Taste the heavenly gift

Many years ago, a friend of mine while out walking saw the then President of the USA. She was allowed to get a picture of herself with him.  She treasures that picture.  That is just an example of how people value those in high position.  Yet strange as it seems, although everyone has the opportunity to not just to meet, but actually get to know the MOST HIGH HIMSELF, few do.

In our study of Hebrews, we came to the phrase ‘tasted of the heavenly GIFT’. When asked what that GIFT was, the girls had different answers, so we looked at it more closely.

“The wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of GOD is ETERNAL LIFE through JESUS CHRIST our LORD (Romans 6:23).

And this is ETERNAL LIFE, that they might know YOU (GOD the FATHER) and JESUS CHRIST whom YOU sent (John 17:3).

How do you get that GIFT?

“HE (JESUS) is able to save to the uttermost, those who COME to GOD through HIM” (Hebrews 7:25).

“For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM (JESUS) shall not perish but have ETERNAL LIFE” (John 3:16).

The words taste the heavenly GIFT means to begin to actually know GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  Up until that moment we believe in/ put our trust in JESUS and call on the name of the LORD (John 3:16, Romans 10:13), we just have heard about THEM and we can gather a lot of facts about THEM.  But once we truly believe and ask JESUS the LORD to save us, we meet both GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST as it were face to face.

From that point on, the more time we spend praying and listening by reading GOD’s Word the better we get to know THEM and what THEY like and how THEY feel as well as experience THEIR love and leading in tangible ways.

So, you see that ETERNAL LIFE means so much more than just life that will go on forever and ever.  For even those thrown into the everlasting lake of fire for refusing GOD’s offer of the heavenly GIFT through JESUS CHRIST, are consciously aware forever and ever (Revelation 20:10, 15 John 3:36).

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

All things

Yesterday my granddaughter Chloe took me for a drive in her little black convertible.  Knowing how I love the wind blowing in my hair, she handed me a hat to protect me from the sun and put the top down and off we went.

We stopped at Mineral Palace Park and softly spoke to and laughed at all comical squirrels playfully scampering all around us.  Many coming up quite near and standing on their hind legs with forepaws out begging for a treat.  But we had nothing to give.

We looked down over the bridge at the little fish and walked among the myriads of fantastic variety of colored and shaped flowers.  I marveled at GOD’s sense of humor and love of color and design. Some were so tiny a half dozen could fit on my forefinger, another was like brilliant red feathers a foot high, some looked like they had been spray painted a silvery white- there were so many varieties some I loved and many I had never seen before.

The arm (the power) of GOD had created all of it with just a word (Genesis 1), and like a suitor trying to impress the girl he loves, GOD gives such amazing gifts. The best gift of all was JESUS.  “For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only (uniquely) begotten Son that whosoever believed in HIM would not perish but have eternal life.”

For all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and the wages of sin is death but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD (Romans 6:23).

Yes, JESUS came and bore all our sin on the cross because HE wants us to live forever with HIM in paradise.  But the gift of eternal life must be received by calling on JESUS to save us.  All who call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved from their sins (Romans 10:13).

Have you called on the name of the LORD?

Hugs

Sharon

Let’s celebrate

Birthday parties and cakes are fun, but today’s birthday I celebrate with singing and prayer.  For today is Pentecost, the birthday the church of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

How can I say that?  Well, it is written that the HOLY SPIRIT baptizes each person into the body of CHRIST (the church) when he/she believes (1 Corinthians 12:13) and that could not begin until the HOLY SPIRIT was given (John 7:38-39). 

The HOLY SPIRIT was given on the day of Pentecost (an old Testament feast day that was 50 days after Passover)- it was also 50 days after the JESUS dying for the sins of the world on the cross.  When the HOLY SPIRIT arrived, HE baptized every believer JESUS.  At that time they had gathered to await the promise of the HOLY SPIRIT’s coming (Acts 2:1-4)

JESUS said to HIS disciples before HIS crucifixion, “HE is the HOLY SPIRIT, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive HIM, because it isn’t looking for HIM and doesn’t recognize HIM. But you know HIM, because he lives with you now and later will be IN you” (John 14:17 NLT)

All 59 English translations carried by Bible Gateway say HE (the HOLY SPIRIT will be IN you).  Why is that so important that JESUS said you are not to go out as MY witness until the HOLY SPIRIT comes? (Acts 1:8)

1-As JESUS put it, the HOLY SPIRIT within us will be like a spring of living water rising up from within and overflowing to others (John 4:14/ 7:38-39). In other words, HE is developing in us love, joy, peace, gentleness, faithfulness, yes the divine nature (2 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Peter 1:1-4, Galatians 5:22-23).  Part of HIS job is fulfilling GOD’s decree that believers in JESUS will be transformed into the likeness of their LORD and Savior JESUS (Romans 8:29, 1 John 3:1-2)

2-The HOLY SPIRIT interprets for us GOD’s will (1 Corinthians 2:10-12) and directs our steps for HE is the mind of CHRIST within us (1 Corinthians 2:16)

3- HE teaches us all things we need to know as GOD’s servants (John 16:13-14) and reminds us of what we so easily forget (John 4:26).

4-HE is our power source to do what we ought (Acts 1:8)

5-HE is the ONE who takes the words we speak and convicts people (John 16:8).

6-HE seals us until the day of redemption when CHRIST comes for HIS church (Ephesians 4:30).

7-The HOLY SPIRIT is the promise of the FATHER, through JESUS and is a real person.  Let us not grieve HIM (Ephesians 4:30 for HE is stuck with us/ sealed in us) by sinning, nor quench HIM (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20) by refusing HIS instructions.

Join me and let’s celebrate today the incredibly amazing gift of HOLY SPIRIT and the birthday of the Church (body of CHRIST Colossians 1:18) with singing.

Hugs

Sharon

Open your eyes!

“Come on lets go!” Like the little puppy, sometimes we are in a rush to get going and we wonder if GOD is sleeping. Why am I not seeing the promises HE gave me fulfilled?  But all timing is in GOD’s hands and HE has a reason for every seeming delay (Acts 17:26-27).

Problems and waiting are hard and sometimes we forget to look around us at the little gifts from GOD as HE teaches us in other areas.  When I do look around my attitude changes and I am filled with joy.

I just got back from a stroll around the park across the street from my house.  The sun is shining brightly, the wind blew softly just enough to keep my hair out of my face and then I saw a tiny squirrel scampering around, I couldn’t help but smile.  There also was a beautifully colored bird perched on a fence.

Each of those things, beginning with my ability to walk without pain around the park are special gifts from the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and redirected my thoughts from struggles to our wonderful loving Creator and totally changed my attitude.

GOD is so good!

Hugs

Sharon

It wasn’t enough

That’s me, trying with all my might to learn to play the piano. I remember well the ticking away of my metronome and trying so hard to keep pace to the tempo. But even with all my diligent efforts, those few short months of seemingly endless practice, my short, chubby fingers had a hard time keeping up. They just clumsily plunked away. Then with the move over 500 miles away to live with and to help my semi-invalid Grandma, there was no money for lessons, and I got swept away with my new world, new friends and a church. There were no thoughts of the piano.

My efforts were not enough to produce beautiful music.  Perhaps, had I continued practicing I would have gotten better, who knows. However, I do know playing the piano didn’t come naturally, although a love of music did and still resides deep within my soul!

A young man came to JESUS and asked, “… what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). Just as through diligent efforts I was trying to reach my goal, through his diligent efforts he was trying to earn eternal life. But it was not enough.

The man came asking, “What good work could he do to get eternal life.” He came depending on his own resources and efforts (dead works) to earn eternal life.

Knowing the heart of the man and what he treasured, JESUS said, “Keep the commandments.” The man replied, “I do.”

As we know, the 1st and greatest command is to love GOD with all your heart, and soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38). So, JESUS exposed, to the man his own heart. HE did not do it to show the young man up, but rather, JESUS loved the man and wanted him to repent (that is change his mind and depend on GOD not himself nor any other thing (Mark 10:21).

When JESUS told the man to sell what he had, give it away, and follow HIM, the man’s face fell, and he went away sad (Mark 10:17-22) for he loved and depended on his $ money more than GOD.

JESUS defines eternal life: “And this is eternal life, that they may know YOU, the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST whom YOU sent (John 17:3).  Therefore, eternal life cannot be earned.

As we seek to know GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST, we look to GOD alone, and trust HIM and not our self-efforts, to get eternal life.

“For GOD so loved the world that HE gave us HIS only Begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM (JESUS), shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).  “For the wages of sin (we earn it) is death, but the gift (a gift is given, not earned) of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD” (Romans 6:23).

“As it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man the things which GOD has prepared for those who love HIM” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

All my efforts and practicing the piano didn’t produce beautiful music. In the same way, no amount of effort will get you eternal life. Only knowing GOD and HIS SON JESUS will do that.

Look unto JESUS, the Author and Perfecter of faith.

Hugs
Sharon