trust that God is in control. Or is that person there so you can be a witness of God’s awesome mercy and grace?

It really is all about God. May God bless your work day.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

See His Greatness

May29

‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours? — Deuteronomy 3:24

What a word of praise and awesome wonder when God reveals Himself to His surrendered servant. When we trust and rely on Jesus Christ with our fully surrendered lives, we see His greatness and strong hand in our lives. There is no doubt that God is alive and working among His people.

I believe there is no greater work or mighty act today than the reconciliation of us to God Himself. God is actively working in our lives to mold us into His perfect people. The transformation process, although tough, is a beautiful thing to behold. In ourselves it is usually seen in hindsight but watching it in others is so exhilarating and exciting. Let me share an example:

My future son-in-law and daughter found a wedding dress the other day for
their upcoming wedding on Saturday. They left the store with the security
tab still attached to the dress. My son-in-law tried to remove the tab that
has ink on the inside and of course the ink bled all over the dress. My
son-in-law is a baby christian – accepted the Lord as a child but never
experienced any walk. I have been praying for him for many years . . .
but back to the story. He returned the dress and got a new one but that
is not the best part of the story. This is the text I received from my
daughter when I asked what happened with the dress situation: “He got it.
Last large they had. . . he said he kept praying and when he found it he
was thanking Jesus over and over”.

I was rejoicing and thanking the Lord for this transformation experience. Thanking the Lord for His greatness. Who can do such works and mighty acts as these? My God and Him alone.

Thank God for His transforming work in the lives of His people. Something only He can accomplish.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Hope, In God or Riches?

May28

My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. — Psalm 62:1-2

My soul waits in silence for God only. In silence. Quietness to hear the still small voice of the Lord. To be filled with the peace of God that comes in the silence of my prayer closet. He is my rock and salvation, my stronghold.

My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. — Psalm 62:5-6

Addressing my soul, I say, “wait in silence for God only”. He is my hope, my rock and salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, my strength.

7 On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. — Psalm 62:7-8

On Him alone rest my salvation and glory. I shall not be shaken! I shall trust Him at ALL times and pour out my heart before Him in prayer.

If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. — Psalm 62:10b
He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. — Proverbs 11:28

Where is your trust today?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

My Heart’s Desire

May24

 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:10
Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. — Psalm 37:4-5
Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. — Deuteronomy 10:14

To God be the glory!

God is our Supplier. He supplies all our needs according to His riches — He owns cattle on a thousand hills — to Him belong heaven and earth and all that is in it. Is there anything you need that He cannot supply? The Bible says “no”.

Sometimes though, we want. Does God give us our wants? Sometimes . . .

My husband and I are on a fixed income due to my not working so I can care for my Mom. My daughter is getting married and the plan was for a very simple wedding. Bride, groom, and two witnesses with my husband doing the ceremony. Well, my Mom and I are here now to celebrate this covenant marriage which means more family members wanting to be present and as word gets out more and more want to be a part.

Back to finances. I desire to make my daughter’s special day a precious memory and so to prayer I went.

Bottom line — God has supplied what is needed to make it a special event financially. I did a little investigating as to how much supplies would be and the store I went to has all wedding paraphernalia at 50% off. Is my God amazing or what?!!!!  I delight myself in the Lord and He gives me the desires of  my heart. Be clear that the desire of our heart is really the desire of God’s heart made manifest through us. Just as we give special treats to those we love, God sometimes gives us special treats too.

I commit my way to You my Lord and trust in You. Thank You for fulfilling this desire of my heart. To You Lord God be the glory!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon