Snake in the grass

A snake in the grass

As young girl of six or seven, living in the mountains, I was very much a tomboy. Being my dad yearned to have a son, but ended up with three daughters, may have caused some of my tomboyish ways. Daddy was a teacher, and for one learning session he took us (the handful of students from his one room schoolhouse) in what today would be considered a field trip down the hill and across the highway to the grassy meadow. Then he led us down a path to the nearly hidden creek, lined with tall grass and fuzzy brown cattails. I loved the way they felt.

There he caught a small harmless snake that he had noticed as it soundlessly slithered over the rocks and through the grass. Dad said the snake was harmless and I believed him. Feeling very brave, I begged Daddy to let me carry it back to the schoolhouse, and with a wry smile he handed the colorful little snake to me. But the other girls who saw the snake, squealed and scattered. So naturally, I began to chase them with the snake held out in front of me, laughing all the while.

The devil entered a snake to entice Eve to commit the first human sin (Revelation 12:9). GOD put a special dislike of snakes in women, way back then in the Garden (Genesis 3:15) as HE began to reveal some of HIS strategy in dealing with sin by prophesying that her seed (JESUS) would crush the serpent’s (the devil’s) head (Revelation 20:2).

Over and over and over again, problems came up, and instead of asking GOD for help, the Jews GOD was leading to the promise land murmured and complained, and cried out, “Where is GOD?” Even so, GOD, in HIS great mercy, always came through and met their need. Even after seeing GOD deliver them over and over, providing them with food and water, fighting their enemies, the Israelites continued to murmur and complain.

Sound familiar, trusting GOD to save us from sin but not help us with our daily problems?

One time the people became very discouraged because of the way and spoke against GOD and Moses. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among them. When a person got bit, they died. Immediately the people understood it was their murmuring and complaining that had caused this, so they ran to Moses and begged him to pray to the LORD for them. GOD told Moses to do a strange thing.

GOD told him to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole and put in on a high place, so all the million + Jews could see it. If someone got bit, all he had to do was to look at the snake on the pole. If he looked, he would live. But, if he didn’t believe it would help, so refused to look at the snake that was lifted up, he would die. (Numbers 21:4-9).

JESUS talked about that very snake on a pole. When HE said, “As Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man (JESUS) must be lifted up. That whosoever believes in HIM, should not perish but have eternal life. For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM, should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:14-16).

Just as the Jews had to look to the snake on a pole, to be cured from the deadly snake bites; so, we must look to JESUS, who carried our sin on the cross, to be cured/ forgiven of our sins and given the righteousness of GOD (Romans 3:20-22). The snake (a picture of sin) on the pole was the focal point to the Jews who got bit by a snake, even so JESUS (who carried all our sin on the cross) is our focus point that saves from our sins (Matthew 1:21).

Did you notice it was the murmuring and complaining that got the Jews into trouble? It showed that they didn’t trust GOD or praise HIM for the wonderful things HE had done for them.  Do you, do I, ever murmur and complain? Or do we look to the LORD and trust HIM to know best how to deliver us?

Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

hugs

Sharon

Warning

As you have read through GOD’s Word has the LORD ever given you a warning that didn’t seem to apply to you? 

As I was compiling the homework questions for my class in Deuteronomy I came upon the warning GOD gave the Jews not to bow to idols and it brought back memories for back in 1997 GOD gave me that warning and it just didn’t make sense to me.

It was just before my girlfriend and I went on a prayer journey to Indonesia. A prayer journey is going to a place and praying for the good of the place on site with insight.  In order to get the insight, we did a lot of pre-praying and research.  During a time of prayer concerning our upcoming prayer journey I was warned by the LORD to be careful not to worship idols.  I thought it strange, very strange, but accepted the word.

While on the island of Jakarta before going on a tour of a temple with many idols, our guide told us to pick a blossom off the bushes.  I did so and stuck it in my Bible that I carried everywhere on the journey.  When we got to the elephant head god of prosperity the guide told us to place the blossom on the altar in his hands.  I turned and left the cave immediately thinking “whew, that was close” because I realized that act of offering a flower to that false god was a form of worship.  But as I turned to leave I could not help noticing that the other Americans on the tour were following the guides instructions. Whether they realized it or not they were worshipping idols. 

Then days later when we got to Bali, literally everywhere we looked, even along the road we saw altars filled with flowers and food. Some were to false gods and some were to pacify demons or ancestor spirits.  After visiting and praying over the Mother Temple and several other places it was time to go home. As we were leaving our hotel to go to the airport to fly home I was carrying our bags down the stairs and it felt like someone was shoving me and I had to struggle to keep from falling face down before another statute of that elephant headed prosperity god that was at the feet of the stairs.

Laugh if you will, but I feel that it was demonic trying to make me bow before that idol.  I thought of that warning from the LORD had given me to be careful not to bow down before an idol.  HE knew what was coming and the two attempts to get me to bow.  GOD is so faithful who called me (warned me) to enable me (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

I am so glad I took GOD seriously even though what HE warned me of seemed so farfetched.

Hugs

Sharon

GOD cares

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13

GOD is light, and in HIM is no darkness at all. The very nature of light is to reveal, to show what is in the darkness. Our magnificent Almighty Creator’s very nature is to reveal. Throughout nature and HIS word, HE progressively reveals HIMSELF through HIS awesome wonders.

Sitting in my back yard, in the cool of the shade of early morning, enjoying and praising GOD for the beautiful and peaceful setting HE has given me. Suddenly my thoughts went back over my life, and I was amazed anew at how patient and compassionate the LORD has been with me.  At times I wanted this and that and chased after foolishness, looking this way and that to fill the longings within me. Slowly, one by one, the good LORD exposed that my seeking out people’s good opinion of me, acceptance, fun, or productivity, all that I chased after, was mere chasing after the wind. Through these disclosures, HE began to reveal HIMSELF to me, and to fulfill my longings.

But I know many, who also got caught up chasing after the empty, yet bedazzling enticements that this world offers.  As scripture says they have emptied themselves out (2 Kings 17:15). Now, they feel hopeless, and live in despair, while I have peace and joy.

What is the difference? We both sought after the things of this world.

The answer is simply JESUS. JESUS caught my attention and I came to believe in JESUS, and asked HIM to save me (Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13). Since then when I have a longing, I talk it over with JESUS…bringing to HIM those thoughts and as I do, I begin to see things from a different angle.

As GOD reveals HIMSELF, HE also, exposes what lies in the darkness. Since we have very comparative natures, when we look at what GOD shows us of HIMSELF, we see that we fall short of HIS glory (Romans 3:23). We are exposed as lacking. Those determined to keep doing what they know is wrong turn from the light and refuse to come to the light -which is JESUS- lest they be exposed and convicted (John 3:19-20).

The neat thing I have found is when I go to JESUS (the light) HE gives me peace and direction.  HE does not rail on me because I have not measured up, instead HE gives me grace that helps me do what HE and our heavenly FATHER wants done (Hebrews 4:16).

Taking every thought to JESUS

Hugs,

Sharon

Are you looking?

The Last days began when JESUS rose from the grave for through HIS blood on the cross HE paid for all sin and instituted the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 9:15). 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 learn about and follow HIM.

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.”

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.”

GOD is CALLING us to come to JESUS to be saved.  When we accept HIS truth instead of pushing it away (Romans 1:18-20) we answer that call and are saved as we CALL upon the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST (Romans 10:9-10, 13, 1 Corinthians 1:2).

Then GOD uses all the good, the bad and the ugly that assaults us in life for our good to conform us to the divine nature of JESUS (Romans 8:28-29, 2 Peter 1:4).

Though eternal in HIS SPIRIT FORM,-JESUS human FORM was shaped in and born of Mary and in this way, HE became the firstborn and only Begotten of GOD. When JESUS’ completed HIS earthly assignment to live as a man perfectly, die carrying all the sins of the world, HE rose again opening the way for mankind to be born into the family of GOD.

JESUS calls that to be born again of the SPIRIT and it happens when we believe the good news that GOD sent JESUS and JESUS died for us and rose again (John 1:12, 3:3-5).

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 is coming again for all those who look for HIM (John 14:3, Hebrews 9:28) and with the birth pangs we see in our world today it may be sooner than you or I think. Are you looking? 

Rejoicing in hope,

Hugs

Sharon

What we can’t see

Reading a missionary letter today I came to a little episode in their life here in the “states”.  Due to Covid-19 they are unable to return to their overseas field and are staying with friends.  The missionary saw a “weed” and wondered why her hosts were allowing such a scraggly looking thing to exist in their otherwise beautifully manicured front yard.  Her curiosity got the better of her and she asked about it.  They replied, “It’s not a weed…just wait and you’ll see!”     Sure enough, she related that before she knew it, that scraggly-looking ‘weed’ started producing the most beautifully vibrant orange-red poppy flowers!   I needed to hear that true story today, for what looks like a scraggly weed in my life looks especially bad today and it got me down.  I needed that reminder to not look at what is seen for it is temporary, but to look to what is not seen -that which GOD is achieving behind the scenes, for it is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).   You see GOD has given me a promise that my weed is going to blossom, but HE has also said that it is for an appointed time and that I must be patient and wait for it (Habakkuk 2:3, Hebrews 10:36).   Is there a promise GOD has given you that you are waiting to see bloom?  Remember that GOD makes things beautiful in HIS time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).   Looking to and for JESUS the Author and Perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2) Hugs Sharon

In these days

Some may think that to walk 🚶🏼 in the SPIRIT you must be super spiritual. But the truth is it is just not so. All that is required to walk 🚶🏼 in the Spirit is to decide to think about what GOD wants and pay attention to the whispers and inner nudges of the SPIRIT.

We have seen glimpses of it overseas for years but right now, right here in America with the Corona-virus and violence circumstances certainly look tremendously like how JESUS described the times just before the Day of the LORD (a 7 year period of great Tribulation that will be the end of the world as we know it). “For nation (Greek=ethnic group) will rise against nation (ethnic group), kingdom against kingdom, there will be famines and pestilence and earthquakes in divers places” (Matthew 24:7).

The result is much fear, stress, and uncertainty for those in the world who know not CHRIST. Although it should not be, unfortunately, even many Christians are experiencing those things for their eyes are on the things they trust in, things of the world.

Christians who are fearful concerning these events are not looking to GOD and trusting HIS control, plan (for all this is outlined in the prophesies of the Bible) and promises. They, perhaps unconsciously, are trusting in man or themselves to solve the problems. We must not leave GOD out of the picture. We are called to walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

As Oswald Chambers said: Seeing is never believing, we interpret what we see in the light of what we believe. Faith is confidence in GOD before you see GOD emerging; therefore, the nature of faith is that it must be tried.

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 direction and power) direct their thoughts to GOD’s values and choose to go by HIS nudges (Romans 8:5).

“This I say then, walk in the SPIRIT, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

As we choose to submit to the inward nudges the HOLY SPIRIT we become aware of GOD’s Presence with us and promises to us and the SPIRIT calms us, giving us HIS peace and directions in our spirit saying “this is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21, Philippians 2:13).

It really is that simple. All we need to do is choose what we think about, and what thoughts to reject. Sometimes it means to call out to the LORD for help to do it (Hebrews 4:14-16).

But I urge you look unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Hugs
Sharon

Receive?

Words draw pictures in our minds.  But there is a problem, sometimes words do not mean what we think they mean.  Therefore, we misunderstand what is being said.

According to the Strong’s concordance 18 different Greek words are translated RECEIVE in the New Testament and they mean different things. In 1st Corinthians Paul uses 1 word translated RECEIVE 5 times because he meant the same thing each time, but in 2 Corinthians eight different words are translated RECEIVE.  He used them because he meant different things in each context. In Corinthians 6:1 we have the phrase RECEIVE not the GRACE of GOD in vain. Unless you know the meaning of this word translated RECEIVE in its setting you cannot understand what is being said.

Receive= acquire the knowledge of

Grace of GOD= GOD’s riches at CHRIST’s expense

In vain= to no purpose

This states that a person can acquire the knowledge of GOD sending HIS only begotten Son to earth to die for the sins of the world and then raised JESUS CHRIST from the grave to justify all who would believe in HIM and give them eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 10:9).  And although acquiring this knowledge it does him no good for it is not mixed with faith by the hearer.

“For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did (the Jews); but the message they heard was of no value to them because those who heard it did not combine it with faith.” (Hebrews 4:2).

A glaring example of this is seen in a man I know who when using Meth developed sores that would not heal. He would pick at them for he said there was something in them.  He believed that they are contagious. He went to jail and the sores healed and left scars from being torn open so often.  He got out of jail and as long as he was clean of Meth there were no sores.  But as soon as he returned to using Meth the sores returned.  Even when lovingly and gently asked to consider these facts, that he is fully aware of, the man rejects the obvious conclusion that Meth causes the sores.

Romans 1:18-20 states that although people are aware of truth they can suppress/ push the facts away and are then blind to the truth.  2 Thessalonians 2:10 say they perish because they do not embrace the love of the truth (which is JESUS CHRIST)

JESUS said, “I AM the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the FATHER except through ME (John 14:6).

I join with 2 Corinthians 6:1 in urging you not to let truth go in one ear and out the other. For if you do it has NO VALUE for you.  It does you no good.  Rather when you read or hear the Word of GOD, ask GOD to show you what you need to see and embrace it.  I do.

Hugs,

Sharon

What does born again mean?

Been thinking about my salvation.

Once we too were foolish and disobedient. We were misled (Titus 3:3) But then GOD our Savior showed us HIS kindness and love. HE saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of HIS mercy. HE washed away our sins (by the blood of JESUS dying on the cross for our sins) by the “washing of regeneration “and the “renewal by the HOLY SPIRIT” (Titus 3:4-5)

Washing- “with the washing of the water by the WORD” Ephesians 5:26
“faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD of GOD (literally CHRIST) Romans 10:17
.
Regeneration= rebirth= “you must be born again” John 3:7
Unless a man be born of water (the WORD of GOD) and by the SPIRIT he cannot enter the kingdom of GOD”John 3:5

So, the washing of regeneration is hearing the Word and believing it, then you are born again by the SPIRIT.

“In whom (CHRIST JESUS) you trusted after you heard the WORD of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom (CHRIST) you were also sealed with that HOLY SPIRIT of promise which is the earnest (down payment) or our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession (you and me) unto the praise of HIS (GOD’s) glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14

And
Renewal by the HOLY SPIRIT=”be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Romans 12:2)
How?
“…as the SPIRIT of the LORD works within us (Hebrews 10:16, Philippians 2:13) showing us more and more of JESUS we become more and more like HIM (JESUS) and reflect HIS glory even more (a step at a time)” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT)

What is our part? 1st believe the WORD of GOD. To do that you must read or hear it. When a person really believes something, he acts on it. It motivates him.

I believe that exercise lowers my pain (and it does), therefore I am motivated to exercise.

So, get in the WORD to get your instructions.

Hugs
Sharon

To know, know, know HIM

Hosea 6:6 TLB GOD says, “I don’t want your sacrifices- I want your love; I don’t want your offerings- I want you to know ME!

Hear GOD’s heart?  So, how do we get to love GOD and really know HIM?

A line from my 1st favorite song as a 7th grader was, “to know, know, know you is to love, love, love you and I do, I do I do.”

That is true in my relationship with GOD, to know HIM and HIS ways causes me to love HIM more and more.  As I read GOD’s word and I see GOD’s love and HIS wisdom as HE relates to others I know HIM better and love HIM more.

“JESUS said if you love ME you will do what I say” (John 14:15 NLV).

The fact is I have experienced GOD being there for me and so know that HE cares about me and what I go through..  After seeing GOD show HIS loves for me by working on my behalf countless times,,  I don’t hesitate to do what HE nudges me to do.  I delight in doing what HE desires for I know it is the best thing to do and is for my benefit.

How about you?  How do you get to know and love GOD?

Hugs

Sharon

I forgot

Have you even had one of those days when one thing after another goes wrong?  Today was like that for me.  I wrote a lesson for my class’s homework for next week and it disappeared (I praise the LORD I printed it out before I closed it, I was using my blender for the energize and it quit, and on and on things went wrong. 

I felt kinda frustrated until a friend asked me how I was.  As I began relating my woes, I realized I had clean forgotten to “thank the LORD for all things for this is the will of GOD concerning me” (I Thessalonians 5:18). 

So, through grit teeth, I said, “Thank YOU LORD” and crazy as it sounds my whole perspective changed.  A little obedience to GOD’s word works wonders! Note: GOD does not say we have to feel thankful, just give thanks believing GOD is in control.

Laugh if you will but try giving thanks for all things and see what happens.

Hugs

Sharon