Whose way?

It is written that the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is always in control (Ephesians 1:11) though HE may not engineer a struggle, one cannot happen without HIS permission (see Job chapters 1 and 2). Although the LORD may allow trouble to come from an outside source it is never without a cause (Proverbs 26:2). The MOST HIGH always has a plan and HIS intent for allowing something difficult is always to achieve a necessary good (Genesis 50:20).

GOD’s ways are not our ways, HE does not think like we do, and HIS thoughts are light years beyond our capacity to comprehend (Isaiah 55:8-9). For that reason, we are told to live by faith, that is to trust the LORD’s wisdom, power and love.

I know that, yet I still find I must remind myself of that when things look bad!  The way I remind myself is by running to GOD and pouring out my heart to HIM.  Then HE whispers (impresses on me) a verse or reminds me of a time HE delivered out of trouble. Whatever HE says stills my soul and returns my peace.

“This I recall therefore I have hope, it is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed because HIS compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is YOUR faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23).

“The LORD is good to them that wait for HIM (to work), to the soul that seeks HIM. It is good that one should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD…For the LORD will not cast off forever, though HE cause grief, yet HE will have compassion according to the multitude of HIS mercies.  For HE does not want to afflict or grieve” (Lamentations 3:25-26, 31-33).

But as a loving FATHER HE must discipline the one HE accepts (those who have come to HIM through JESUS Hebrews 7:25, John 1:12-13).  The LORD does it for their profit that they may be partakers of HIS holiness. We are urged not to despise the discipline of the LORD. No discipline at the time it happens is fun but hard and painful nevertheless afterwards it yields (produces) the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them who are exercised by GOD through their struggles (see Hebrews 12:5-7, 10-11).

It is through our struggles that GOD pleads for us redeeming us from our own sinful nature (Lamentations 3:58).

Disciple from GOD will continue until the child learns.  We as parents do the same with our children. If a child refuses to change though disciplined, harsher discipline must follow.  In that way they cause their own troubles.

“they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way” (Judges 2:19).

“Therefore, shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices” (Proverbs 1:21).

We are told in Isaiah 58:13 that IF we stop going our own way, stop trying to find our own pleasures and stop speaking our own words it is then that we delight in the LORD. 

Delight yourself also in the Lord: and HE shall give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).

Hugs

Sharon

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

An illustration

The favorite summer and weekend place for many of us, Camp Elim/ a Bible Camp has been unable to have on-sight camps due to Covid-19.  But leave it to the Director Dan Faulkner who still wants to touch lives of previous or hopeful campers, parents and counselors.  They have designed a special patch to earn while we must stay at home, or at least not gather in large groups.  There are several requirements to earn the “Peace patch” but the foremost is memorization of some key passages of the Bible. 

As my son, John and I are going for the patch and drilling one another on the verses, I was caught up with one of the verses for it paints a beautiful picture using one of HIS creatures (as is GOD’s way) to show us how HE is with us who struggle but belong to HIM.

As an eagle stirs up her nest, fluttering over her young, spreads abroad her wings, takes them, bearing them on her wings: (Deuteronomy 32:11).

The eagle, who builds a nest at great heights on rugged mountain ledges, waits until she feels her eaglet is ready and then stirs up her nest and knocks it out of the nest and it begins a downward plunge.  She watches the whole while fluttering over her young with her wings spread abroad and just at the right time, she will sloop under the eaglet and catch it on her wings and lifts it up.  This process is repeated over and over until the eaglet begins to fly with strength.

Sometimes my GOD brings me into hard places and things seem hopeless or just too, too hard, just then the LORD sweeps under me and gives me a verse that bears me up, renewing my hope, my peace and my joy.

Looking to JESUS, HE is fluttering over me and praying for me (Hebrews 7:25)

Hugs

Sharon

In GOD’s hands

It is GOD who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure (Psalm 18:32).

We can be sure that the Lord will give us the strength we need and will take care of us. Besides all that JESUS prays for us to develop in us HIS own divine qualities (Hebrews 7:25).

Isn’t that awesome?

Hugs

Sharon L Manning

What should I do?

GOD tells us…spur one another on toward love and good deeds…encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:24) so I want to share a few thoughts.

“GOD knows us better than we know ourselves, and HE knows exactly what we need and when we need it.” AW Tozer

There is a verse that has comes to mind over and over these days since our crisis struck. It is a bit out of context, but sure fits the present situation.

Isaiah 26:20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath (this) has passed by.

I am in the same boat as you, having to stay home too.  So, what do we do to fill the time?  GOD has given us a great opportunity to spend more time with HIM, to rest, talk to our family and get caught up on some things we’ve wanted to do, or even just put a puzzle together.  Let’s use the opportunities.

When the HOLY SPIRIT nudges, let HIM direct your way. HE will lead you along the path GOD has chosen for you quickly. HE moves you one step at a time and encourages you to keep pressing forward (Matthew 6:33-34, 2 Corinthians 3:18).  If you will walk in the SPIRIT in this way there will be joy.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of … ( the pestilence/ virus Psalm 91:3, 5-6): for the LORD thy GOD, HE it is that doth go with thee; HE will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 31:6).

LORD, YOU ask us to walk in faith not sight and so I guess that is why we seldom see the whole picture but always know the next step to take. We trust YOUR love and wisdom… lead us on moment by moment and give us moments of laughter… give us courage to go with YOUR nudges even if we don’t know where they lead I pray in JESUS precious name have YOUR way LORD, have YOUR way for we know YOU know best.

Hugs

Sharon

Do you qualify?

 Are you scared or in need of encouragement? Let me share something from the Word of GOD.

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and HE knows them that trust in HIM” (Nahum 2:7).

The LORD is good

“The Lord is Good” – period. Everything about GOD is good from HIS divine nature and power to everything that is related to me – HIS thoughts about me, HIS plans for me, HIS actions toward me, HIS guidance in me, HIS blessings to me, HIS protection of me, HIS purposes fulfilled through me and HIS ordained circumstances (Acts 17:26) that surround me at this very moment in my life. They may not look good, seem good, sound good or feel good – but because they are ordained of GOD, they ARE good.

The LORD is a strong hold in the day of trouble

a ‘strong hold’ is a fortified place, a defense, a refuge, a place to hide

HE knows them that trust in HIM

to “know” here, means to understand as a familiar friend.

Hebrews 4:15 assures us that, “we have not a high priest (JESUS) who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” JESUS not only knows about and understands your situation, but HE even FEELS right along with you.

to “trust” is to confide in, have hope in and to take refuge in.

GOD knows them as a close friend who confide in HIM, who hope in HIM, and who run to HIM to find a place of safety.

Do you qualify?  Do you trust HIM, confide in, hope and run to GOD?  I hope so.

Hugs

Sharon

GOD is my helper

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)  For the LORD is my helper (Hebrews 13:6)

In the Bible I saw GOD was with Joseph throughout his struggles and gave him authority in every place GOD put him. Joseph understood that things did not just fall into place for him wherever he went because he was something special; he never took credit but rather said, “It is not in me: GOD…” (Genesis 41:16)

In Judges we see the LORD was with Judah- HE gave Judah an assignment and authority and the job was done. (Judges 1:2,19).  The LORD with a group of people, GOD gave them a specific job and HE enabled them to achieve it by sending out a man to show them the way (Judges 1:22-24).

We are told that GOD is always with us so that “we may boldly say the LORD is my helper” (Hebrews 13:6).

In each of these cases GOD gave out assignments to specific people and placed them in their own territory (2 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) and HE was with them to get the job HE had assigned to them done (1 Thessalonians 5:24). It is one of GOD’s ways, and GOD is faithful and unchanging.

Note: GOD was with the one HE placed there to do a job GOD chose for him to do. Describing this in the Old Testament GOD spoke of HIS servants an ax. Just as one picks up an ax to chop wood, HE used the one HE chose to do that which HE wanted done.

“Should an ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or can the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or, as if a staff could lift up itself, as if it were not mere wood!” (Isaiah 10:15).

Do we try to pick out our own jobs? Or wait for GOD’s direction?  Do we go our own way and when we tackle a job and complete it successfully, do we take the credit as if we did it on our own? We need to remember that everything we have we have received therefore there is no reason to boast (I Corinthians 4:7).

See why we should be like Paul and ask, “LORD what would YOU have me do?” (Acts 9:6). GOD gives us a task according to HIS plan and purposes and HE is with us to swing the ax till all the wood is chopped.

Hugs

Sharon

Pour out your hearts to the LORD

As you can deduce by looking at the expression and what our 1st son was doing in the picture, the few short months we had Little Mac was an adventure.

After having two daughters, you’d figure I’d know all about babies. But, number three was a boy. We left the hospital for home going the long way around (about 150 miles out of our way) to show off our little guy to Mac’s family (cousin and aunt) in Susanville.

As we got settled in the car, suddenly there was a spray on the windshield that baffled both of us and we wondered what was wrong with the car. Then I saw a second spray, and so did Mac and our prayerful concern turned to laughter when we noticed where spray originated at.

That moment we knew we were in for a new adventure. You see I had been changing my son’s diaper. Having had only girls, I didn’t realize the need to cover the front of my little guy when changing him.

Not all the adventures with our 1st son were fun but GOD proved HIS love and control through them all.

Often things will come our way knocking us off guard, but we are told “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27) but “Trust in him (GOD) at all times, you people; pour out your hearts (like water) to him, for GOD is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8).

Hugs

Sharon

What do you think about?

Does GOD seem distant?  If so I’d like to ask you, “What do you think about?”  Is GOD in all your thoughts?

YOU (O GOD) will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed (fixed) on YOU, because he trusts in YOU (Isaiah 26:3).

Is your mind stayed (focused) on GOD or is it starved? Starvation of the mind, caused by distractions and neglect, is one of the chief sources of exhaustion and weakness in a servant’s life.

You have the power to turn your mind to GOD. There is no reason to wait for GOD to come to you because HE is always with you (Hebrews 13:5). But until you turn your thoughts and your eyes away from the face of your fears and distractions (idols) your back is to the LORD and you can’t hear GOD talking.

Don’t be as the Old Testament Jews were- forgetful, but REMEMBER what the ALMIGHTY  has done (Psalm 106:6-7).  Turn your thoughts to HIM who saved you, to HIS Word and what HE has done and immediately you will be stirred up as HE whispers in your heart.

When you turn your thoughts to what GOD has said and done- that which is worthy of credit to GOD- you begin to compare and associate HIM with all that happens in your life as well as in nature. 

You see the rising and the setting of the sun and will sing praises to the beauty GOD has made; when seeing the shining of the moon you are reminded that as the moon reflects the light of the sun so you are to reflect the character of your GOD; the twinkling stars and planets will remind you of GOD’s perfect preset synchronized timing (Acts 17:26-27), in your life; and the changing of the seasons will remind you of GOD’s faithfulness that can be counted on.

You will begin to see that HE is doing what HE promised (placing HIS thoughts in your mind and heart (Philippians 2:13, Hebrews 10:16).  Then your mind will no longer be at the mercy of your impulsive thinking, but will always be used in service to GOD.

So. encourage yourself to REMEMBER HIM, and your affection for GOD will increase tenfold. Your mind will no longer be starved, but will be energized and enthusiastic, and you will overflow with hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT (Romans 15:13).

Looking unto JESUS the Author and Finisher of my faith.

Hugs

Sharon

Amazing GOD

I love to sing: “How great is our GOD, sing with me how great is our GOD and all will see how great, how great is our GOD.”

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, YOU are great.

How great is YOUR faithfulness we see that it YOUR design of the seasons and in how YOU keep YOUR promises.  “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, HIS mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, new every morning, great is THY faithfulness O LORD, great is THY faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

How great is YOUR love, compassion and mercy for while we were sinners YOU sent YOUR only Begotten Son, JESUS to come pay for our sins so we could be adopted into YOUR family and live forever with YOU.  

How great is YOUR wisdom and understanding seen in YOUR plans for each of YOUR creation from the boundaries of the waves of the sea to the heavenly bodies to ants… big and small YOUR design is according to great wisdom and understanding.  Plus, YOU tell us that YOU have specific plans for each of those who believe in JESUS.  It is so amazing.

How great is YOUR humor and creativity.  I look at the vast variety of colors and designs from graceful bird to the cartoon stick character of a Praying Mantis.  I am amazed and yet at times must laugh with YOU.

How great is YOUR joy and peace that YOU pour out on those who look to YOU.  And do we ever need it.  Thank YOU.

Yet these are only a tiny part of YOUR ways, Besides the wonder of JESUS these are but some of the minor things YOU do, merely a whisper of YOUR glory and the outer fringe of YOU workings; how faint the whisper we hear of YOU! Who then can understand? (Job 26:14).

YOUR greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3) and I bow in wonder. Please show me more of YOU and my LORD JESUS CHRIST.

It thrills me that YOU take great delight in me, take time to quiet me with YOUR love and even sing over me (Zephaniah 3:37).  And it blows my mind that when we who love YOU think about YOUR name (character) and talk about it that YOU are so delighted that YOU made an awesome vow about us (Malachi 3:16-17). Check it out.

Thank YOU for loving me and giving me JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT and that YOU have promised never to leave me nor forsake me.  YOU are so good!

I love YOU

Sharon