It’s your choice

Did you ever consider that your attitude can be a weapon in the spiritual war we are in?

Forasmuch then as CHRIST hath suffered for us in the flesh, ARM yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 1 Peter 4:1.

Notice the context is suffering.  Not a pleasant matter for sure but GOD in HIS infinite wisdom has chosen troubles and suffering to achieve for us, (see 2 Corinthians 4:15-18, James 1:2-4 and Hebrews 2:10) and to teach us (see Hebrews 5:8).  As you found in the Hebrew texts that even JESUS was not exempt.

As I read 1 Peter 4:1 the word ARM jumped out at me… pick up a weapon.  What weapon are we supposed to ARM ourselves with?  The same mind/ attitude/ intention/ resolve/ determination of JESUS CHRIST.

What was that mindset that enabled JESUS to endure suffering and avoid sinning?

It is recorded three times in scripture/ twice in Hebrews that JESUS said, “Lo, I come to do THY will, O GOD” (Hebrews 10:7, 9).  JESUS was determined to do the will of GOD.

We are told to ARM ourselves with (pick up the weapon of) the mindset of JESUS that we will do GOD’s will regardless of what comes our way.  If we have chosen to do that we will be enabled to endure hard times and evening suffering.

 By seeing HIS creation we know GOD is wise, by knowing how GOD planned our salvation we know GOD loves us and wants the best for us, but how do we know what GOD’s will is for us?  When in doubt always check out GOD Word (Isaiah 8:20). 

Speaking about what will come into our lives we are told it is all “according to the purpose of HIM who worketh ALL things after the counsel of HIS own will” (Ephesians 1:11).  GOD ALMIGHTY even preset the exact times and places when things will happen and each one has a purpose. (Acts 17:26-27, Ezekiel 14:22-23). 

Yes, GOD sets the stage, but we are far from mere puppets for we have been given the gift/responsibility to CHOOSE how to act in each scenario we are placed in.

Since GOD allows us choose, how can GOD work all things after the counsel of HIS own will?  The simple truth lies in GOD’s  infinite (unlimited) knowledge. GOD has known ALL things from the beginning.  Psalm 139 gives us an example and tells us HE knows the words we will say before we have even collected our thoughts let alone opened our mouths to speak.

When we choose to do GOD’s will, we ask for direction and go with HIS leading (Philippians 2:13- nudges).  But isn’t that works?

Although we choose to RECEIVE the free gift of GOD’s salvation and the forgiveness of sins by believing that GOD sent HIS only begotten SON who died on the cross for our sin and was raised from the dead for our justification (John 3:15, Romans 4:25) there is no merit in taking the gift.

But when we choose to co-labor with the LORD by doing what HE shows us to do with the strength HE gives (Philippians 2:13) we are not doing it to live eternally with GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST- that was settled when we called upon the name of the LORD (Romans 10:9-10, 13) to receive the gift of salvation.  When we choose to do GOD’s will we do it to please our GOD and Savior who has done so much for us and we get peace and joy and hope during the darkest times.

Do you go with HIS nudges?  Hope so.

Hugs

Sharon

Walk in the SPIRIT

JESUS said, “He who believes in ME…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. (But this HE spoke of the SPIRIT, which they that believe on HIM should receive: for the HOLY GHOST was not yet given; because that JESUS was not yet glorified.)  JOHN 7:38-39

We have nothing to do with the outflow of the rivers of living water except to follow the inner leading we are given. For we are GOD’s workmanship created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works that GOD has prepared ahead for us to WALK in (not do)-Ephesians 2:10.  That is why is so important to pay attention to those nudges we get and in that way WALK in the SPIRIT (following those nudges GOD places within us Philippians 2:13).

For as we KEEP STEP with the SPIRIT (Galatians 5:25 NIV)- GOD works through us as the HOLY SPIRIT flows  living water through us to meet the needs of others.

A river reaches places which its source never knows. And JESUS said that, if we have received HIM, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching others in blessing regardless of how small the visible effect we see that we have.

Today a text came to affirm that a nudge I had to pray for a person I met once 25 years ago was from the HOLY SPIRIT.  It is such an encouragement and a joy to get confirmation and helps me walk in the blind (by faith) boldly following the HOLY SPIRIT’s still small voice

So be sure to follow those nudges and in that way keep in step with the SPIRIT.

Hugs

Sharon

Getting together

Just meeting with a friend or two to talk of GOD’s word, share concerns and pray brings GOD’s Presence in a very special way.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

It also brings GOD joy.

“Then they who feared the LORD spoke 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 thought on HIS name (character).  And they shall be MINE says the LORD of Hosts on the day I make up MY jewels and I will spare them as a man spares his own son that serves him (Malachi 3:16-17)

Do you get with others and talk about JESUS and GOD our FATHER and pray?

I do.

Hugs

Sharon

Illustrations help!

Does seeing how GOD dealt with situations in the Bible help you trust HIM today?

Some of the stories in the Bible, although actual historic accounts (that can be documented), seem pretty wild and take great faith to believe.  We are told the HOLY SPIRIT moved men to write those events down for our learning and our comfort (Romans 15:4). 

It’s like the account of King Nebuchadnezzar who seemed to be a fair and good pagan king.  He had learned about the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY from a young Jewish teen who interpreted accurately a dream for him.  Because of the power and wealth he possessed the king became very proud.  GOD sent Daniel to him to interpret another dream for the king which was a warning of what would happen because of his pride.  Although he listened to Daniel, within a year the king was in his palace and looked around and said, “is this not great Babylon that I have built by the might of my power and for the honor of my glory…” no sooner were the words out of his mouth than a voice came from heaven and that which he’d been warned concerning hit.

King Nebuchadnezzar’s mind was turned into the mind of an animal and for seven years he lived among the wild animals and ate grass.  But then one day he looked up into heaven and his understanding returned to  him and he blessed the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and praised and honored HIM who lives forever and rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever HE wills. And believe it or not the officials sought after him and placed him back as king and he became greater than before. (Read all about this amazing true account in Daniel 4).

GOD gave us this history lesson not to entertain us but to teach us about GOD’s baffling ways. For GOD’s ways are not our ways and HIS thoughts are not our thoughts.  But they work (Isaiah 55:8-11). 

When we read such things in scripture we are wowed but when we see GOD act in a similar way as HE deals with the sins of a loved one it can be so overwhelming.  Yet, as HE brings the applicable scriptures to mind, we must choose either to believe that GOD works all things after the counsel of HIS own will (Ephesians 1:11) or fear man and demons. I must look not at what is seen but at what GOD promises to achieve through the trouble of today (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) or believe it is all happenstance.

Last night I had to make that choice and all I can say is I praise the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY creator of heaven and earth who has given us HIS word and HIS word says that HE disciplines those HE loves and corrects those HE has ACCEPTED as a son (Hebrews 12:6). GOD’s discipline will produce righteousness in the one exercised by it (Hebrews 12:11).

GOD’s word brings me great comfort.  Does it encourage you?

Hugs

Sharon

Moon

With all the fires on the West coast there are mornings where I see a red sun rising in the east.  My friend Donna Aliff got a snapshot of a red sun rising the other morning. With our human eyes on these mornings the sun looks entirely red but her camera and mine detect the brilliant fiery bursts of yellow flames.

Because of the tilt of the earth this time of year we also can see huge brilliant orange harvest moons and they are beautiful.

Have you considered that the Moon has no light of its own- it merely reflects the light of the sun.  Yet its prominence in the sky and its regular cycle of phases have, since ancient times, made the Moon an important cultural influence on language, calendars, art and mythology.  In reality the Moon’s gravitational influence produces the ocean tides and the minute lengthening of the day.  So that although it has no light of its own it gives off reflected light in increasing measure and has a great influence.

You and I are like the Moon, we have no light of our own (though sometimes man, like the devil before him, we foolishly think we do.)  But although we do not generate light, we can reflect the light of our GOD and Savior (who is the Light of the world) by telling others of JESUS and letting HIM shine through us by our obedience to HIM.  As we stand in HIS light, we can have a great gravitational influence on things surrounding us.  So, lets look to the SON and reflect HIS glory…

Have you noticed that it will not hurt you to look directly at the moon no matter how brightly it shines; whereas to look directly at the sun will blind you?  Hmmm, I wonder could it be that perhaps that is one reason why GOD has chosen HIS children (those who believe in JESUS -John 1:12) to be HIS witnesses by their lives as well as their words.  For the scripture says that GOD’s brilliance is such that no human man shall see GOD and live (Exodus 33:20).

Hugs,

Sharon

Are you willing?

JESUS said, “If you are willing to do GOD’s will, then you will know if the doctrine is of GOD or not (John 7:17).  So, if you feel something is not right (a check in your spirit– given by the Holy SPIRIT) back away from it and take it to JESUS (2 Corinthians 10:5).

GOD promises that if we:  

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge (ask) HIM, and HE shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Do not blindly step out on what sounds good or accept what someone says.  Stop and ask GOD to show you what to do and check it out in the Bible.

We are told GOD is not the author of confusion but of peace and order (I Corinthians 14:33)  The devil wants to deceive and confuse us so he twists the words of GOD and adds to them just as he did in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1) to deceive us and make things seem hard where its really simple (2 Corinthians 11:3).

All we need to do is what GOD tells us.  Stop and ask GOD about everything.  GOD is the Creator and much stronger than the devil or the demons.  HE promises that if we ask and are willing to do what HE tells us (you have to be willing to do what HE says-James 1:5-7) we will know what to do and the  devil will NOT be able to trick us.

Remember GOD’s word: Ask and you shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).

Hugs

Sharon

Struggling?

Are you struggling?  Has anger or fear or any temptation for that matter grabbed ahold on you?

As I was doing my homework in Deuteronomy, I was struck with the simplicity of the plan GOD lays out to overcome anger and fear.  Though it is talking about going to war it applies to us for we are in war, a spiritual war with the principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12-demonic forces).

Deuteronomy 20:1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies … do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your GOD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt (the ONE who has helped you in the past), is with you 3… you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, 4 for the LORD your GOD is the ONE who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’

We are told that when fear or anger grabs us we are to ground ourselves by declaring truth (like JESUS did- Matthew 4:3-4) and by refocusing (turning away for zeroing in on the enemy) from the problem and crying out to our powerful GOD the Creator of Heaven and Earth (Hebrews 4:14-16).  For it is HE who is in us (John 14:17) and it is with that same incomparably great power that GOD used to raise JESUS from the dead that HE will fight for us (Ephesians 1:19-20).

1 John 4:4 You are of GOD, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is HE that is in you, than he that is in the world.

When I have a problem in some area I 1^st run to the throne of Grace (pray for help) and I search out a verse of truth. Often one just comes to mind. Like when fear comes I’ll use “we have not been given the spirit of Fear but of power and love and a controlled mind” (2 Timothy 1:7) or “greater is HE who is in me that he who is in the world (the devil-Ephesians 2:2-3).  Then I will speak aloud that word of GOD.  For the Word of GOD is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).

It grounds me and works for me so I encourage you to try it when fear or anger or any temptation comes and grabs you.

Hugs

Sharon

Don’t give up!

Let us not become weary in doing good for at the PROPER time we will reap (so) do not give up! Galatians 6:9

GOD’s timing never ceases to amaze me.  It does not matter if GOD is providing for needs or giving encouragement HE is never late, never tardy.  I love the concept and the actual word used in 2 Peter 3:8-9 that speaks of this truth. 

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the LORD a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The LORD is not SLOW in keeping HIS promise, as some understand slowness. Instead HE is patient with YOU not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV).

That word translated as SLOW means TARDY.  Remember being in school and the tardy bell rang and you were late for class?  These verses say GOD is never late.

The pronoun YOU is important here for the 1^st part of this chapter deals with THEM (3^rd person) who are willingly (on purpose) ignorant and states that GOD has preset a time for their destruction. Then the scene changes in the 2^nd part of the chapter and those who do or will believe in JESUS are spoken to as YOU (2^nd person).  This verse speaks LOUDLY that GOD is patiently waiting until the last one who is willing to come to JESUS calls upon the name of the LORD and is saved before HE comes.

But back to my wonder at our GOD of all comfort’s patient love and kindness is HIS timing with us HIS children. 

I have heard of missionaries that have gone years upon years without visible signs of making a difference and my pastor spoke of this in his message on persevering. 

But it became very personal this morning the accuser pointed his finger at me denouncing me concerning not making a difference in the lives of others.  But GOD in HIS perfect timing- just when I needed the encouragement the most- GOD countered the enemy’s words with HIS WORD.  You see I was writing questions for the study in Galatians when I came to Galatians 6:9.

“Let us not become weary in doing good for at the PROPER time we will reap (so) do not give up!” (Galatians 6:9).

Then as Romans 10:17 states, “Faith came by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD”.

Hugs

Sharon

Opens our eyes

  Isn’t it frustrating when someone doesn’t understand what you mean? 

Have you ever been baffled when trying to explain something to someone that seems so very clear to you but the other person doesn’t have a clue what you mean?

I think that it is a given that we all have experienced. But why?

“But their eyes were held that they should not know HIM” Luke 24:16

That word held in the Greek text speaks of a superior power hindering them from recognizing JESUS and reveals to us that GOD- (the giver of all good things), when HE chooses, can refuse to give us the ability to see things as they really are. In other words HE can block our vision if there is a purpose in it for GOD does nothing without a just and good reason (see Ezekiel 14:23).

Deuteronomy 29:4 “Yet the LORD has not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to see and ears to hear, unto this day.”

Deuteronomy 29:29 “The secret (or hidden) things belong to our GOD; but the things that are revealed (made clear to us) belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all ( GOD has for us to do)…”

“…their eyes were opened and they knew HIM. (JESUS)” Luke 24:31

“Then JESUS opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:” 1 Corinthians 2:10.

We can only understand the truths of GOD as the HOLY SPIRIT interprets them for us.

Our ability to see, to hear, to understand things as they really are is a gift from GOD. Therefore, like Paul, we need to ask for GOD to open the eyes of our understanding (Ephesians 1:18)

I often do it with the song: Open the Eyes of My Heart LORD

Open The Eyes Of My Heart LORD Open The Eyes Of My Heart I Want To See You I Want To See You Open The Eyes Of My Heart LORD Open The Eyes Of My Heart I Want To See You I Want To See You To See You High And Lifted Up Shining In The Light Of Your Glory Pour Out Your Power And Love As We Sing Holy, Holy, Holy Open the eyes of my heart LORD Holy, Holy, Holy Holy, Holy, Holy Holy, Holy, Holy I want to see you  

So if others are baffled by what seems so clear to us we need to pray that their eyes be opened too.

Hugs

Sharon  

Michael W. Smith – Open the eyes of my heart youtube.com

Being changed

It is said that you can tell how a guy will treat his wife by watching how he treats his mother or sister.

In the same way we can see how GOD will treat us by how HE treats others. 

The Bible shows us over and over how HE relates to others both in the Old Testament and even more clearly after sending us JESUS who is the exact representation of the GOD the FATHER  (Hebrews 1:2-3).  As we see JESUS speak or act, we see GOD at work (John 12:49-50).

So watching JESUS handle the situation with the crowd and the gal when the woman was caught in adultery (John 8:3-11) or JESUS’ confrontations with Peter both before (Matthew 16:22-23, Luke 22:33-34)  and after he had denied JESUS 3 times (John 21:14-19) shows facets of what GOD is like.

In each interaction of GOD with others (whether it be GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON or GOD the HOLY SPIRIT) brings awareness and growth in our knowledge of GOD’s nature and HIS ways.  It is fun to keep a journal and jotting down when I see something about HIM I’d never seen before.  Then reviewing the journal often sets me to singing HIS praises and becomes an amazing and joyous celebration of the wonder of the KING.

Plus, it is declared that an amazing benefit of learning more and more about GOD our FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST changes us into HIS very likeness (the divine nature) (2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Peter 1:1-4).  That just blows me away!

Hugs

Sharon