My 1st thoughts

I woke up thinking about what JESUS said and that even though I don’t understand the why behind it, I knew I should do what JESUS asks me to do.

JESUS said, “Why call Me LORD, LORD and do not do the things that I say? (Luke 6:46).

Since GOD does nothing without a reason (Ezekiel 14:23) and Jesus teaches us to pray to GOD our Heavenly FATHER that HIS kingdom come HIS will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10) then there must be a reason to audibly pray that way.

Therefore if there is a purpose (need) to pray for GOD’s will to be done on earth (Matthew 6:9-10) and to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4) shouldn’t we just do it?

Hmmm. Well as for me, I’ll just do it!

Hugs

Sharon

Opportunities

Testify

Before JESUS ascended into heaven, he told the disciples that they were to be witnesses for HIM and would have the power to do it.  That was their and our main job until HE comes back for us (Acts 1:8).

When there are struggles and problems coming at us like flaming arrows, “It will result in (lead to) an opportunity to witness” (Luke 21:13). “For I will give you words and wisdom…” (Luke 21:15).

Just yesterday, I had an email conversation with a gal I have never met.  She is struggling with fears.  Since, I have been there and done that, through many troubles, and have experienced the deliverance of GOD each time, I was equipped to witness to, comfort, and instruct her with the very comfort and instruction I had received from the LORD HIMSELF (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Problems result in having something to share, and Luke 21:13, 15 promises you will have that audience (opportunity) to witness and be given to what to say.

The words will issue forth, like a baby thrust forth out of the womb.  The struggles, the problems, and even the temptations, will give birth to a testimony.  Now, just think of new born who makes a lot of noise at first!  Did you ever think, she is just giving her testimony concerning what just happened?

The next time you have a problem, remember this is GOD setting the stage for you to pass a message from HIM to others.  Praise the LORD in all things, we are more than conquerors through HIM who loved us and gave HIMSELF for us!

Looking unto JESUS, the author and perfecter of my faith.

Hugs

Sharon

Storms

more and more snow

We heard we would have snow flurries but the snow storm hit us by surprise.  As you can see the car and tree in the back yard really got it.

When Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, LORD!” he shouted.  And immediately JESUS stretched forth HIS hand, and caught him… (Matthew 14:30-31).

***Notice it was when Peter took his eyes off the storm and cried out to JESUS that the LORD lifted him up.

Many of us face hard problems and like a storm they hit us unaware.  But if we will cry out unto JESUS HE will lead the way ahead.  The storm will still be there but so will JESUS.

Hugs

Sharon

Why doesn’t HE answer?

I have asked why doesn’t GOD show me the way? 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path.  Be not wise in your own eye, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7

We hear the Word of the LORD and believe that GOD in HIS great love sent JESUS to die for our sins and we believe (Romans 10:17, John 3:16).  Then we call upon the name of the LORD JESUS and are saved (Romans 10:13).  But then life happens and we don’t have the answers.

We are in danger of getting into a bargaining spirit with GOD when we come to HIM with our struggles (that everyone has)— we want GOD to give HIS approval before we have done what GOD tells (nudges) us to do.  And we always know one thing we should do.

Why doesn’t GOD reveal HIMSELF? HE cannot. Because you are in the way as long as you won’t abandon yourself to HIM in total surrender trusting that HE knows best.  Yet once you surrender (I will go where you want me to go dear LORD, I will do what you want me to do), immediately GOD speaks or moves you to act (Philippians 2:13).  

For when you act on the basis of trust and stop the disrespectfulness of debating with GOD your ears are open to hear, HE immediately gives HIS confirmation by a knowing what you should do. As soon as you abandon your own reasoning and arguing, GOD speaks.

If you are debating as to whether or not GOD can deliver you or someone you love from sin you are of a double mind and don’t think GOD will give you anything for you are unstable in all your ways (James 1:6-8).

Simply obey Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden….” 

Hebrews 11:6 “and without faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who comes to HIM must believe (1) that HE is and (2) that HE rewards those who diligently seek HIM.”

“Ask and it shall be given you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you” Luke 11:9.

I know from experience that it really works.

Hugs

Sharon

Is it easy for you?

I’ve been thinking about what JESUS said that all we must do to do all that GOD wants is to love GOD with all our heart and mind and strength and to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). JESUS also explained that we show our love to HIM by doing what HE wants/says (John 14:15)).

Some excuse their actions by saying they don’t love themselves but that is not true- when they get hungry they eat, when they cut themselves they want a bandaid, when they don’t understand they try to find answers and when it is cold they try to get warm (picture me sitting by my heater or bundled up to go out in the cold -haha-

It sounds so simple but do we really love others like we love ourselves? Do we care when they hurt, are hungry or just don’t understand? Hmmm. I know I sometimes must ask the HOLY SPIRIT to pour GOD’s love into my heart for one I am irritated with (Romans 5:5) or to remind me to pray for the persecuted.

How about you?  Is it easy to care when someone is struggling?

Hugs

Sharon

Which way?

It is election time in the USA and what we hear and see is so sad ☹and so useless. There is fighting and name calling and so, so many fears.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near.  Do not be anxious (worried and fearful) about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving (Knowing GOD is in control), present your requests to GOD.  And the peace of GOD, which transcends all (throws you beyond having to) understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS (Philippians 4:5-7).

Don’t you know? Daniel 4:25 …  know that the most High rules over the kingdoms of men, and gives (rulership over them) to whomsoever HE will.

But in GOD’s eternal plan HE has given us a part.  It is NOT to worry or argue and name call but to pray.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of GOD our Saviour; Who would that all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Let’s not follow the ways of the world who are under the direction of the Prince of the power of the air (Satan) (Ephesians 2:2) but look unto our Mighty GOD and HIS great wisdom and power that can do exceedingly abundantly above all we think or can even imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Hugs

Sharon

What is the difference?

“…there is none good but one, that is, GOD” (Matthew 19:17).

If GOD is good why is there a time of judgment?   GOD is good and because HE is good HE cannot tolerate evil for evil destroys.  GOD does and finally will bring judgment down on all wrong/ sin. 

Where does that leave us for all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23).

in GOD’s goodness HE made a way for sinful people, like you and me.  “if we will believe HE sent JESUS and JESUS died for the punishment of sin we will obtain eternal life (John 3:16).  If we call upon the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST we will be saved (Romans 10:13) from the wrath to come.

When we turn to JESUS and are saved we are given the HOLY SPIRIT to lead us and teach us and empower us to do what GOD wants done.  HE often uses the Bible to show us what GOD wants for no scripture came by the will of man but as the HOLY SPIRIT moved on their hearts they wrote what GOD placed in their hearts.

Through JESUS life on earth and then when JESUS was nailed to the cross bearing sin HE fulfilled the LAW.  

“Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:17-18).

Having fulfilled the Law, with HIS blood JESUS established a new covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25) for those who believe in HIM and call on the name of the LORD to be saved (Romans 10:9-10, 13).  In this new covenant the HOLY SPIRIT moves in believers to show us what GOD wants and to empower us to do it and our slips into sin are forgiven for JESUS paid for them (Hebrews 10:16-17).

The Law and the Prophets told what GOD wanted. Matthew 7:12 and Matthew 22:27-40 both tell us the Law and Prophets say to love GOD and others with all our hearts, and mind and strength.  This is the same thing that GOD wants today.

So, what is the difference between the old and new covenants? 

Under the Law man had to keep GOD’s ways perfectly on his own but because of his sin nature (selfishness) he could not do it. 

In the New Covenant we have better promises.  JESUS has paid for all sin and when we believe in JESUS we are given GOD the HOLY SPIRIT and are born into GOD’s family (John1:12).  Then as new born babies the HOLY SPIRIT is teaching us walk like GOD (just as toddlers are taught and encouraged to walk).  HE flows through us (John 7:38-39) and pours GOD’s love into our hearts (Romans 5:5)and as we claim the great and precious promises found in HIS word we begin to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4).

In the New Covenant the HOLY SPIRIT lives in us to explain what GOD wants (1 Corinthians 2:10) and remind us what GOD wants (John 14:26, 16:13) and to enable/ empower us to do what GOD wants (Acts 1:8). 

The HOLY SPIRIT also prays for us because we do not know what we really need for we don’t always know specifically what GOD is doing through us (Romans 8:26-27) and JESUS also continues to work on our behalf to save us to the uttermost by interceeding for us (Hebrews 7:25) and HE understands our needs like none other for HE suffered in all ways just like us and JESUS stands ready to give us mercy and grace to help when we ask (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Our part in all this is to believe GOD’s word.  So, we must get in the Bible to see what HE says and listen to that still small voice when we know we should do something.

I believe AW Tozer had it right when he said:

“Satan’s greatest weapon (against us) is our ignorance of GOD’s Word.” AW Tozer

Hugs

Sharon

GOD is working

Sometimes the fiery darts of the enemy come swift and fast but our marvelous Creator the Great ALMIGHTY GOD who made heaven and earth with all its color and variety is still in control HE has promised, and HE cannot lie, that HE will work ALL things (the good, the bad and the ugly) together for an end result of good to those who love HIM (Romans 8:28).

hugs

Sharon L Manning

You have to get in the water

When I was a young girl I would watch my dad put on long rubber boots and then step into a mountain stream to do some fly fishing.  Dad felt he needed to be in the water to know in what direction to cast his line. 

In the same manner, before we have the benefits JESUS came to give us we must get IN CHRIST.

Greek prepositions declare the POSITION of one object to another.  It can be over or under or around or toward and even through but when it says IN it speaks of being INSIDE of another object or person.

I circle in my Bible whenever I read IN CHRIST or IN HIM when it refers to JESUS CHRIST because wonderful things are mine because I am IN JESUS CHRIST.

HE (GOD the FATHER) made HIM (JESUS) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of GOD in HIM (JESUS) (2 Corinthians 5:21).

For as in Adam all die, (all humanity are born in Adam and must die) so IN CHRIST all will be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22) (all those IN CHRIST and only those IN CHRIST will be made alive). 

By believing IN JESUS GOD’s only Begotten SON we gain eternal life and will never perish (John 3:16).

For eternal life is to know GOD the FATHER, the only true GOD and JESUS CHRIST, who HE (GOD the FATHER) sent (John 17:3).

We are given the HOLY SPIRIT (John 7:38-39) and sealed with the HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 1:13-14) and baptized INTO CHRIST by the HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 12:13, 27) when we believe in JESUS dying for our sins and being raised from the dead.

The love of GOD is found IN CHRIST JESUS our LORD (Romans 8:39) and once we are IN CHRIST JESUS nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of GOD. 

Are you IN CHRIST JESUS?   

hugs

Sharon

Will begging change GOD’s mind?

I really believe that what I say I believe is really true because when I look up into the sky on a starry night and seeing the beauty of the twinkling hosts and remember a little that I learned about the millions of light years away they are.  I stand in awe knowing that what I see was made at GOD’s command so that what I see was not made out of something that already was.  GOD flung them all out in space simply by speaking a word.  . 

I remember how GOD tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9 that HIS ways and HIS thoughts are as high above mine and yours as the heavens are about the earth.  But HE has given everyone of us (who believe in JESUS and have called on HIS name to be saved) the HOLY SPIRIT so we can begin and grow to know GOD better and better (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, 2 Peter 1:1-4).

Today our Bible study spoke of Balaam and his talking donkey and the huge angel with the drawn sword and how this pagan prophet/ sorcerer came to know Numbers 23:19

“GOD is not man that HE should lie, nor the son of man that HE should repent.  Has HE said it and shall HE not do it.”

He learned it by trying to change what GOD was going to do by putting a spell on GOD’s people the Jews.  But GOD would have none of it for GOD is faithful to HIS people and does what HE promises.

The reason I mention this is because I shared how I used Numbers 23:19 when it SEEMED GOD had lied to me. For when you have to wait a long time for the promise or the opposite happens from what GOD said it SEEMS like GOD has lied to you.  The truth is GOD’s ways and timing are not ours but that HE will fulfill every promise HE ever made.  If you and I just go to GOD with the lie the enemy has spoken GOD will reassure our hearts.

So when the devil, that old accuser whispered “GOD has lied to you”, I spoke out loud Numbers 23:19, just like JESUS answered the old accuser’s lies out loud with Bible verses (Matthew 4:1-10).  Just hearing the words also assured my heart GOD was at work and I just didn’t see it yet.

As I was relating this to the group one of the gals went ballistic.  It blew her mind that anyone could think that GOD had lied to him.  I don’t think she understands yet that the devil doesn’t tempt everyone the same but tempts each of us in areas of weakness for he knows each of us well.

Isn’t it good to know that GOD keeps HIS WORD?  Remember, faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

Hugs,

Sharon