Check it out

Though not the greatest photographer, I love to take pictures with my cell phone (since I do not talk on it, might as well get some use out of it- LOL). Sometimes a picture comes out hazy/ blurred or the images are so small I cannot make them out. Recently I enlarged a picture I thought was of my son John and it turned out to be my grandson, Zachary.

That can happen with our thoughts as well.

Beware every thought that comes into our minds does not originate with us. Some are from GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT (Philippians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21) and some come from the devil (1 Chronicles 21:1, John 13:2).

Our enemy can and does whisper thoughts in our minds. We must beware of those fiery darts of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16). He really does plant suggestions that sound so much like us, we think they are our own thoughts. We know from John 10:10 that the devil only comes to kill, steal, and destroy so when he whispers to us “Oh that will hurt their feelings or cause problems” he is actually out to kill, steal and destroy.

It is our choice what to do with the thoughts that come to us. We are responsible for every choice we make, and our choices have consequences: some good and some bad. Therefore, it is essential to check out every thought with JESUS CHRIST -the Word made flesh (2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 4:16) for if we acknowledge GOD, HE promises to direct us in the way we should go (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Some of my students will say, “but what about this or that.”  My answer sometimes irritates them to no end, so they shut their ears when I say, “Check it out with GOD.” 

You are only responsible to GOD. How is GOD leading you? I find that most often the HOLY SPIRIT will bring a part of a Bible verse to my mind to direct me (John 14:26). What does GOD’s word say? (Isaiah 8:20). GOD will never lead you to disobey HIS word.

When things are fuzzy, you feel a little uneasy about a choice you must make, go to your Heavenly FATHER and the LORD JESUS and ask HIM to make it all clear. For GOD knows the end from the beginning and everything in between. I have heard it said, HE knows all things actual and possible. HE knows what is best and understands fully what will happen because of your choice. GOD desires only good for HIS children.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge (talk over with) HIM and HE will direct your path. Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Hugs

Sharon

What do you seek?

What do you go expecting when you pick up the Bible and read?  Are you looking for information, facts to answer your questions, for a good story, or do you go to meet with GOD HIMSELF and get to know HIM better?

We are told that grace and peace will be multiplied to us, along with all things for life and godliness plus great and precious promises enabling us to participate in the divine nature all come to us through our KNOWLEDGE of GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST (see 2 Peter 1:2-4).

So, we see that getting to KNOW THEM is immensely important.  How do we get to KNOW THEM?

JESUS said, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known ME, Philip? he that has seen ME has seen the FATHER; and how can you say then, ‘Show us the FATHER’?” (John 14:9).  Since that is true, what we see is true of the nature of GOD the FATHER we can KNOW is also true of JESUS CHRIST our LORD and visa versa.

In the Bible we see how both GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST act in different situations and under different conditions.  We see THEM in THEIR relationships with people, angels, animals, and the atmosphere.  Since GOD is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) we can KNOW how HE will act toward us in similar circumstances.

This week we were in 1 Samuel 25.  In verse 39 David blessed the LORD whom he served for 3 things.

1-The LORD pleaded his cause (GOD was a lawyer for HIM).

2-The LORD kept David from doing wrong (by sending one to show him he was wrong).

3-The LORD made things right (took vengeance on wrong),

How does that apply to us?

1-The LORD will defend us who serve HIM against those who come against us.

2-If we are headed in the wrong way, the LORD will show us we are wrong to keep us from doing wrong. (Then it will be up to us to listen.)

3-The LORD will make things right in the end.

As a young teen going into Jr High School (today’s middle school) there was a popular song, its chorus describes a truth I have found in my relationship with my Heavenly FATHER and my LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

To know, know, know YOU is to love, love, love YOU.  Just to (sense) YOUR smile makes my life worthwhile.  To know, know, know YOU is to love, love, love YOU and I do, I do, I do.

Do you KNOW my JESUS?  Are you growing in your knowledge of HIM?

Hugs

Sharon

How can I know how?

How can I know how to love JESUS as I should?

The word love can conjure up many things in our minds.  And we love differently, different things.  I definitely don’t love my cat like I love my daughters or son.

I have questioned how can I know if I love JESUS as I should?  HE died for me and saved me and has given me eternal life and HE still is praying for me.  How can I love HIM the way HE deserves?  As those questions came into my mind, HE answered them with scripture.

HE that has MY words, and keeps them, he it is that loves ME: and he that loves ME shall be loved of MY FATHER , and I will love him, and will manifest (reveal) MYSELF to him” (John 14:21).

Two things show that I love JESUSàhaving HIS word and keeping it.  So then 1^st we have to know what HE wants and 2^nd we have to do what we know we should do.

Read the Bible to know what GOD wants…“YOUR word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against YOU” Psalm 119:11

Ask GOD what HE wants you to do and say…“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge (ask) HIM, and HE shall direct your paths. Don’t be wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” Proverbs 3:5-7.

GOD says:

That HIS word directing us not hidden from us but that that word is very near to us, in our mouths, and in our heart, so we may do it Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (in other words we will know what we should do).

For it is GOD which works (places) in you both (the desire) to will (know what to do) and to be able to do that which HE wants done. Philippians 2:13.

In other words, seek to know what you should do by reading your Bible and asking HIM and then simply do what you know you should do.  When you do that you show JESUS that you love HIM and HE will manifest /reveal to you more about HIMSELF.

Isn’t that wild?

Hugs

Sharon

You must be born again

The picture shows Richard, the proud daddy, when my grandson Zachary was born.  The Bible says that we are born again into GOD’s family and become the children of GOD when we believe in JESUS.  We know there is rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:10) when someone is saved and born into GOD’s family.  How do you think GOD the FATHER feels when someone comes to CHRIST JESUS and is born as HIS child?

“JESUS answered and said unto him, Verily, verily (I assure you that the truth of the matter is), I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD.  Nicodemus replied, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born. Jesus answered, Verily, verily (I assure you that the truth of the matter is), I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3-5). Read the entire chapter of John 3 to find out how JESUS explains it).

But how do you get born again?

“Whosoever believes that JESUS is the CHRIST (promised Messiah) is born of GOD: and every one that loves HIM that begat (GOD the FATHER) loves HIM (JESUS) also that is begotten of HIM (GOD the FATHER)” (1 John 5:1).

Who has the right to be called the child of GOD?

“But as many as received HIM (JESUS), to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS (JESUS) name” (John 1:12)

“For whatsoever is born of GOD overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our FAITH. Who is he that overcomes the world (system, thought patterns, standards), but he that believes that JESUS is the SON of GOD?” (1 John 5:4-5).

“If thou shalt confess with your mouth the JESUS is LORD, and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness (see Romans 3:21-22); and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-10, 13)

How do we get that kind of FAITH?

“So, then FAITH comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of GOD” (Romans 10:17).

When we hear the truth from the Word of GOD and receive it as truth we have FAITH. If we suppress the initial awareness of truth, we refuse the love of the truth and do not get FAITH (Romans 1:18-20).

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of GOD, which lives and abides (lasts) forever” (1 Peter 1:23).

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).

Have you been born again?  I hope so.  If you want to but are not quite sure how, ask GOD to show you and carefully reread this outline.

Hugs

Sharon

How do I know?

Have you ever wondered what GOD wants you to do?

While meeting with the LORD in HIS word this morning, in a story that I have read many times before, a certain truth caught my eye.  I’ve known that truth and shared it in my own words but here it was in precise words in the BIBLE where the prophet Samuel, moved by the HOLY SPIRIT (2 Peter 1:21), spoke it to Saul. Now I could show it to anyone who asked chapter and verse (where do you find it in the Bible). I copied it into my journal (because that helps me remember) and went on reading.

As GOD always prepares the way ahead (Ephesians 2:10) for what HE has for you to do, it wasn’t long before someone asked me, “How can I know what GOD wants me to do?  How can I hear HIS voice?”

I said when you know you should do something that is GOD showing you what HE wants you to do and then turned to 1 Samuel 10:7 and had him read, “do as the occasion demands.  GOD is with you.”

Learning how to hear from GOD started for me in little practical things. This truth of ‘doing what the occasion demands’ began by feeling another should be doing a chore. Then a knowing I should do it. While doing it I was filled with joy for I knew I had heard and answered my Master’s Instructions.

The more I listened to those little proddings the more words jumped off the page as I read the Bible and the more I obeyed the nudges and applied those words the more I understood what GOD was like and what HE wanted me to do.  As I listen and obey HIS voice becomes clearer and clearer.

Mark 4:23-25 If any man have ears to hear (willing to listen and apply), let him hear.  And HE (JESUS) said unto them, Take heed what you hear: with what measure you mete (how carefully you pay attention), it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.  For he that has (received truth), to him shall be given (more truth): and he that hath not (received the truth offered), from him shall be taken even that which he (thinks he) has.

John 7:17 If any man will do HIS (GOD’s) will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of GOD, or whether I speak of MYSELF.

Just like you can begin seeing things true about GOD by looking closely at HIS creation, so you learn how to discern GOD’s voice by obeying those little nudges where you just know you should do something. 

Hugs

Sharon

How can I know for sure?

Some have asked,  “How can I know that I will live forever with JESUS?”

When JESUS was crucified on the cross HE accomplished so much.  I want to speak about one thing HE did and what it made HIM.

The night before JESUS was crucified HE and the disciples met in an upper room and JESUS established at that time a remembrance feast.  Unlike the Old Testament feast under the law it was not for a specific date … I will just let JESUS explain. “In the same way HE (JESUS) also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the NEW COVENANT in MY blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:25).

On the cross JESUS’ blood established the NEW COVENANT and with the NEW COVENANT there were changes. “But in fact the ministry JESUS has received is as superior to theirs (the high priests under the law) as the covenant of which HE is mediator is superior to the old one (Law), since the new covenant is established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).

“Since the children have flesh and blood, HE (JESUS) too shared in their humanity so that by HIS death HE might break the power of HIM who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason HE had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that HE might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to GOD, and that HE might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because HE HIMSELF suffered when HE was tempted, HE is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:14-18).

“Therefore, since we have a GREAT High Priest who has ascended into heaven, JESUS the Son of GOD, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet HE did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Isn’t it amazing that when we are struggling we have someone who understands… (JESUS) to go to for the help and direction we need?

Our high priest, JESUS, is not like the old covenant high priests who had to go into the Holy of Holies once a year with the blood for “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship … It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:1, 4).

“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest (JESUS) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, HE sat down at the right hand of GOD, and since that time HE waits for HIS enemies to be made HIS footstool. For by one sacrifice HE has made perfect forever those  (us who believe in JESUS) who are being made holy Hebrews 10:11-14).

JESUS saves those who come to GOD through HIM to the uttermost. “Therefore HE (JESUS) is able to save completely those who come to GOD through HIM, because HE always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD” (Hebrews 12:2).

That is why we can joyfully say with Paul in Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing,, that  who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of CHRIST JESUS.”

Hugs

Sharon

How can I know if something is meant for me?

How can I believe it is for me?

Isaiah 7:9 (GOD is talking), “..you don’t believe ME! If you want ME to protect you, you must learn to believe what I say.”

Have you ever been reading in the Bible and something strikes home?  It seems to fits like a dress made specifically for you.  But you don’t like what it says, so you brush it away or say it applies to another.

Maybe you want to believe it is meant for you but say to yourself, “how can I believe it is for me.  It is too wonderful or too demanding?” Well notice what GOD said in Isaiah 7? HE said, “learn to believe what I say”. How do we do that? Speak HIS word aloud. It is amazing how the lies of doubt that the enemy shoots at us will flee at the word of GOD.

If it sounds like GOD is speaking directly to you?  HE probably is.

Write out that word.  Speak it aloud, and ask GOD if that word is for you. HE will clarify it for you if you ask willing to accept what HE tells you (James 1:5-6).  If the word tells you to do something, do it.  If it promises you something, claim it.  Notice all the ifs.. those are conditions you need to meet.

Believe GOD’s word, for that is one way GOD speaks to you. “Let the peace of CHRIST rule (be the umpire) in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15). Once you have talked it over with GOD, willing to do the will of GOD you will know (John 7:17).

“For GOD is not a man that HE should lie, nor the son of man that HE will change HIS mind. If HE said it HE will do it, if HE promised, HE will bring it to pass.” Numbers 23:19

Don’t be like King Ahab who refused to believe GOD.  GOD told him, and HE tells us, “If you want me to protect you, you must learn to believe what I say!”

Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfecter of my faith

Hugs

Sharon