peaches and life

When we moved to Pueblo because Mac’s brother Pat’s health was going south and he needed help, we bought a little old house.  In the back yard was the small dead looking tree, half of it was gone and the stump cut and scarred from a lightning strike.  Mac cut back the branches of the half tree drastically.  It has grown little by little and it is shown in the picture.  It may look a little whacky in shape but what you can’t see are the dozens of peaches growing and weighing down the branches.

My peach tree makes me think of lives ruined by poor choices that led to more poor choices.  And all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD.  But regardless of where someone is today, it doesn’t have to end there.  GOD has a better plan and HE is a better tender of trees than even Mac.

**Step 1 – Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 

Realize and confess that you are a sinner.

Romans 3:10-12, As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, they have together became worthless; there is no one who does good.  Not even one.

**Step 2 – Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Realize the awful consequence of sin and that eternal life comes only through Jesus Christ.

Revelation: 20:15, if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

John 3:18, Whoever believes in HIM (JESUS) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of GOD’s one and only SON.

**Step 3 – Romans 5:8 But GOD demonstrates HIS own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, CHRIST died for us.

John 3:16 GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only Begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM will not perish but have eternal life.

Realize that JESUS CHRIST loves you and has paid the penalty for your sin.

GOD the FATHER sent JESUS to earth because HE loves you (John 3:16).  JESUS CHRIST died on a Roman cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  CHRIST’s death demonstrates GOD’s wonderful love for every person.  When JESUE died, HE took your sin upon HIMSELF and paid the price.

**Step 4 – Romans 10:9-10 and 13 That if you confess with your mouth, ‘JESUS is LORD’ and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 
   For ‘everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD will be saved.’

That is, you must confess that JESUS is GOD the SON (LORD), that HE has authority over your life, that HE died on the cross and rose from the dead to forgive your sins.  By faith you believe and are made right with GOD the FATHER. 

The Bible says,” For everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” Romans 10:13

GOD wants you to trust HIM.  You do that by calling on the name of HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST to save you from your sins and give you eternal life.

And it doesn’t stop there, like my peach tree that with loving care now bears wonderful fruit, the one who comes to CHRIST is a new creation and GOD can do wonders with your life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things become new.

The choice is yours.

Hugs

Sharon

Old Fashion Prayer Meeting

I am so glad I listened to the nudging of the HOLY SPIRIT to go. 

One week in 2017 woman visited our church and many others with signs saying PRAY for PUEBLO to set out in our yards.  I got one and it has been out in my front yard since.  Then just last week I got another postcard inviting me, since I had that sign in my yard, to a citywide prayer meeting for our city-Pueblo.  After some hesitation I put out a fleece. If the person who was due to stop by to pick up lessons for our Bible study came and left in time I would go. I was in no hurry as we visited and I learned about her recent trip. She left just moments before the meeting was to begin but I felt an inner urge to go anyway, so I did.  I arrived a few minutes late. 

After the preliminary introduction on how they were moved to start the prayer meeting, they instructed us to break up into small groups, turned our chairs in a circle and then pray as led. 

The group I was in had 7 people.  It was a bit awkward at 1^st, but then one began praying for our schools, another followed with the lies being presented in our schools, another begging the GOD would expose the lies of the evil one as such to the students and our government (John 16:8) and more. 

Then we really got to praying as we went into praising and thanking GOD for HIS goodness (Psalm 95:2) , confessing of the Church’s and our city’s sins (1 John 1:9, Nehemiah 9:2) and we cried out that GOD would stir our (believers) spirit’s within us according to HIS purposes and our personal assignments and to care for others as JESUS cares for us (Haggai 1:14, Ephesians 2:20) and it seemed to me as if I had be transported back to the early 90’s and the city wide prayer meetings  we had in Colorado Springs in different churches but hosted by Every Home for CHRIST and those we had for the 10/40 Window.  Then we began to stand the gap for the backslidden and lost (Ezekiel 22:30) many who were street people, addicted, in gangs and those in deep depression. 

I left the meeting feeling I’d really prayed, one with the strangers I had prayed with and confident that our ALMIGHTY GOD had heard our words and hearts and was pleased with our cries for revival within the Church, for boldness and for the lost being saved.

Malachi 3:16-17 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord

hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before HIM for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon HIS name.  And they shall be MINE, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up MY jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Wow! The very thought being a jewel in the crown of the KING?

Do you hear GOD’s heart in those verses? I do!

Hugs

Sharon

Alarm

Friday was hot, so the moment I got into the truck, even before I put my seat belt on, I turned the key to start the truck up, so I could get the ac going. Immediately, a loud shrill beep-beep-beep began blaring. My truck was just telling me to put my seat belt on.

Its reminder is good motivator for me, and whatever passenger who forgets to click it.  

The seat-belt alarm sounding off today, reminded me of the built-in alarm system that GOD has given each believer in JESUS to remind them of important things.  

“But the Comforter, which is the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the FATHER will send in MY name, HE shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said to you” (John 14:26).  

Although I have studied the Bible for years and years, I still need HIM to teach me. And there are times I need to be reminded. If the stress of the moment, and the badgering lies of the evil one, gets my focus tunnel visioned onto a problem, and off GOD’s presence and promises, I need a reminder.  

Way back in the olden days it was the habit of many a mom to tie a string on her child’s finger to help him remember something. While in the Old Testament days, GOD had HIS people sew blue tassels on their clothes to remind them of what GOD said. But now, in GOD’s wisdom (knowing I am but dust) HE was faithful to me (I Thessalonians 5:24) has given me (and every other believer in the LORD JESUS CHRIST) what was needed by sending the HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 1:13) to remind me of what I need to know.  

Just when I need it the most, the HOLY SPIRIT nudges me, by whispering a piece of a verse into my mind. It is the very thing needed to remind me of GOD’s ways and promises so I can cope with my now situation. My focus becomes reestablished, and I know the next step to take.  

Please note: The HOLY SPIRIT is faithful to remind me, but, then the ball is in my court. I must choose whether to believe HE knows what HE is talking about or do things my own way. If I go with HIS reminder, I am walking in the SPIRIT. But, should I not trust HIS leading, I have turned to lean on my own understanding, and walk in the flesh.  

I am so glad I have a built-in alarm system, because I do get distracted, and even at times forget.   Looking unto JESUS and listening to the HOLY SPIRIT.

Hugs Sharon

Cast after cast

When my youngest grandson, Zachary was 2 he had to have his feet amputated and both legs were cast. Our go-getter, nicknamed “Taz” because of his constant zipping around was being hindered from his whirlwind activity and didn’t like it one bit.

He believed the casts were the problem, not something intended to help him. Therefore, time and time again he would contrive, wiggle and jiggle, pull and push until he had his casts off (after 11 re-casts I quit counting).

Each time the casts came off necessitated an immediate 120-mile one way trip to the Children’s Hospital in Denver, for no one else would touch him. We found that out the 1st time around.

A sweet gal who was praying for Zack (bless her heart) asked a question. “Isn’t he old enough to understand not to pull his casts off?

If something is wrong Zack, like his Grandpa Mac wants to fix it.

The word wait meant nothing to our 2 year old. All he understood was that nobody was fixing his problem the way he thought they should. So, he was bound and determined to fix it himself. Certain that the casts themselves were the problem, he figured getting rid of them was the only solution and was determined to get out of his casts.

Regardless, of what we did and believe me we tried all kinds of things, Zachary managed to free himself from the casts time and time again.

Now aren’t we all a bit like Zack? When GOD doesn’t answer our problem the way we want RIGHT NOW, don’t we often set out to fix it ourselves?

But GOD says, “Wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and HE will strengthen your heart; wait, I say wait on the LORD ((Psalm 27:14).

Looking unto JESUS and trusting
hugs Sharon

But I prayed!

Have you prayed and then all hell breaks loose?

Truly the Word of GOD is living and powerful and sharper than any 2-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) and produces faith (Romans 10:17) in those who will receive it.

This morning my girlfriend Sandy text me Romans 8:26-29.

It begins by telling how the HOLY SPIRIT helps us by praying for us because we don’t know what we really need (Just like we can pray and intercede for others) according to the will of GOD (Romans 8:26-27).

Then Romans 8:28 explains how GOD takes the good (like my friend’s text to me), the bad and ugly (struggles and troubles that come our way) and stirs them all together for an end result of good.  Just as we take the ingredients for a cake, stir and beat it together and put it in a hot oven for the end-result of a tasty cake.

The end-result of good that GOD is working toward is described in Romans 8:29 as being conformed (perfected) into the image (divine nature) of JESUS as one of GOD’s children and brethren to JESUS.  Children by the way that act like GOD our FATHER.

What a word of assurance that was for me as I reread those verses this morning.  To me they explained that when I pray, then troubles escalate it is GOD’s Word playing out in life and clearly states it is for the purpose for all the trouble is to bring that one into conformity to JESUS divine nature as one of GOD’s precious children.

Sure, changes the way I look at such circumstances!

Hugs

Sharon

More about JESUS

In these last days the Bible tells us that deceivers will come so I have developed the habit of asking GOD to keep me and those I teach from deception and to expose all lies while we seek to obey HIM in growing in our knowledge of GOD and our LORD JESUS CHRIST. I humbly suggest you do that before you read any post, mine included.

After singing a song to GOD a yearning to know JESUS better rose up within me. I spoke of it to the LORD and opened up the Word of GOD in Colossians 1 I got to verse 15 where it speaks of JESUS “Who is the image of GOD, the first born” then an avalanche of verses began to tumble one after another into my mind. It was mind-boggling. But not one thing was new, all the verses I knew, it just had all come together in vibrant neon clarity.

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with GOD and the WORD was GOD.”

The WORD is as eternal as GOD the FATHER.

John 1:14 “And the WORD was made flesh (that’s JESUS) and dwelt among us, (and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth.”

The eternal WORD who was with GOD in the beginning was JESUS.

Philippians 2:6-7 “Who (CHRIST JESUS) being in the FORM of GOD (a Spirit-John 4:24), thought it not robbery to be EQUAL with GOD. But made HIMSELF no reputation and took upon HIM the FORM of a servant (by being) made in the likeness of men.”

John 4:24 “GOD is a Spirit: and they that worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and in truth.”

GOD’s FORM is spirit therefore, JESUS’ FORM before being made in the likeness of man was spirit.

Luke 1:35 “And the angel answered and said unto her (Mary), The HOLY GHOST shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that HOLY THING which shall be born of thee shall be called the SON of GOD.”

The eternal WORD made flesh was JESUS (John 1:14). Prior to being made flesh HE was in Spirit FORM and equal to GOD the FATHER (Philippians 2:6-7) from eternity past so was there at the beginning of all things.

HIS human FORM was begotten as none other. Notice it says ONLY Begotten- none other was ever formed this way. No human man was involved- for the HOLY SPIRIT hovered over Mary and her egg united with the SPIRIT of the eternal WORD (Luke 1:35) (who was GOD John 1:1) and thus the eternal WORD was Begotten of GOD in time. HE had a GLORY of GOD the FATHER, GOD’s divine nature, for HE was GOD the SON.

Hebrews 1:1-3 GOD who at different times and in various ways spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken to us through HIS SON, whom HE has appointed heir of all things, through whom also HE made the worlds; Who being the brightness of HIS GLORY, and the express image of HIS Person, and upholding all things by the Word of HIS power, when HE (JESUS) had HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the MAJESTY on high.

Although JESUS always was with GOD the FATHER and was HIMSELF GOD (John 1:1) and had made the heavens and the earth and everything within them, GOD the FATHER used human men-prophets- to speak to the masses of humanity. But once the eternal WORD (JESUS) came into the world HE took over and HE revealed the FATHER to mankind. HE lived out GOD’s nature and fulfilled prophesy by healing the sick, raising the dead and preaching the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18), HE died on the cross carrying the sins of the world and earning redemption through the shedding of HIS blood, even the forgiveness of sin for all who would believe in HIM (Colossians 1:14, John 3:16).

All who believe in JESUS gain not just forgiveness of sin but eternal life (John 3:16).

John 3:16 “GOD so loved the world that HE sent HIS only Begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Hebrews 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children (you and me who believe in JESUS) are partakers of flesh and blood, HE also HIMSELF likewise took part of the same; that through death HE might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE GOD and are the CALLED according to HIS purposes. For those HE (GOD the FATHER) foreknew (knew-before) HE also did predestinate to be CONFORMED to the IMAGE (divine nature) of HIS SON (JESUS), that HE (JESUS) might be the firstborn of many brethren.

1 Corinthians 1:2 “…CALLED to be saints along with all who call upon the name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD…”

2 Peter 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceedingly great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

GOD is calling us to come to JESUS to be saved and all the good and bad and ugly that assaults us GOD uses for an end result of good to conform us to the divine nature of JESUS.

Though eternal in HIS SPIRIT FORM-JESUS human FORM was born of Mary and in this way, HE became the firstborn and only Begotten of GOD. Then something wonderful happened. Through JESUS’ completing HIS earth assignment to live perfectly, die carrying all the sins of the world, and rise again HE opened the way for mankind to be born into the family of GOD. JESUS called that to be born again of the SPIRIT by believing in JESUS (John 3:3-5).

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

John 1:12 “But as many as received HIM (JESUS), to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name”

JESUS was the first in human form to be born of GOD, by believing in JESUS we are born again into GOD’s family and become a child of GOD.

Romans 8:16-17 The SPIRIT ITSELF beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of GOD: and if children, then heirs; heirs of GOD, and joint-heirs with CHRIST; if so be that we suffer with HIM, that we may be also glorified together.

Glory be the name of JESUS

What a mighty GOD we serve. In these verses we see GOD the FATHER, GOD the WORD made flesh who is JESUS, and the eternal HOLY SPIRIT. Aren’t they marvelous?

Rejoicing,
Hugs
Sharon

Walk in the Spirit?

Walking in the Spirit

thoughts

Walking  in the Spirit sounds so spiritual, one might think  he must be an angel  or at least super spiritual to walk in the Spirit. But the truth is that’s just not so.

All that is required to be walking  in the Spirit is to decide to think about, and pay attention to the things of the Spirit.

the world’s thoughts

For those who walk in the flesh have their mind (thoughts) on the values of this world . But those who walk in the Spirit (by His power) direct their thoughts to God’s values and choose to go by His nudges (Romans 8:5)

As we subject ourselves to the inward nudges He gives us we hear a word in our spirit “this is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21, Philippians 2:13).

Isn’t that simple? All we have to do is choose what we think about, and what thoughts to reject (sometimes) calling out to God for help (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Looking  into Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. 
Hugs  
Sharon

Looking  into Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith. 
Hugs  
Sharon

The longer the test

We learn about GOD in HIS word by how HE has acted in the past. We learn about how the LORD will act for us in how HE has worked in the lives other people. Some of the ways HE works we don’t like for they are not the way we would do things. HIS ways and thoughts are vastly higher and better than our ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

I was greatly encouraged this morning concerning all the struggles me and my family are in as I read:

Ps 105:19 Until the time that HIS (GOD’s) word came, the word of the LORD tried (tested) him (Joseph).

That verse talks about what GOD was doing before HE fulfilled the prophesy HE had given the young lad Joseph in 2 dreams. You remember him, he was the lad who had a coat of many colors. It also hints at how Joseph struggled although he remained faithful during the years of testing.

After giving Joseph the wonderful prophesy of what he would become, the LORD tried and tested him in several ways that seemed totally unfair for one who loved the LORD and refused to sin against HIM. Finally, 13 years as a slave and prisoner after being sold by his own brothers to a caravan headed for Egypt, the time of beginning of the fulfillment of GOD’s word to him came. Then it was 7 more years till his brothers bowed down to him as told in his 1st dream, and yet another year or so before the 2nd dream began to be realized.

That was a lot of testing over a long period but during it all, GOD made HIMSELF known to Joseph and blessed him by giving him favor where he was at.

It is amazing to ponder, GOD blessed him during the years of testing in the midst of the struggles and exceedingly abundantly rewarded him when the time came for GOD to fulfill HIS purposes for and HIS word to Joseph.

Our GOD, the GOD who never changes, will do the same for me and you. Is it a time of trial and testing? Be faithful to GOD and HE will bless you during the struggles and reward you when the work is done.

It has been said, “The longer the testing, the bigger the blessing!

Looking unto JESUS,
Hugs
Sharon

Seeing is NOT believing!

Hearing of the newest and horrible problem that my daughter is facing on top of the multiple struggles already going on just blew my mind. I ran to God. Talking with Him He calmed me and reminded me of His words.

Now Jesus said :Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Seeing is never believing: we interpret what we see in light of what we believe. /Oswald Chambers

What I see is serious situation totally and humanly impossible but I believe God’s word.

Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God (Romans 10:17)

God says, all things are for your benefit and your troubles are achieving for you eternal wonders that far surpass the pain of today (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

May sound crazy 😜 but that is what God says and He is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19).

Will you receive the truth and believe or push it away? It’s up to you.

I receive it. 
Hugs 🤗 Sharon

Another lap

Are you getting tired of taking another lap in the wilderness/ of making the same mistakes over and over again? 

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again. Ecclesiastes 1:9

Or can the cycle be changed?  It can!  But we must let go of the past and choose to allow GOD to take the old away and give you something new and better.

Turn your eyes to JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and there can be change. For GOD is faithful who calls you who will also do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24) and HE will make it clear to you what you need to know (Philippians 3:13-15).

Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember not (forget) the former things, don’t (even) consider the things of old (your old ways).  Behold I (the LORD) will do a new thing…

Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with HIM by baptism into death: that like as CHRIST was raised up from the dead by the glory of the FATHER, even so we also should walk in the newness of life. (it is in GOD’s time).

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if a man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Matthew 1:21 …call HIS name JESUS for HE will save HIS people from their sins. 

For those HE (GOD) foreknew (would love HIM/ Romans 8:28) HE did predestinate to be conformed to the image of HIS dear SON (participate in JESUS’ divine nature/2 Peter 1:4), that HE might be the firstborn of many brethren. Romans 8:29

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge HIM (speak to GOD about them) and HE will direct your path. Be not wise in your own eyes Proverbs 3:5-7a

It is GOD the HOLY SPIRIT who changes us (2 Corinthians 3:18) but we can speed up the process if we cooperate with HIM.

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to prayerfully consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding and keep you from deception (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