Check it out

One summer in the early 70’s was a terrible time of difficulties and confusion for me. Although I lived 50 miles away I decided to go to the Quincy fair to see if I could see any of my friends from high school.  Walking around at the fair, a stranger at the Gospel trailer introduced herself to me and said, “You look troubled. If you ever want to talk here is my address, write me.” And with that she handed me a slip of paper with her name and address. While doing laundry the following week I found that slip of paper and wanting to vent I wrote her.  She challenged me to take 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and give thanks to GOD every time I felt hurt or got mad at my situation, even if it meant doing it dozens of times each day. She told me to disregard my feelings and do just want it said- to give thanks.

I took her challenge and being I had to change my focus off the problem and on to GOD each time I thanked HIM for something negative, things began changing in me. For being with GOD changes us. After a few letters back and forth (we lived over 100 miles apart) she invited me to go with their little church up a mountain for a few days of camping with preaching,  She dismissed my excuses by saying just to bring my 2 young daughters and everything from a tent to food would be provided. I accepted.  During a break in the preaching we were told to go alone and read the Bible. GOD met with me as I sat under a tall Ponderosa Pine reading in Isaiah 50.  Through HIS word the LORD told me what HE was calling me to do (Isaiah 50:4-5) and gave me a strong warning to wait for HIS instructions for if I plotted my own way I would only get myself into trouble (Isaiah 50:10-11).  I believed HIM as HE spoke through HIS Word and the HOLY SPIRIT made it clear in my heart.

As you probably have noticed, GOD called me to share with others that which HE speaks to me through HIS word. Check out what I say by GOD’s Holy Word.

Never in scripture do you find the words, “figure it out yourself.” But repeatedly GOD’s Word urges us to “ask GOD” (James 1:5-7), or “acknowledge GOD” (talk to GOD about it-Proverbs 3:5-7). That is because the LORD has already figured out and knows what I need to do. HE declares that HE has even prepared the way ahead for me and you (Ephesians 2:10).  When GOD nudges me or tugs at me to do something, I know that I need to do it.

Still there are times I must force myself to not to be like a stubborn mule and just trust HIM when I don’t understand. The HOLY SPIRIT reminds me (John 14:26) that HE warned me not to scheme my way ahead but wait for HIS to leading (Isaiah 50:10-11).

There were times that even the 12 disciples questioned our LORD’s leading. “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing, nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” The disciples chose to obey JESUS’ nudge when it made no human sense to them. Because they did, they caught so many fish they had to call for another boat to help them pull them in the catch (Luke 5:5-7).

We need to be open minded and eager to hear GOD’s instructions, willing to do whatever HE wants. JESUS said if we are willing to do what GOD wants we will know if something is really from GOD or not (John 7:17).

A good way to learn to discern GOD’s voice is to be like the Bereans and daily search the scriptures (Acts 17:11). That way we will recognize the LORD’s voice when we hear it and know if the nudge or tug we are feeling is really from GOD.

hugs

Sharon

I will enter HIS gates

Singing to and of the LORD is something that always lifts up my heart with joy and refocuses me off of struggles and onto what GOD promises ” for what is seen (our situation) is temporary, but what is not seen (that which GOD is achieving for us through our situation) is eternal(2 Corinthians 4:17-18),. 

Here is part of a chorus I learned at Camp Elim based on Psalm 100:4 that I still love to sing.

I will enter HIS gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter HIS courts with praise, I will say this is the day that the LORD has made I will rejoice for HE has made me glad.

hugs

Sharon

Are you weary?

Several years ago feeling weary in spirit, I thought of the old saying that if the devil can’t get you to sin, he will get you too busy to think.  So, I blamed my schedule and wanted a break.  It was then an opportunity arose that allowed me leave everything behind for a few days and go up by myself to my old stomping grounds- Camp Elim. It worked out for me to go up the day before for the retreat so had several precious hours of quiet and being still before the LORD. 

On a blanket of pine needles under a tall pine tree I talked to GOD as I gazed at the peaceful beauty of tall green pines, blue skies with fluffy white clouds and a few wildflowers here and there.  Unable to contain my joy at the beauty, I praised my Creator as HE calmed my weary spirit with HIS beauty.  Then putting new words to an old song, I sang a new song to the LORD.

It was there HE reminded me that the glory of this world is of one type and different than the glory of the heavens (1 Corinthians 15), but both were beautiful.  I knew HE wanted me to enjoy the beauty of this world while I was here.

Absorbing the beauty, I began to yearn to be there in the mountains among the trees all the time. I wanted a picture to take with me, so I jumped up went and got my phone. But the screen went black as I hit the camera app. Being in a low signal area had pulled extra power and my battery was almost dead. Disappointed, I went to my room to plug it in.

When I was plugging my phone into the charger a notification directed me to a text from a friend.  She had just sent a Bible text. “Even so I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat and drink and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life GOD has given them, and to accept their lot in life.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18).

GOD used my sweet friend sending that verse to gently convict me. To turn my eyes back to what is good. For you see the words “accept their lot in life” screamed at me. Then a still small voice whispered, “Sharon, I have put you where you are at, even all the problems, and each interruption is from ME and it is good, accept it.”

Peace flooded over me as I received GOD’s gentle rebuke.  My weariness was not from my schedule, it was because of my focus.  I’d lost sight of my goal, and my focus was on what is seen and not on GOD. Directed to see my lot as being a gift from GOD to serve HIM, changed it all, the weariness eased, and peace and joy sprung up.

Wow! I had grumbled at having to go plug in my phone and it was that interruption that gave me direction and was blessing me.  I had forgotten the one thing that so long had changed me.  I had forgotten to give thanks in and for all things for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you (Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

It was not the devil getting me too busy that got me weary, but my own negligence. By not giving thanks for all things, I had forsaken the source of all energy received when acknowledging GOD in all things with thanksgiving.

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

A clothesline

Probably because I look back on the time I lived with my grandmother as being the best years of my childhood and two of my jobs were washing dishes and hanging out the laundry that both jobs bring good memories to me. They both are relaxing to me and to this day I don’t mind doing dishes by hand and I actually love hanging out clothes on a line.  Until we moved to Pueblo, we always had a clothesline, or I’d rig one up a line or two to hang clothes on.  If you look closely behind my two oldest girls and our blind dog sitting in the grass in front of the little picket fence of a ramshackle place we lived 53 summers ago, you will see clothes I hung up on a makeshift clothesline.

I glanced out my dining room window into the unkept back yard of my Pueblo neighbor and I saw something I wanted-a clothesline.

My thoughts took it even further: “they don’t even use it!” I said to myself.  Then the Holy SPIRIT nudged me, “you are lusting, Sharon.”

“Oh, LORD,” I cried out, “I’m sorry, Thank you for my dryer.”

Then the realization hit, and I had to smile at the humor of GOD in answering my arrow prayer for a lead-in to the devotion HE had just nudged me to write.

After the waves of the Red Sea came crashing down over their enemies- the Egyptian troops chasing them, “then the Hebrews believed GOD’s words, they sang HIS praise.  Not long after they forgot HIS works, they waited not for HIS counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted GOD in the desert (Psalm 106:12-14).

What happened?  The Jews got to thinking about the different kinds of food they had back in Egypt. The more they thought about it, the more they focused on it and forgot all about what GOD had and was doing for them. 

Scientists have discovered a way to see thoughts and have learned that each thought is like a small branch growing on a tree.  If I understand correctly, the more you think of something the stronger the branch becomes.  We really need to stop here and think about that for a moment.  Reliving hurts or desires will make them grow stronger and stronger.

Here in Pueblo, we have some old trees with huge branches.  As you think about wanting something over and over, it becomes a stronghold, like a huge branch (2 Corinthians 10:4) that keeps you captive and you revisit those thoughts. 

But just as the snow and heavy winds this past winter have broken huge branches from the trees, so GOD tells us to take captive our thoughts.  For me that means talking every thought over with JESUS.  When I do I begin seeing things differently.  For HE impresses my heart with HIS heart. The Bible speaks much about choosing to change our thoughts and being renewed in our minds.

John 14:1 Let not your heart (thoughts) be troubled, Believe in GOD, believe also in ME.”

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”.

Romans 12:2 “…do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD. And the peace of GOD will throw you beyond having to understand and will guard and keep you heart and mind.”

2 Corinthians 4:15 “For all things are for your sakes…16 …therefore, we do not lose heart…17 for our momentary and light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison (the pain of today) 18 while we look not at the things we seen (our situation with its struggles), but at what is not seen (that which GOD is achieving and producing for us through our situation with its struggles).  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

We lust when we focus on what we think we want- it makes us dissatisfied with what we have, and we lose proper perspective. That lust and our dissatisfaction will grow in intensity as we think on it.  But, we have the power of GOD to run to JESUS for mercy and grace to help in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16).  When my thoughts go where they should not, I run to JESUS pour out what I am feeling and HE enables me by showing me HIS perspective (2 Corinthians 10:5). I don’t know how HE does it, but it really works for me.

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

Hugs

Sharon

Ready for a change?

Do you feel it is time for a change?  I want to tell you about what changed me.

I was 24 and a young mother with 2 small daughters.  It wasn’t long after the death of my baby boy that brought me back to the LORD that we moved back to California.  I knew very little about the word of GOD and was just beginning Bible study to learn about the GOD I’d met when I was 12.  It was a terrible time for many reasons and one gal, I didn’t even know, saw my pain and suggested I obey GOD (Ephesians 5:20, I Thessalonians 5:18)  and give thanks to the LORD for and in everything that upset me for 30 days and just see what would happen. 

So, taking up her challenge. I began saying thank you for whatever bugged me.  At 1^st it was maybe even 30 times a day and each time it was said between clenched teeth.  But as the days rolled by, I had to say it less and less for I wasn’t getting upset as often. 

Later I understood that each time I went to GOD and said , “I thank you for ___________” I was entering into GOD’s presence and was talking to the eternal GOD of the universe.  Just being in GOD’s Presence made Moses’ face glow.

I know now that as I went to the LORD and gave thanks to GOD in almost defiant obedience (Ephesians 5:20 give thanks for all things and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all things) it changed me.  For spending time with GOD in obedience (talk to ME about everything-Proverbs 3:5-7), even though I was unloading my frustrations made me different for HIS very presence calmed me and I learned to enjoy that calm of HIS presence and began to trust HIM.  When a few months later we moved back to Colorado one woman said, “Wow, Sharon, you have changed, you are not the same person!”  And I wasn’t.

Is it a time for a change?

Hugs

Sharon

Is surrender on your to do list

Today I read,  “Has 2020 shaken your confidence in the things of this world? Good! Let’s celebrate the death of our worldly desires. (see 1 John 2:16)”/Cole.

Then I came across an old song (below) they seem to go together.

We bring the sacrifice of praise, into the house of the LORD      

We bring the sacrifice of praise, into the house of the LORD

We offer up to YOU the sacrifices of thanksgiving

We offer up to YOU the sacrifices of joy.

Why would it be a sacrifice (something that cost you something) to bring PRAISE to the LORD?

If you perceive something as bad happens, is it hard to push those thoughts aside and praise the LORD?

What about a sacrifice of THANKSGIVING?  WHEN is giving THANKS a sacrifice?  And if it is a real sacrifice HOW is it done?

We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:18-In everything (the good, the bad and the ugly) give thanks: for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you. (Please note it does not say feel thanks but give thanks.)

Let’s say someone talks trash to you, HOW do you give thanks and not give back the same?

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, HE (GOD) who calls you (tells you to do something) is faithful, who also will do it.

But WHY does GOD allow or put problems in our lives?  WHY doesn’t HE protect us?

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 15 For all things are for your benefit…Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light (by comparison) affliction, which is but for a moment, is working (achieving) for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen (our situation), but at the things which are not seen (what GOD is achieving for us through our situation). For the things which are seen (our situations) are temporary, but the things which are not seen (all GOD is achieving for us through the problems of today) are eternal.

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways MY ways,” says the LORD.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways, and MY thoughts than your thoughts.

Under the Old Testament when giving a sacrifice they killed the animal and then burnt it on an altar.  But in the New Testament Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (spiritual worship).

In other words GOD asks us not to lean on our own understanding or be wise in our own eyes but to trust HIM fully and obey believing that HE loves us and that HIS plan is best (Proverbs 3:5-7).  Will you surrender all to follow HIM and offer that sacrifice of thanksgiving?

hugs

Sharon

I forgot

Have you even had one of those days when one thing after another goes wrong?  Today was like that for me.  I wrote a lesson for my class’s homework for next week and it disappeared (I praise the LORD I printed it out before I closed it, I was using my blender for the energize and it quit, and on and on things went wrong. 

I felt kinda frustrated until a friend asked me how I was.  As I began relating my woes, I realized I had clean forgotten to “thank the LORD for all things for this is the will of GOD concerning me” (I Thessalonians 5:18). 

So, through grit teeth, I said, “Thank YOU LORD” and crazy as it sounds my whole perspective changed.  A little obedience to GOD’s word works wonders! Note: GOD does not say we have to feel thankful, just give thanks believing GOD is in control.

Laugh if you will but try giving thanks for all things and see what happens.

Hugs

Sharon

Stretching

My son tells me that stretching gets your muscles ready to run a race and do your best. If you don’t stretch before and after running, painful cramps are very likely to occur.  My physical therapist says the stretches she puts me though, although they are far from comfortable, must be held for a few counts for them to do what they are supposed to do to enable my knee to become more flexible.

Challenges can stretch you as a person, in the same way, and prepare you to run the race of life. Way back when, a total stranger challenged me, and when I took up her challenge I was totally changed and became more flexible.

I was at a point where difficult personal circumstances had become my focus, and I was deeply discouraged-all hope had fled.

A stranger stopped me and said, “You are hurting. I challenge you to write out I Thessalonians 5:18 and keep it with you. For one month, every time you feel down, or are angry, read it out loud and do what it says.”

In everything give thanks for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you (I Thessalonians 5:18).

I noticed that it was a command and said give, not feel. My mind flew to the verse, “give the sacrifice of thanksgiving. And knew a sacrifice is giving something at a cost. Hmmm. I figured it sure wouldn’t hurt anything, and GOD did say to do it, so I accepted the challenge.

The first few days I was saying, “GOD I thank you for ___________ through grit teeth, as I seethed with anger, or pain. 20 to 30 times a day I would stop and say it. Slowly, the seething and gritting my teeth stopped and I didn’t have to choose to give GOD thanks when something upset or troubled me as often for I looked forward to the peace that it brought me.

As my attitude began changing some I knew before the challenge began asking, “What has happened to you? You are not the same person.”

They were right, I wasn’t. Peace and joy now replaced the hurt, timidity, fear, anger and self-pity.

There are days, like today (when due to struggles, I must choose to give a sacrifice of thanksgiving to GOD. Yet, when I do, peace and joy return.

But it took practice, the stretching of that 1st month hurt, it didn’t even make sense, but I persevered because GOD said to do it! There are times, when it is hard to do. But, when I obey, my perspective always changes. For you see, when we go to GOD with something and give it totally to HIM, thanking HIM for it, HE promises (and HE cannot lie) to lead our steps (Proverbs 3:5-7a, Philippians 4:6-7).

I now challenge any of you struggling, for any reason, to verbally give thanks to GOD for the situation you are facing. Do it out loud because this is spiritual warfare and we fight spirits who cannot read our minds. The enemy needs to hear us submit to GOD.  We ourselves are strengthened by hearing the words of faith, reminding us that GOD is in control. Remember, feelings have nothing to do with it. We are told to give, not feel.

GOD says that all things are for our benefit, and that our momentary troubles are achieving for us wonderful things that far outweigh the pain of today and will last forever (see 2 Corinthians 4:15-18). I believe HIM, do you?

Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfecter of my faith

Hugs

Sharon