What do you fear?

Some people seem to FEAR many things and in these trying times FEAR attacks each of us.

So, what should we do?

“YOU will keep in perfect peace the mind that stayed (focused) on YOU because he trusts in YOU. Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

“For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, “Say not, A conspiracy!, to all of them to whom this people shall say, A conspiracy!; neither FEAR what they FEAR, nor be AFRAID. Sanctify the LORD of hosts HIMSELF; and let HIM be your FEAR and let HIM be your dread (not wanting HIS displeasure). And HE shall be for you a sanctuary;” (Isaiah 8:11-14a).

The FEAR of the LORD is the beginning both of wisdom and understanding (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10). As you focus on the LORD you learn to TRUST HIM (which includes GOD’s love, HIS word, HIS control, HIS power, HIS knowledge and wisdom and HIS justice) and you will have peace. A peace that will throw you beyond having to understand (Philippians 4:6-7).

The spirit of FEAR (FEAR of anything other than GOD) cannot cohabit with peace for “There is no FEAR in love; but perfect love casts out FEAR because FEAR hath torment. He that FEARS is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

As Oswald Chambers said, “The remarkable thing about FEARING GOD is that when you FEAR GOD you FEAR nothing else, whereas if you do not FEAR (trust) GOD you FEAR everything else.”

“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that FEARS the LORD, that delights greatly in HIS commandments” (Psalm 112:1).

Who or what do you FEAR, or should I say trust in?

Hugs

Sharon

The end of the matter

What an awesome time in the mountains at my favorite place- Camp Elim.  I worked there for many years.  This complimentary retreat in the beautiful pine trees and aspens for my 77^th birthday was totally refreshing. The amazing teaching, awesome singing, delicious food and fun fellowship with old and new friends was quite a energizing break for me.

Now, I want to encourage you on the end of the matter for I found the teaching quite good. 

What do you do when things are hard? 

In the 1^st session Jon Glock took us to Jeremiah 1 to underscore GOD’s call and promises to the young man Jeremiah (late teens or barely 20-year-old).  In sessions 2 and 3 we see why Jeremiah is nicknamed the weeping prophet. For he not only proclaimed GOD’s message to the people, but he also shared freely of his personal struggles through persecution and mockery. Then for the last session we went to Lamentations 3, which is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.

From Lamentation 3:17-18 Jon emphasized a concept, and 4 words.

Soul defined as being the whole self.  In these 2 verses we see 4 ways Jeremiah’s soul is affected by his reflection on his circumstances.

Peace– Jeremiah had no peace at this point.

Happiness or joy– Jeremiah had forgotten what it was like to be happy.

Strength– His strength was gone.

Hope– Jeremiah’s hope had perished. 

In Lamentations 3:19-20 Jeremiah remembered (FOCUSED on) his affliction, misery, the bitterness he felt, and he was humbled.  He felt helpless, discouraged, depressed to the point of despair, and wanting to quit.

but then, after Jeremiah cried out to the LORD, I think its scripturally accurate to say the HOLY SPIRIT brought to his mind/ turned Jeremiah’s mind to what he needed to FOCUS on (Proverbs 21:1).

Lamentations 3:21- Jeremiah recalled and chose to FOCUS on things he knew true about GOD and what GOD had promised.  Doing so brought him hope.

WHAT came to Jeremiah’s mind?

It is because of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed

GOD’s compassions don’t fail!  HIS compassions are new every morning.

Great is GOD’s faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Then Jeremiah declared, “the LORD is my portion (that which gives me –my soul strength) therefore, I will, hope in HIM.  the LORD is good to them that wait for HIM, to the soul that seeks HIM.” (Lamentations 3:24-25).

Haven’t you found that true? I sure have!

The one line take-away Jon gave was: You must THINK (FOCUS) right to be able to do (live) right.

I, Sharon, know from repeated experiences, that these truths about where you find help in trouble and how your FOCUS affects your entire being is right on. When things get dark/ heavy with hard impossible stuff, as it has over, and over, and over again these past few years, causes me to cry out to GOD. often either a characteristic of GOD or a promise from GOD’s word comes into my mind or I’m nudged to open the Word of GOD and a word there strikes me. 

I know it is the HOLY SPIRIT nudging me or reminding me because JESUS said that is what the HOLY SPIRIT would do (John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:10).

Whatever truth concerning GOD’s nature/ or scriptural promise that comes to mind lifts me up, giving me peace, joy and hope.  Thereby, I am strengthened incredibly in my faith, my understanding and even physically and emotionally I feel it. I am filled with thanksgiving and am enabled to go on with a real smile anticipating what GOD is at work achieving through it all (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).  

Most often the circumstances don’t automatically change, but my FOCUS and attitude sure do. GOD tells us we are to live by faith not sight (Habakkuk 2:2, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38- remember repetition in GOD’s Word brings with it emphasis).

Often, I am compelled to share the very comfort I have just received from GOD (2 Corinthians 1:4) in hopes that another needs that word and will be comforted with GOD’s message to me.  That’s why you hear from me so much.

Stop for a moment, be still and consider, which truth about GOD/ or which of HIS great and precious promises do you go to (FOCUS on) the most in times of struggle?

hugs

Sharon

To learn

 “To learn you must want to be taught.  To refuse reproof is stupid” Proverbs 12:1 TLB

Well, reproof is exactly what I got when I got to Proverbs 12:6 “The wicked accuse.. the godly defend.” 

As I read that verse, immediately my thoughts flew to my granddaughter Chloe.  Even when she was small, if I grumbled at someone’s actions and Chloe was around to hear, she would defend that person.  She was and is always quick to focus on the good.

Humbled by a child.

hugs

Sharon

What’s the difference?

What is the difference between happiness and joy?

Me and a friend looked up into the sky.  I was filled with joy at the beauty of the clouds, while my friend scowled in dread of a potential storm.  I believe this shows the difference between joy and happiness. 

Happiness depends on what happens.  But joy comes as a result of focus on GOD and HIS faithful promises. 

Notice in Romans 15:13 Joy and peace is given to us by GOD as we believe HIM (GOD is in control and knows what HE is doing) and as we focus on GOD the HOLY SPIRIT  makes us overflow with hope so that is spills over onto others.

Now the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may overflow in hope, through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT Romans 15:13.

We cannot control what happens to us so we cannot control our happiness.  But, our focus determines whether we are filled with joy therefore, it is a choice.

What are you choosing today?

Hugs

Sharon

Problems?

I awoke this morning to another serious crisis… I see no way..  No light, not even the end of the tunnel.  But the LORD GOD makes a way were there seems no way.

Are there problems in your world, like there is in mine?

Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not, therefore you… are not consumed.

GOD knows all things past, present and future (HE even knows what we are going to say before we do- Psalm 139:2) GOD has eternal power (Romans 1:20), GOD is creative and made all things (John 1:3) GOD is infinite (has no limits although HE sets limits on all things), HE is love and proved it by sending JESUS to die for us (John 3:16), GOD is just and the justifier of all who believe in JESUS (Romans 3:26), GOD is true (Romans 3:4), GOD is faithful (Lamentations 3:23) GOD is merciful and compassionate (Lamentations 3:22) and has given believers in JESUS great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4).

“Behold, these (all the above) are just the fringes (mere edges) of HIS ways; And how faint a word we hear of HIM…?” (Job 26:14).  There is much about GOD that is hinted at that we cannot comprehend and even more that we cannot see at all as long as we are mortals with a fallen sin nature in our human bodies.

Everything true about GOD is true about everything else HE is. GOD is unchangeable.  HIS faithfulness is unchangeable (we see it in the rising of the sun and going down of the same day after day, after day). HIS love is infinite (unlimited), HIS knowledge unfathomable, HIS mercy is just and fair in every way, and it is with compassionate love that HE disciplines and judges.

Although different in kind and scope, we all face decisions, struggles and problems.  Many of us can see little or no hope in the circumstances… the things we see.

But GOD’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and GOD declares, 1 Corinthians 4:15-18 “For all things are for your benefit, that the abundant grace (GOD supplies to you) might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of GOD. Because of that we don’t faint; but though our outward man perish (is wasting away), yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our (comparative) light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (that far surpasses the pain of today; … look not at the things which are seen (your circumstances), but at the things which are not seen (that which GOD is achieving for you through your circumstances): for the things which are seen (your circumstances) are temporal (they will pass); but the things which are not seen (that which GOD is achieving through the problems) are eternal (and will benefit you forever). (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

How will focusing on GOD’s unchanging nature instead of your circumstances give you greater hope?

I have found that my focus determines my perspective.

Almighty GOD, I worship YOU for only YOU are worthy. Maker of heaven and earth I look to YOU.  Please renew my vision of YOU so I can focus on YOU and trust YOUR constant presence and control although things in my world are so out of control.  Thank YOU LORD, for YOUR promise that YOU are with me and will enable me to get through this valley.  I trust YOU and just knowing YOU have a plan, are at work and in control brings me such peace and joy and just writing this out builds my confidence for I am persuaded that YOU are able to do all that YOU promise.  I praise YOU my heavenly FATHER and pray in the name of YOUR SON, my Savior JESUS.  AMEN.

Hugs

Sharon

Psalm 116:12-13 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.

Hope

It is wrong to do what GOD tells us not to do.  JESUS said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in GOD, believe also in ME (John 14:1).

If we deliberately do what we know is wrong- do what does not please GOD, it is turning away from GOD or turning our back to GOD. When we are afraid that is what happens for our focus is not on GOD but on a situation or a desire.  We must humbly turn back around and look to GOD for answers, willing to do things HIS way before we can hear HIS voice clearly. 

“Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the LORD GOD of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed” (Amos 5:14 (NLT).

“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16).

What we focus on affects our attitude.

1-If we focus on the problems our perspective is that things are hopeless and that is how it will seem to us.

2-If we focus on a pet sin or temptation, we will be drawn into it.

3-But if we focus on GOD and HIS great promises, we will know that without a doubt GOD will come through for us. We will be thankful and flooded with HIS peace that will throw us beyond having to understand that peace will guard our hearts and mind (Philippians 4:6-7) and hope will rise within us.

Just as Elisha said to his servant, I say to you: “Do not fear, There are more for you than against you!”

LORD, the sky is bluer, the leaves on the trees are greener and the beauty of my Irises fills me with wonder and thanksgiving when I look to YOU. When problems crowd in or the state of the nation and world looms darker and darker, help me to change the direction of my focus so I can see things from YOUR point of view. Please remind me of verses to claim so YOUR light, peace and hope fill my heart and soul as YOU show me what YOU are seeing and what YOU are doing, I ask in JESUS name, Amen.

Looking unto and for JESUS

Hugs

Sharon