I am with you

The longer I live the more aware I am, and the more I treasure the characteristic of GOD called longsuffering. Many prefer the word patient, but to me the word longsuffering gives a clearer description of GOD putting up with me as I learn and grow and HIS waiting until I’ve grown to where I need to be (Isaiah 30:18). I yearn to show HIS longsuffering to others.

Opening my Bible, the 1^st words that caught my attention this morning were, “the LORD his GOD was with him.”  Instantly I knew I was being nudged to put aside my reading until I’d shared with you.  As Pastor Dave preached on Psalm 73 a phrase from verse 23, “I am continually with YOU” flooded me with memories and awakened my understanding that I needed to share this with you.

There was a very worldly person who over and over did much that hurt me deeply.  But forgiveness and prayer came easy for this one did not know the LORD.  But 41 years ago through a dark time in his life he reached out to JESUS and was saved. I was so happy!

I expected his ways to change in relation to me and for him to at least say I am sorry.  But it didn’t happen and I became angry and complained to the LORD about it.  GOD said, “reread what you were reading.”

I had been in Luke 15 but being angry and unforgiving the story I’d heard and read countless times didn’t speak to me.  But I went back in obedience to the HOLY SPIRIT’s leading.  The story is often called the Prodigal Son.

It tells of a man having 2 sons and the younger asked for his inheritance and when his father gave it, the young man took off to a far country and lived recklessly and sinfully until all his money was gone and a terrible famine hit and he was forced to go feed pigs for a man yet he was constantly hungry. One day he came to his senses and realized that his dad’s servants always had more than enough and determined to go back to his dad and ask to be his servant. The younger son humbly went back and when his father saw him from afar off and ran to meet his son.  Rejoicing to have his son back, he hugged and kissed his son.  The younger son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no longer worthy to be called your son.”  But the dad told a servant to clothe his boy with the best robe, put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet and prepare a party for him. “For this my son was dead (in sin and trespasses) and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” So they began to be merry.

What an awesome picture of GOD our FATHER’s heart to a repentant sinner coming to GOD through believing in JESUS (Hebrews 7:25).

The older brother came in from working in the fields and heard the music and dancing. So he asked a servant what was going on.  Being told, he refused to go in.  His father came out and encouraged the older brother to come in.  But angrily his son declared, “Your son took your money and went and blew it on riotous, sinful living and now he comes back and you give him a party?  I have been faithful to work for you day in and day out and yet you never even gave me a calf to have a party with my friends!  The father said, “It is right that we should be merry for your brother was dead and is alive again and was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:32).

Wow, its an amazing picture of GOD our FATHER’s heart for one who comes to HIM by seeing his sin and need of Savior and believing and calling on the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST to save him (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

But that is not what I need to share.  What hit me that day the LORD told me to reread Luke 15 is the next to the last verse when the father said, “Son, you are always with ME, and all that I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31).

Then I understood what the LORD was telling me.  I was the older brother.  While GOD had always walked with me, comforting, encouraging, leading and providing for me each step of the way, even though I was far from perfect.  But the one who had often hurt me had struggled, always seeking some fulfillment but never really finding it had been without GOD to help.  Now he had GOD on his side, but he was still just a baby in the things of GOD and needed time to grow which meant when he learned to walk there would be falls.

To you who know JESUS remember HE says, “I have always been with you…” (Luke 15:31) and HE promises, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Give thanks

“Giving thanks always for all things unto GOD and the Father in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST” (Ephesians 5:20)

When our nation began we looked to GOD for help and provision and gave HIM thanks for all HE has done and provided for us for the LORD GOD is HE who enabled us and won our battles.

Our leaders led the way in recognizing GOD’s provision. But that was history and this is now. Sadly a large part of our nation and its leadership has turned from GOD and HIS values and sin is rampant.

Since we know it is from GOD that all blessings flow, let’s give thanks GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the FATHER of Lights (the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY) with whom is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17)

Below are links of 3 great presidents of the USA. They show hearts of thanksgiving and desire to lead our nation into prayers of thanksgiving.

President George Washington 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/…/proclamation-day…

President Abraham Lincoln 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/…/proclamation-106…

President Ronald Reagan 1986 Thanksgiving Proclamation

https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/…/proclamation-5551…

hugs

Sharon L Manning

In us and through us

As never before our world seems filled with the darkness of seemingly impossible problems, fears and pain. Yet, you and I as believers in the LORD JESUS CHRIST are called to be the light of the world (Philippians 2:15).

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.  For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live sincere and blameless lives until the day of CHRIST’s return” (Philippians 1:9-10). 

The Greek word translated “sincere” here means pure or unmixed while the English word “sincere” comes from a Latin word which means “without wax.” In ancient times, fine, expensive porcelain pottery often developed tiny cracks when it was fired in the kiln. Dishonest merchants would smear pearly white wax over the cracks until they disappeared, they would then claim the pottery was unblemished. But when the pottery was held up to the sun, the light would reveal the cracks filled in with wax. So honest merchants marked their porcelain with the words “sine cera” —without wax.

So how can I live a sincere and blameless life?  I must have no hidden cracks, no ulterior motives, no hidden agendas, no twisting of the truth for my advantage.  Seems impossible but when I am yielded to GOD I can be upfront and open as I allow the HOLY SPIRIT fill me (Ephesians 5:18), lead me and use me.

^“For GOD, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shines in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST.But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of GOD, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).

I am but an earthen vessel, just a little pot of clay

without contents I am worthless, unused, inane I lay

Til the tender Master Potter fills HIS vessel from above

with the living flowing water of HIS great eternal love

No longer am I worthless, nor unused, inane do lie

Now there is water for the thirsty.  Their needs HE does supply.

Are you yielding to GOD’s nudges so HE can flow HIS love through you to those around you? (John 7:38-39). They need it!

hugs

Sharon

Cross over

Back in the day I worked on a secure Air Force base as a contractor under the Missile Air Defense. To gain access to base, I had to have a special badge. Before I could get that, there had to be security checks made on me. Once I had my badge, I could go through secure portals to the secure area freely by just swiping my badge. But without that badge, I could not enter in.

“For unto us a child is born (Mary’s 1st child, JESUS, formed from her DNA was fully human) unto us a SON is given” (GOD gave us HIS eternal SON who is fully GOD, who made the all things and was a willing and joyful participant)… (Isaiah 9:6). This is a great mystery. I cannot fully comprehend but let us talk about why it happened.

In Matthew 1:21 The angel told Joseph (who was to be JESUS stepfather) “you shall call HIS name JESUS for HE will save HIS people from their sins.”

Sin is a big issue for two reasons.

1-Sin is what separates us from GOD, (Isaiah 59:2) “But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD, and your sins have hidden HIS face from you, that HE will not hear.

2-The consequence of sin is eternal, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)/

When JESUS CHRIST died on the cross all the sins of the world (past, present, and future) were placed on HIM and JESUS suffered the punishment for every one of them. But only those who call on the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13) and receive JESUS by believing on HIS finished work for them gain access to that forgiveness and eternal life. Just as my receiving a certain badge gave me access to Schriever AFB, so by receiving JESUS as my Savior gives me access to GOD and eternal live (John 3:16).

JESUS said clearly: “if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). JESUS also said: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears MY word and believes HIM who sent ME (GOD the FATHER), has eternal life, and will not be condemned: he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

Have you accessed the cleansing power of forgiveness by believing JESUS died for you?  Have you called on the name of the LORD to save you? If you have, you have crossed over from spiritual death to eternal life from condemnation to full acceptance by GOD the FATHER (plus so much more, but that must wait for other teachings).

Hugs
Sharon 

Turn around!

The visual is the hand sign for turn around… it is used in construction to tell a crane operator to do something with his load.

It’s also part of the sign language for the deaf. For the severely hearing impaired and the deaf, learning and using hand signs opens up a whole world of knowledge and communication before closed to them. When you hold up your index finger and circle it counter clock it means … turn around.

From the 1st time man turned away from GOD to do his own thing, GOD has been saying turn back around to ME.  The LORD loves people and desires the very best for each of us.  HE knows all things and one thing HE knows is that sin destroys that is why GOD cannot stand it.

Three times in we can see clearly that GOD takes no delight in punishing people. But, since sin destroys the LORD must put a stop to it. “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” Ezekiel 18:23.  “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” Ezekiel 18:32.  ^“Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die?” Ezekiel 33:11. 

Verses in Zechariah caught my attention.  “Turn from your evil ways, turn back to ME, says the LORD of hosts, and I will turn to you. But they would not listen and they would not hear” Zechariah 1:3.  Then GOD said, “But MY words… took a hold of them and they returned (turned around)…” Zechariah 1:6.

The Word of GOD can grab us/ take a hold of us… show us the truth and turn us around. That picture is so clear and a very good reason to pick up a Bible and start reading.

“… the sword of the SPIRIT which is the Word of GOD…” Ephesians 6: 17 is another picture GOD gives us concerning HIS word: GOD’s word is a weapon and part of the armor GOD gives us for our spiritual battle against the evil one. GOD’s word cuts through the lies of the devil so we can see the truth and turn away from wrong.

Have you read your Bible today?  As one once said, “Either sin will keep you from the Bible or the Bible will keep you from sin.” I do not know the author.
hugs
Sharon

Put away

When I get to doing research or writing a lesson, I look very much like this puppy. And when I am into my researching it is very, very hard to get my attention or for me to lay aside the books and get up to take care of something needing to be done. I get lost (so into my study) that I can think of nothing else.

As I read a verse calling us to lay aside some stuff, it reminded me about how JESUS the eternal Word and the 2^nd person of the GODHEAD laid aside HIS high position, HIS wealth, HIS rights and privileges to humble HIMSELF and become a human baby so that HE could start as we did, and be tempted in all ways just as we are but without sin for the purpose that JESUS could die in our stead (Philippians 2:5-11).

Knowing how hard it can be to lay aside my books, I wondered if it was hard for JESUS to lay aside all the rights and privileges and standing that is HIS.

JESUS now resurrected and sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on High fully understands our troubles and struggles. Because HE suffered JESUS is able to help us in whatever we face and to intercede for us and save us to the uttermost. (Hebrews 4:14-16 Hebrews 7:25).

JESUS had to lay aside stuff to be able to help us.

Now HE asks us to lay aside some things so that HIS work might be completed in and through us.

1 Peter 2:1,2 KJ Therefore, laying aside (Greek- putting away) all malice and all deception (lies) and hypocrisy (pretense) and envies, and all evil speaking (detractions- talking against), and as newborn babies desire (long for) the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby (into the likeness of JESUS Romans 8:28-29).

Did you notice that as JESUS became a baby to prepare to save us, so HE asks us to be like a baby who desires his bottle of milk that helps him grow? HE urges us- you and me- to start drinking the Word of GOD just as a hungry baby slurps up his bottle. In that way we will grow up in our likeness of JESUS.

But before we can get nourishment from the Word, we must lay aside some things. Until we lay them aside, we are not able to get what we need from the Bible. Let’s think about what JESUS has asked us to lay aside. All malice (wanting to hurt another) all deception (lies-even little white ones) all hypocrisy (pretense of any kind) envies (wanting what another has) all evil speaking (detractions- gossip, talking against another); hmmmm

Just as I must turn from my books and study to answer the phone, so we must put aside anything that keeps us from hearing GOD.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD…” Isaiah 59:2. That is because when we do what we know we should not do we have turned away from GOD the light of the world and turned to the darkness and we cannot hear HIS voice clearly anymore.

Just thinking of that urges me to stop and think before acting.

Hugs

Sharon

I believe

“But without faith it is impossible to please HIM: for he that comes to GOD must BELIEVE that HE is, and (BELIEVE) that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM” (Hebrews 11:6).

For years when I prayed I could BELIEVE for others but it was harder to BELIEVE GOD would bless me.  Then one day as I read Hebrews 11:6 I understood why.  GOD only hears those who BELIEVE HE will answer.

A friend at church shared some struggles her family were having so as we went to prayer I declared:  “I BELIEVE YOU care, and I BELIEVE YOU know what YOU are doing! And know YOU are working on their behalf because YOUR word in 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 says so and I’ve seen YOU do over and over. So, I come asking for a special healing touch on each of them and please comfort them and give them peace and assurance that YOU are with them and are working for them behind the scenes.” 

Then a few lines of an old chorus came to mind plus the 2 other verses I’d added years ago so quietly sang them.

Singing and prayer to the LORD always lifts me up and when we were done, I saw it lifted my friend as well for my friend’s eyes sparkled and her face glowed.

But to as many as receive HIM (JESUS) to them gave HE the power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that BELIEVE on HIS name.  John 1:12

Here is the song with added verses 

I believe in JESUS, I believe HE is the Son of GOD, I believe HE died and rose again, that HE paid it for us all.  And I believe that HE is here now, standing in our midst, here with the power to heal now and the grace to forgive.

I believe in GOD our FATHER, I believe in HIS great love, I believe HIS endless wisdom designed the perfect plan above. And I believe that HE is working, now behind the scenes and what HE has once spoken will really come to be.

I believe in GOD the SPIRIT, I believe HE lives in me, I believe HE came to seal me when in JESUS I believed. I believe HE is my teacher, I believe HE knows the way for I know HIS gentle prodding and HIS comfort through the day.

hugs

Sharon

HE did it again!

Once again God proved His love to me by preparing the way ahead Ephesians 2:10

Another new crisis in ‘The Scenarios of Sharon’ has me up during the night in tearful prayer. The Lord has been reminding me in this latest struggle to practicing what I preach: “Give thanks in all things for this is the will of GOD in Christ JESUS concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18). As I give, not feel, thanks peace returns.

Responsibilities and commitments have me running during the day. Today is one that is to be crammed full, so this morning in a rush I only had a few quick moments in GOD’s Word to hear HIS instructions before heading out.

Turning to Psalms, my Bible opened in Proverbs and my eyes lit on a verse. “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrong (Proverbs 19:11 NLT). Then I noticed a verse across the page. “Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor only fools insist on quarreling” (Proverbs 20:3 NLT).

Not long into the day one attempted to goad me into an argument and it seemed so funny and I had to hold back the laughter lest I add fuel to the anger of the one already stirred up.

God had prepared me in advance for this temptation and by doing so I was not pulled in.

The LORD’s acting on HIS foreknowledge of what I would encounter not only kept me out of a foolish argument but encouraged me greatly that HE is with me leading all the way plus it strengthened my faith.

Several hours later, with other particulars GOD provided what would be needed later. I didn’t know it would be needed, but it was. All was done before the fact as HE emphasized to me HE plans and acts according to HIS awesome foreknowledge.

Don’t know what lies ahead but am sure something is coming and HE is preparing me for it and promises to provide

For by confirming HE acts according to HIS foreknowledge- highlights it as one of HIS marvelous ways. Because that is true, we can know what HE says HE will do! GOD will keep HIS promises cause nothing unexpected can come up to block it. HE knows everything that lies ahead.

What a wise and mighty GOD we serve!

Looking unto JESUS the Author and Perfecter of my faith

Hugs

Sharon

Washing up

Since I got my Cochlear implant, my brain is being taught to distinguish words in an entirely different way. I was told I needed to daily practice by listening to different speakers and it was suggested that I listen to audio books. But since I can now stream videos on my phone, I chose to do something I have never had an ability to do. I decided to listen to video preaching by men known to be sound in Bible doctrine. Praise the LORD my discernment of what sounds mean is growing!

Now I regularly listen to different Bible teachers when I do dishes the old fashion way, do laundry, fold clothes, soak in the tub, all those little things one must do but where you don’t have to concentrate. I even do exercises while I listen.

Well, one teacher I listen to frequently and usually agree with whatever he says. He is speaks simply, clearly, and I have found his teaching to be quite sound in doctrine in that it agrees with Scripture. But when he said, “It was what people decided and not GOD’s personal choice (putting whom GOD chose in positions (Daniel 4:17) that determined who would win the elections a red flag went up.

“The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the MOST HIGH is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone HE wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people (Daniel 4:17 NIV).

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which GOD has established. The authorities that exist have been established by GOD (Romans 13:1 NIV).

This preacher was urging people to vote. Which is good and I believe is our Christian duty. We do need to vote for those who stand for GOD’s values. But when he said man will determine who would take office, he inferred GOD is not really sovereign, nor does HE bring to pass HIS eternal purposes for individuals (Ephesians 2:10) or for nations on HIS precise preset time schedule of appointed times (Habakkuk 2:3).

I don’t understand the way our votes matter and yet GOD predetermined the outcome, nor can I explain how JESUS was delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of GOD yet the Jews took HIM by wicked hands and slayed JESUS (Acts 2:23). GOD let man do what their wicked hearts determined to do and yet that accomplished what GOD determined. And as you see GOD’s perfect foreknowledge played a big part in it. The one who needs to be in office to do what GOD wants done, will be in office, just as JESUS needed to die to save us and GOD used the hands of others to do it.

GOD’s ways and thoughts are not mine they are as far as the heavens are above the earth higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9), therefore my lack of understanding doesn’t negate what GOD says is true. “What man says and it comes to be if the LORD has commanded it not?” (Lamentations 3:37).

“Do not quench the SPIRIT. Do not treat prophecies (speaking forth the Word of GOD) with contempt but test them all;(what is said) hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NIV). That tells me I am to test what that man said.

“Let no man deceive you by any means…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) How can I avoid being deceived?

“To the law and to the testimony (scripture): if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20). Reject whatever does not agree with GOD’s word.

GOD works (places within) us both to want what HE wants and to be enabled to do it (Philippians 2:13). HE urges us to pray in a certain way so we can co-labor with HIM and HE can reward us. For HE delights to give rewards to HIS children. But we are not puppets, we can reject what HE tells us and refuse to do it but since HE knows all things past, present and future our reactions were all figured in when HE scheduled the days of our lives before we began to breathe (Psalm 139:16).

I cannot take the credit for catching the error, in fact I did not really want to see it. The HOLY SPIRIT made me uneasy by putting a check in my spirit when I heard the speakers words. “GOD won’t override man’s choice.”

Then HE reminded me (John 14:26) of verses which declared our sovereign LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’s eternal purposes, power and preset timing. Since GOD’s thoughts and ways are not my thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) I am dependent on the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT and that is why GOD poured our HIS SPIRIT on believers in JESUS and the Bible tells me to walk in the SPIRIT (Galatians 5:16) and be led by HIM (Galatians 5:18).

“That HE (JESUS) might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church-believers in JESUS) with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). See how the word of GOD was used by the HOLY SPIRIT to expose error and wash it from my mind with water of the word?

The washing of the water of the word, cleanses us so that we will not be conformed to this world but be transformed (metamorphosis — you know from a caterpillar to a butterfly) by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2)

So jump in and read your Bible, the water is great!

Hugs
Sharon

I really do believe, yet…

I really do trust in the LORD with all my heart and really believe HIS Word the Holy Bible. Yet there are times fear invades my heart. Recently innuendos from the enemy causing fear hit when an especially bad flareup of ongoing severe problems of a loved one manifested. There was no human help available.

So, you know what I did? I ran to the throne of grace, by calling out to the LORD of heaven and earth, to receive mercy and grace to help in my time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Yes, I take those thoughts helpless fear to JESUS and tell HIM how I feel (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Usually then a verse or a phrase from a Bible verse will come to mind and as I speak it out aloud, peace will settle over me.

You know why? Because the Word of GOD is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). It is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) and it cuts through those lies of Satan and the spirit of fear flees when I speak out loud the word placed in my heart (Philippians 2:13).

Looking to JESUS the Author and Perfecter of my faith.

Hugs

Sharon