Are you deeply troubled or worried?

Oh soul are you  troubled or weary, no light in the darkness you see.  There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free.

Are you deeply concerned or worried? Do you have any troubles?

We live in the last days (2 Peter 3:2–3), current events indicate perhaps we are even in the days when the 1st 5 of 7 seals are active (Revelation 6), the last seal, the seventh seal, opens up the beginning of the 7 trumpets and the wrath of GOD. But the seals bring tribulation and we face troublous times. During these times we must look to JESUS.

My style and word choice is somewhat different, and I’ve added a point here and there of my own in this post on PEACE IN A STORM, but I’ve used a concept and scriptures taken from my Facebook friend Bud Snyder’s message for it is message for these stormy days.

Perhaps you like me find that much opposition that comes against you is from the religious and maybe your families think you are a bit off, plus as a whole there is an increase of sickness and troubles but if you follow JESUS you can have peace.

Even with the constant opposition from the Jewish religious leaders, HIS immediate family thinking HE was crazy, JESUS remained calm.  HE knew the truth of who HE was and what HE was going to accomplish so placed all drama into the FATHER’s hands and rested HIS tired body, closing HIS eyes HE went to sleep in the back of the boat, in the midst of a raging storm (Mark 4:38).

His disciples were frantic as they shook JESUS awake saying don’t you care.  Has it ever seemed like GOD didn’t care?  To me it has and at those times I must run to the throne and open the Word of GOD.  I always find peace there.

The storm didn’t affect JESUS, and if we follow HIS example of resting in the arms of GOD, we too can face the storms of life full of peace. Let’s look at what HE tells us.

“Be anxious for nothing (don’t worry), but in everything by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to GOD; and the peace of GOD, which surpasses (throws you beyond having to have) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Our peace, that calm we experience through the storms of life, comes because we are resting in the powerful arms of GOD. JESUS, the LORD of heaven and earth, is with us.

HE said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

“Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“These things I have spoken to you, that in ME you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Speak a verse out loud just as JESUS did when the devil came at him (Matthew 4:3-11). A verse like the one King David spoke, “At times I am afraid, I will trust in THEE (GOD) Psalm 56:3. For the word of GOD is the sword of the SPIRIT and drives back the enemy. It also declares the glory of GOD’s power.

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Ring the bells

Merry CHRISTMAS!

An old song comes to mind this morning,

“Ring the bells, ring the bells let the whole world know CHRIST was born of Mary many years ago. Born to die so man could live came to earth new life to give. Born of Mary born so low, many years ago”

Whether it is the exact date is insignificant, for today we celebrate that JESUS CHRIST came in the flesh. That GOD the SON laid aside HIS rights and privileges and came to earth and was born with a human body. HE came with a mission to reveal the FATHER and then die to save sinners. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD” Romans 3:23.

There are many false prophets and teachers. Don’t believe everyone but test what is being said by the Word of GOD.(see I John 4:1).

“Hereby know the SPIRIT of GOD, every spirit that confesses that JESUS CHRIST (the Messiah) is come (was born) in the flesh (with a human body) is of GOD.” 1 John 4:2

And every spirit that does not confess that JESUS (GOD the SON) came in the flesh is not of GOD and this is the spirit of antichrist who is already working in the world (see John 4:3).

Who do you think is influencing a person when he/she objects to the announcement and celebration that in HIS great love for us that GOD sent HIS only begotten Son to the world in a little helpless human baby?

Without the manger there could be no cross where our sins were paid for.  Both were awesome sacrifices.

I urge you in Christ’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Practicing

A few days ago, I walked into a home and it was such a delight to see an old piano, like my Dad bought when I was in the 6th grade. I began to take piano lessons at that time, it didn’t come naturally, and I have short stubby fingers, so it was hard.  But I would sit down on the piano bench and plunk away at the scales to the beat of a metronome. My teacher insisted that I use a metronome, hoping that it would increase my sense of tempo. It actually did, plus Praise the LORD, in GOD’s mercy it prepared me for the days when I would lose my ability to hear many of the notes. For I can still pick up on the tempo and enjoy the rhythm even though some sounds are gone.

Daily I would faithfully sit and practice the scales and simple songs, but I never got very far in learning to play for my instructions were cut short. It was a time of much upheaval in our family, and a few months after starting lessons I moved hundreds of miles away to live with my grandmother. Set in a strange new world getting to know my grandmother who I’d only seen once a year, going to a new school, and meeting new people pushed thoughts of playing the piano far away, and since money for lessons just wasn’t there, I never had another opportunity.

As I read in 1 John 3 my thoughts turned back to those daily practice sessions sixty-two years ago.  Sometimes it seemed like drudgery to do my scales. 

Turning my thoughts back to the Word I pondered and celebrated with thanksgiving GOD the FATHER’s unspeakable love shown so clearly when HE gave the LORD JESUS HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believed in HIM would not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). And I marveled at JESUS who freely and deliberately laid down HIS position and right, was given a body and came in the flesh as a little baby human baby and was born and placed in a manger. JESUS grew up, taught and modeled GOD the FATHER perfectly, then died on the cross for the sins of the world, rose again on the 3^rd day, and is now seated at the right hand of FATHER GOD awaiting the day when HE will come to literally reign on the earth.

But somewhere in between HIS re-entrance into heaven and sitting down at GOD HIS FATHER’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3), and when HE comes back to reign (Revelation 19:11), JESUS will come in the air and catch away those who believe in and are looking for HIM (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Revelation 7:9-14). That time when HE appears to catch us away from what is coming, is what caught my attention in the verses below, and content that follow. For it shows us what we are to be PRACTICING until that day.

There is an old saying, “Practice makes perfect”.  I’m sorry I never got perfect in playing the piano, but I do spend my days practicing what the Word of GOD says.

“…We are now the children of GOD, but it has not yet appeared what we will be. We know that when HE (JESUS) appears we will be like HIM for we shall see HIM just as HE is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on HIM, purifies himself, just as HE is pure (I John 3:2-3).

The verses following the above text, I think tell us how to purify (Greek means-live like one under a vow) ourselves as HE is pure (Greek means blameless, innocent, modest). We fix our eyes on JESUS and determine to follow HIS actions/ to do as JESUS would do.  Though it is only possible as we look to HIM and HE strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Now here comes the part about PRACTICING and it must be extremely important for 6 times from 1 John 3:4-10 the Greek word poieo is used. The NASB translates that word practicing all 6 times. When used as a participle that word means to be continually, actively devoted to, follow, practicing something.

The verses tell of practicing doing right, or following JESUS’ actions, and being right (1 John 3:7), or practicing sin and following after the devil (1 John 3:8). 

There is a strong emphasis in these verses, that if you belong to GOD you will practice doing right. That is, you will want to do what is right and good. But just as I would slip and hit the wrong note as I practiced the piano, or as today I hit the wrong letter when I was texting, I sometimes slip and sin. I do not delight in sinning, and am not practicing making mistakes, but sometimes it just happens,

On the other hand, the lifestyle of this world, doing things “my way”, is practicing sin. Cain is spoken of in 1 John 3:11-12. He is said to be of the devil. But even before he murdered his brother, it is written that his works were evil. What did he do wrong? He was a farmer, was that wrong? I don’t think so. But Cain offered his work to GOD as an offering, when GOD had said it must be a blood sacrifice. Doing things our own way, instead of GOD’s way is evil. It is following the devil’s way of wanting to be in control and the one who called the shots.

Our FATHER in heaven has decreed that we who love HIM will be transformed into JESUS likeness (Romans 8:28-29). On our own that awesome transformation is impossible. The context indicates it is through hard times, and good that the process is carried out. It is the work of the Holy SPIRIT (2 Corinthians 3:18), but we can practice what we learn and thus train ourselves to discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14). In this way, we purify ourselves even as HE is pure.

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

I urge you in Christ’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

The third reason

This holiday season is known for an abundance of goodies and the result is often eating and drinking too, too much. I determine to say no to too much but somehow end up saying yes. The result is unwanted weight, tight clothes and sometimes a stomach and a headache.

Then, if I decide I need to go on a diet, what do you think my 1st thoughts are of? Yep, you are right. I think of food. Why is that? For years we lived in bondage to our old sin nature serving the prince of the power of the air, the devil (Ephesians 2:2). It is like a person who becomes addicted to drugs. What began as pleasure has become a task master that enslaves and controls him. But it’s not hopeless for there is a GOD of hope who has sent a Deliverer.

“And she shall bring forth a son and you shall call HIS name JESUS for HE shall save HIS people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Laying HIS glory aside, JESUS, truly GOD, through whom all things were made that were made (Hebrews 1:2) took on the very nature of a servant, was given a human body and born a babe in Bethlehem. This same ONE became obedient even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). HE did it all for you and for me.

We think of Matthew 1:21 speaking of two things: JESUS birth and death to save us from the just punishment of our sins. But I think it speaks of 3 things.

1-Yes, HE was born, HE who is the radiance of GOD the FATHER’s glory and the exact representation of the Divine essence (Hebrews 1:3) When JESUS came down from heaven to the earth, HE showed us what GOD is really like. Hebrews 1:1 says it is through JESUS that GOD is speaking to us. If you want to know more about GOD the FATHER/ or GOD the Holy SPIRIT then just look at JESUS- GOD the Son and YOU will find the answers.

2-Yes, JESUS came to die. HE became obedient even to the death on the cross (Philippians 2:8) that HE might be the sacrifice for sin. I accepted JESUS as my Savior and my sins are washed away! Have you?

But HE didn’t come just to show us what GOD is like and to take the punishment for our sins.

3-JESUS came to set us free from the power our sins have over us. You and I both have areas of weakness. Everyone does. JESUS came to give us all we need to overcome those weaknesses. Through HIS great and precious promises (by using them) we gain power to do right (2 Peter 1:4).

But HOW? It is called the simplicity that is in Christ JESUS. When you are tempted, when there is a struggle within, run to JESUS; tell HIM all about it and HE will understand- for in all ways HE was tempted as you are yet never sinned (2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 4:14-16). He will give you grace (that is whatever it is that you need) to help in your time of need.

Basically, it works this way for me. I am aware that I need to do one thing. If I set out to do whatever I know I am supposed to do I am empowered to obey. I may not want to but if I keep the goal of walking with JESUS before me I will do it. When I feel I am too weak I will speak aloud a promise personalized such as, “I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), “I can overcome them because greater is HE who is in me than he (the tempter) that is in the world” (1 John 4:4) or “if you have done it to the least of these MY brethren, you have done it to ME” (Matthew 25:40). The more I choose to do this, and it is a choice, the easier it becomes. For the more time I spend with JESUS in HIS word and prayer and obedience, the more I think and act like HIM (2 Corinthians 3:18, Hebrews 5:14).

I love those words “call HIS name JESUS for HE shall save HIS people (those who believe in HIM) from their sins.” My sins were paid for and now I am forgiven, and when I look to HIM GOD enables/empowers me to be an overcomer so that my weaknesses no longer control me.

Once I come to JESUS, even when I don’t look to JESUS, GOD is faithful to HIS decree that every believer in JESUS will be conformed to the image of JESUS (Romans 8:29). So, GOD works within me to make me willing; but it is through hard stuff like discipline (1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:11).

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Lettuce taco bout JESUS

S1For Christmas one year my granddaughter Crystal gave me a red t-shirt that pictured a taco and said “lettuce taco bout JESUS”. She picked it out cause she knows me.

The reason I love the Christmas season is not the hustle and bustle of festive activities but because during this time people seem more open and willing to talk about JESUS and how GOD revealed HIS amazing unlimited love for us. The prophet Isaiah spoke of JESUS birth “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call HIS name Emmanuel, which means GOD with us” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23).

Christmas is the time when we celebrate that GOD the SON came to earth. It may not be the actual date but that doesn’t matter for we are celebrating the truth GOD humbled HIMSELF and came to be with us and reveal HIMSELF to us.

Of all the wonderful things I am thankful to JESUS for, 1 stands out above all others (after my salvation, that is). That wonder is JESUS is with me just like HIS name Emmanuel implies. (GOD with us).

Life is full of struggles, JESUS said in this world you will have tribulation. Right now one of my children is trying to find a place to live for her family of six but has had one door shut in her face after another and the time for her to get out of their present house is just days away. But JESUS is here with us and says, “Let not your heart be troubled, believe in GOD, believe also in ME” (John 14:1).

Every day HE meets with me early in the morning and throughout the day as things come up, I turn and talk to HIM about them. All I have to do is cry out to HIM and HE is there to talk to me. HE lets me vent, calms me down, encourages me or drives my fears away by bringing a Bible verse to mind or simply by flooding me with HIS peace. Each time I ask, HE shows me the next step I should take, but not necessarily what HE will do. HE doesn’t always take the problems away and I’m not saying I always understand what is going on, because I don’t. But HE does show me (places in my heart Philippians 2:13) my part so I can take that step.

Knowing that HE is with my kids in their struggles, and that HIS plan for them is good (Jeremiah 29:11), that HE is still in control and things that happen have purpose and are not just haphazard takes the burden off my shoulders as a mom. It enables me to encourage my children instead of stress with them.

Yes, GOD the SON JESUS CHRIST’s name is Emmanuel- GOD with us and that name is very precious to me for it reminds me that HE is always with me. HE promised never to leave me alone, nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).

But like I said, HIS Presence and name Emmanuel holds 2nd place to HIS name JESUS… for JESUS means “HE will save HIS people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). When JESUS died on the cross, HE paid the penalty for sin and whosoever believes in HIM appropriates that and will not perish but has everlasting life.

“For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM (JESUS) will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

What about you? Have you believed in JESUS?

“If you confess with your mouth the LORD (Master) JESUS and believe in your heart that GOD has raised HIM from the dead you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto (and it is accounted to him as) righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs
Sharon L Manning

How did she endure?

How to endure

Let’s look at a little more about Mary.  She was a young teenager when the angel came to her. 1st he said, “Do not be afraid,” and told her that she was highly favored in GOD’s sight; that GOD had selected her to carry and bear HIS Son; and she was also promised that her boy would save HIS people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  To encourage her she was told that nothing was impossible with GOD (Luke 1:37). Talk about blow you away! Mary must have been flabbergasted.

Though knowing the disgrace, it might bring, Mary willingly yielded her life to GOD. Then she went to see her cousin Elizabeth, whom the angel told her about. Elizabeth’s greeting was another mind-blowing experience as her relative told her that the fetus/John the Baptist had jumped in her womb at the sound of Mary’s voice. More promises were given Mary as Elizabeth prophesied (Luke 1:41-45). Then Mary found herself speaking wonderful things herself, they just sort of flowed out of her.  It was amazing.

How she dreaded telling Joseph, but he came to her and told her of an angel coming to him.  Then came the hard times, the mocking and rejection of her neighbors and friends when she started to show, the long trip to Bethlehem, and then her labor started but there was no room for them in the crowded inn, her mom wasn’t there…

What did Mary (or for that matter even Joseph) think and feel as her contractions began that night when they were so far away from home? Naturally, their initial reaction was fear. The fears must have been tremendous. For the liar- Satan loves to whisper accusations against GOD and cause us to fear.  Fear is one of the devil’s choice secret weapons.

What helped her to cope with her fears then and later when they were told to flee to Egypt? Yes, Joseph was there, but he too was facing the impossible and knew fears. Did she do it scared, as my precious pastor’s wife would say?

I believe what enabled Mary and Joseph to cope were the promises. When the angel appeared to each of them separately his 1st words had been, “Fear not.”  I can’t help but think those words came back to them that night. For it is written that the great and precious promises are given us that if we use them we will be able to overcome the struggles (2 Peter 1:4) if we acknowledge GOD and talk to HIM about what’s going on and thank HIM for being in control, HE will surround us with HIS peace to throw us beyond having to understand (Philippians 4:6-7).  We will have confidence and peace though it may not make a lot of sense to us.

This we know, GOD cannot lie (Numbers 23:19) and when HE says something it will happen, we can count on it. When all look dangerous she could remember what GOD had said would occur and would know that somehow GOD would get them through it all to the end.

Are you, am I in the Word of GOD (logos) so that the Holy SPIRIT can take it and give us a promise (rhema) meant for us in our present situation? Promises are there to claim and to enable us in our times of struggle.  Grab a hold of them and use them.

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Why did HE pick Mary?

Why Did GOD Pick Mary?

Ever wonder why GOD chose the teenage girl named Mary to be the mother of JESUS? GOD’s ways and thoughts are not our thoughts and ways but are higher than the heavens above our thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Yet at times The MOST HIGH gives clues that are pieces of the puzzle of why HE does what HE chooses to do. Though there are a lot of unknowns, I think there are a few Biblical clues that point to why Mary was given the assignment and honor of being JESUS’s mother.

The first is a basic reason of why GOD choose Mary, “GOD deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And HE chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. GOD chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of GOD” (! Corinthians 1:27-29 NLT).

Mary unquestionably fits the bill: she was poor, young,uneducated, powerless and like most women of that day she was considered nothing.

The next reason I think GOD chose Mary applies to every one of us. GOD never changes (Malachi 3:6), and it is written that one of HIS eternal ways is that HE selects and plans according to HIS foreknowledge- things HE knew before they happen (I Peter 1:2). An example of this is seen in Psalm 139:4- our omnipotent (all-knowing) GOD knows what we are going to say before we say it. HIS absolute knowledge is why HE can accurately tell the future without manipulating us like puppets.

What HE looks at is- not so much what we do but- our heart’s attitude. Even though David was far from perfect, he was a man after GOD’s own heart (I Samuel 13:14). That is David sought GOD and what GOD desired.

We must remember that “ GOD sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7 NASB). That heart attitude desiring to know and worship GOD is very precious in HIS sight. GOD sent the angel Gabriel to Mary with the words that she was highly favored (Luke 1:28) during her conversation with the angel she declares she is the willing obedient servant of the LORD, which clearly indicates she had a heart that sought after GOD.

What is in our hearts- what we think about and desire- will overflow into actions. That is why we are told ”Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT).

Now that brings us to the last reason I am going to mention on why I think GOD chose Mary. When the Angel came to Mary and told her she was to have a son, she didn’t argue or refuse or say, “it is my body”- Mary simply asked, “How can this be?” That is- she wanted to know how it would take place.Then- understanding that it didn’t require any wrong action on her part and fully realizing that she could be stoned to death for getting pregnant without being married, Mary submitted herself fully as a living sacrifice to GOD to use her according to HIS great plan. “I am the LORD’s servant.” Mary answered, “May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38 NIV).

“GOD resists the proud but gives grace to the humble”(James 4:6). Mary humbly submitted herself to GOD. In other words she was willing to trust GOD and do what HE asked her to do.

A heart willing to trust GOD and do what HE wants is precious to GOD. Are you, am I, willing to trust HIM and obey when we don’t understand and regardless of the consequences?

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Keep looking unto JESUS(Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Hard but so worth it

Running the race GOD has set before us (Hebrews 12:1) can be very much like a boot camp testing race or like the annual Spartan race. Two years running my daughter Shirley trained for and ran the Spartan Race. The course is extremely hard and daunting- going up and over and crawling under things and through the mud as you can see in the picture showing her receiving her metal. But by sheer determination and the encouragement of her teammates she made it to the finish line both times, exhausted but full of joy.

Seeing a need and wanting to help I have rushed ahead without thinking and committed to projects that were overwhelming or at least too much for me. Plowing through to the end is sometimes excruciatingly hard, but what awesome joy I feel when I have achieved the goal and completed what needed to be done. As I have gotten older my body doesn’t completely co-operate and I am limping to the finish line and then laid up a day or so afterwards.

Well, JESUS laid aside HIS GOD powers and glory, stepped out of heaven and onto the earth and took on a project as a human man that took HIS all: blood, sweat and tears and then some…

Beginning by coming to earth as a little helpless baby, about 33 years later JESUS finished up HIS project to make a way for us (mankind) to be reconciled to GOD by paying for man’s sin on the cross.  Hebrews 12:2 tells us that as HE hung on the cross bearing our sin that HE set the joy of what HE was achieving (the bringing of many to GOD) before HIS eyes. Even though HE despised the shame HE chose to focus on what would be achieved not on HIS pain nor on the unfairness of it all and thus was enabled to stay the course.

Just as the pain JESUS endured achieved wonderful things, GOD tells us that our struggles in life are achieving for us. As JESUS showed us, we need to focus on what is being achieved and not on the struggle we are enduring for the struggle is temporary but what is being achieved is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

You know how you feel when you have completed a large project? The greater the challenge the more the joy of accomplishment. Right? Well, In Isaiah GOD tells us that is true also concerning JESUS .

Isaiah 53:11 When HE sees all that is accomplished by HIS anguish, HE will be satisfied.

Let’s choose to follow the pioneer of our faith who focused on the joy of what HE would accomplish and was enabled to endured the torture and shame of the cross (Hebrews 12:2). If you are in a rough place, don’t focus on what you can see… your situation, but rather focus on what you can’t see yet… that which GOD is achieving for you through that very set of circumstances… You too will be satisfied when you see all that GOD has accomplished through your anguish! (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

So what’s it all about anyway?

In this busy Christmas season of buying presents and going to parties lets stop and consider the true Christmas spirit.

The true spirit of Christmas is summed up in the heart of GOD the FATHER and GOD the SON.

“GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believed in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16

Let this mind be in you which was also in CHRIST JESUS. WHO being in the form of GOD didn’t grasp (or hold on to) HIS equality with the FATHER or hold onto to HIS position of honor and power along with HIS rights. But made HIMSELF of no reputation, HE emptied HIMSELF out and took upon HIMSELF the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man(see Philippians 2:5-7).

JESUS was made in the fashion of man. Why? so HE could humble HIMSELF (even more), and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (so that HE could save HIS people from their sins)(Philippians 2:8, Matthew 1:21).

Are you, am I willing to give up any of our rights or goods to help someone in need?

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10), guide you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthen you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10),and enable you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

What do you savor?

Does it matter to GOD what brings us pleasure and what we focus our attention on?

Have you ever heard one in sin, or into the things of this world say, “GOD and I are good.”  Two standout in my mind one was a pastor who loved to flirt: (who soon fell) and another a drug addict.

Peter was in the inner circle of JESUS disciples.  When JESUS was preparing HIS disciples by telling them about how HE was going to suffering and die, Peter said, NO! LORD that will never happen to YOU.” (Matthew 16:22). 

JESUS (usually so gentle) response was quick and sharp, “Get behind ME Satan!  You are an offense(temptation) to ME.  For you are not savoring (desiring and setting your mind on) the things of GOD but on the things of men” (Matthew 16:23).

That tells me two things: that what we think and focus us does matter to JESUS and that it can effect/influence others.

What do you savor? Do you delight in the things of this world or the things of GOD?

Consider these things and may the LORD guide you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthen you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10)and enable you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon