Tag Archive | Word of God

How Do You Handle That?

Jun26

When you “do good” — are obedient to God’s Word, will, direction, instruction and walking closely with Jesus — don’t you expect good results?

Going through a particular journey you know that God is present. He is guiding your every step. You see God at work and you feel extremely blessed. A lot of good is coming out of your obedience and God’s will is being accomplished. You are encouraged, blessed and praised by others around you. You are floating on cloud nine.

Then . . . the season of that journey comes to an end. You move on and it seems that all has been forgotten — all those “good things” that you did. The praise ends. It seems that no one cares. And to add to the feeling of abandonment comes persecution. Accusations of misconduct and inadequacy. “But I was in the midst of God’s will, doing what I believe the Bible instructs me to do. How can this happen?” How do you handle that?

Jesus was well respected by many people, especially those who benefited from His grace and power. He had quite a following. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26) who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; (1 Peter 2:22) You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. (1 John 3:5) Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” (Luke 7:9) Jesus was right in the midst of fulfilling the Father’s will and purpose. People were coming to Jesus and having their sin forgiven.

Then . . . accusations started to fly. And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed. (Matthew 27:12-14) In humiliation His judgment was taken away”  (Acts 8:33) He was good, loving, caring and obedient to the Father. He did not seek the praise of man but the will and praise of the Father. How could this happen to Jesus?

The Word of God says:
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. — Matthew 5:10-11
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. — John 15:20
Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. — 2 Timothy 3:12
If Jesus was persecuted we can expect to be persecuted also.

So, back to the question, “How do you handle that”? Remember! Remember to focus on Jesus and His example, how He reacted to persecution. Remember that He is with you always. (Deuteronomy 31:6) Remember where to stash your treasures. (Matthew 6:19-21) Remember His faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:23; Psalm 33:4; Psalm 100:5) Remember that all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) And remember to Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:12)

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Promises

Jun23

Remember His promises
Whenever you’re distressed
Remember His promises
They will bring you rest

His promises are found
In His precious Word
His guidance abounds
To lead us where we should

So seek Him always
Hiding in your heart
The promises of Jesus
From them never part

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

Continually Seeking Him!

Jun7

Amazing! God makes Himself so visible especially in those times of great need, when dismayed, fearful and weak.

God knows my heart and speaks straight to it. Open my Facebook page and out from the News Feed comes scripture of comfort, support, and strength from my dear friends in Christ who post the Lord’s Word. (I love how God uses all of us to minister to each other.)

Opening up the Word of God, the Scriptures draw me to words of comfort, support and strength as they jump out from the pages of God’s Word. Now opening up my Scripture treasure chest, I pull out the card of the day and there He is again.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10

So very grateful for my loving, intimate relationship with the Lord.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Walk In A Worthy Manner

May26

be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:9b-10

We cannot neglect the reading of the Word of God and expect to know or do God’s will. Without prayer we cannot be freed from the encumbrance of sin that entangles us. (Hebrews 12:1) Fixing our eyes on Jesus as we read His Word and pray, we are filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Want to know how to walk through life with fulfillment — bearing fruit in all good work — and increase in the knowledge of God? Read the Word and pray so that you walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. You won’t regret it and you will please God in all respects.

Don’t wait. Starting today make it a priority in your life to seek God through His Word, Jesus, and pray for understanding, spiritual wisdom and the knowledge of your Creator.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

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

I Will Rejoice!

May9

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. — Isaiah 61:10

Oh what great things He has done for us!!!

I will give You thanks with all my heart;
I will sing praises to You before the gods.
I will bow down toward Your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.
On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138:1-3

Thank You Jesus!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Dry And Weary Land

Apr29

[ The Thirsting Soul Satisfied in God. ] [ A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. ] 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 63:1

Have you been there? In a dry and weary land? I know I have. Unexplained weariness, trouble focusing, no motivation. The day, week, month just seem dry. No real explanation. The presence of God seems distant although you know better than that.

Why do you know better? Because you believe in the Word of God that tells you so. Refreshment comes when you remind yourself that “God, You are my God”. Then surrender to the thirst of the soul and yearning of the flesh to be restored to fellowship with the Almighty God. Seek Him earnestly and He will be found and you will be satisfied.

Hallelujah, praise to the King!!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Have You Tasted?

Apr24

O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! — Psalm 34:8

Have you tasted? Imagine an extraordinary gourmet food that excites the palate of whoever eats of it. It leaves every taster wanting more. To the sweet tooth it satisfies, the meat lover is pleased, the connoisseur is enthused and so on.

O taste and see that God is good. He meets us where we are, giving us what we need. All of us carry different types of baggage but the Lord still satisfies. We are each different and unique but He is good to all who come and take refuge in Him.

Come and taste for the Lord is good. His law, testimony, precepts and commandment (Word of God) along with His judgments are more desirable than gold. They are sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

The only thing stopping you from tasting is you. Won’t you come taste and see that the Lord is good? Come and taste.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. — Psalm 19:10

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