Any problems?

Is anyone among you troubled?  Is anyone struggling, hurting, or grieving?

Many of us are suffering in problems and sickness even though we pray. It helps me to know that when I don’t get the answer I want there is a reason intended for our good.  GOD declares that our struggles are producing things in us (James 1:2-4) and that our temporary troubles benefit us and are achieving things for us that will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

We who believe in and have called on the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the eternal Word (John 1:1-3, 14), the SON of GOD (John 3:16) who took on a human body, was born of a virgin, died on the cross for man’s sins and was raised again for our justification believe the written word of GOD referenced as the Bible.  The Bible speaks to us today.  Do we pay attention to GOD’s word?

If we believe in JESUS we are born again and become children of GOD (John 1:12-13, John 3:5-7).

 JESUS in bringing many sons (believers) to glory -HE the ONE through whom GOD the FATHER created all things (Hebrews 1:1-3) that JESUS had to suffer in all ways that men suffer (Hebrews 2:10-11,18, 4:15), JESUS suffered not just to save us from punishment but also to prepare HIMSELF as our high priest. (Hebrews 2:17).

Therefore HE (JESUS CHRIST) had to be made like HIS brothers in every respect, so that HE might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of GOD, to make propitiation (atonement) for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17).

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love GOD, to those who are the called according to HIS purpose.  For whom HE foreknew (would believe in JESUS), HE also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, that HE (JESUS) might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:28-29).

The LORD JESUS CHRIST was prepared to be our Savior and High Priest through the things that HE suffered, and we also are prepared to be what GOD has called us individually to be through the things that we suffer.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of CHRIST’s sufferings, that when HIS glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12-13).

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST (1 Peter 1:6-7),

Therefore, since CHRIST suffered in HIS body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin (1 Peter 4:1).

Whatever you are suffering, or a loved one is suffering it is for your and their good and will achieve great things for both of you.

Hugs Sharon

HE edits my prayers

I PRAISE the LORD that the HOLY SPIRIT edits my prayers.

When I was 12 I came to JESUS and HE saved me.  A couple of years later at a summer camp I felt compelled to ask HIM to do whatever was necessary to make me all HE wanted me to be.  Just months later, though I was an A student, I began having trouble understanding in my classes.  It was discovered that I had a severe hearing loss and that is was getting worse. So, from age 15 on I was considered profoundly hearing impaired. Mockery and put downs that naturally resulted from my misunderstanding led me to isolate to a great degree other than church and women’s Bible study. 

I spent much time with GOD in HIS word through those years when my kids were at school. Meanwhile at 35 I got my 1^st hearing aids but I still missed a lot while conversing.  Yet, the LORD who loves to use foolish things (1 Corinthians 1:27) enabled me participate in women’s Bible studies and even teach hearing children and work as a counselor of kids at a Christian camp and go on prayer journeys to three countries overseas.

I praise the LORD for my hearing loss for I really believe my relationship with the LORD and understanding of HIS word that has taught me to trust HIM came from HIS taking away my hearing.  A couple years back I got a Cochlear implant so I hear so much more today.  But I would never trade those years alone with GOD.

After seeing GOD work in many situations in my life, in the lives of many in my family and friends, and throughout one Bible episode after another where what I would consider terrible situations the LORD used to do something REMARKABLY good. Just one example is the Crucifixion of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, without which we could not be saved.

Therefore, I have come to realize that the LORD with HIS great wisdom and foreknowledge of all things sees things vastly different than I do.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

MY thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. And MY ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so MY ways are higher than your ways and MY thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Therefore, I have learned how limited I am in knowing what is best so consult the LORD even in how I should pray rather than go with my own ideas.  In this I obey HIS word.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek HIS will in (talk over with HIM) ALL you do (even prayer), and HE will show you which path to take.Do not be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7 NLT)

After talking with the LORD, sometimes I am given a go ahead, a word, direction or a verse that shows me how to pray. Other times there is a definite DO NOT pray that way, and still other times I get nothing, nothing at all even though I have asked.

It is at those times I most rejoice in the ONE who edits my prayers.

…the SPIRIT helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the SPIRIT HIMSELF intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).

We can make our own plans (according to what we think is right), but the Lord gives the right answer (Proverbs 16:1 NLT).

So

Commit your actions (including prayers) to the Lord, and your plans (prayers) will succeed (Proverbs 16:3 NLT).

And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE hears us: And IF we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM (1 John 5:14-15) 

Hugs

Sharon

Why did JESUS feel shame?

Something seems left unsaid as I hear about JESUS’s crucifixion.  Why isn’t the anguish of having all sin laid on JESUS mentioned?

It is written that when healing physical problems JESUS literally FELT what it took to heal each one for virtue/power went out of HIM to bring healing.  This struck me forcefully as a young Christian reading through the Bible for the 1^st time.

When I read, HE (JESUS) “was touched with the FEELING of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15) I thought, “HE doesn’t know what I go through with PMS.”  Immediately, I remembered or I should say (John 14:26) the HOLY SPIRIT reminded me a story of a woman with an issue of blood that I had read in the gospels. When she touched the hem of JESUS garment, JESUS actually felt the drain of power to heal her leave HIS body (Mark 5:30).  I realized at that moment “Yes, JESUS does know how I feel.”

That is why I am so perplexed at what is not said as to the cause of shame JESUS FELT on the cross and why HE despised it.

GOD hates sin: “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity… (Habakkuk 1:13)

JESUS is GOD (John 1:1-3, 14) therefore JESUS also hates sin. With their awesome foreknowledge the GODHEAD knew before creating a choice creation (mankind) would sin. JESUS who hated sin therefore had taken counsel with GOD the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT and they agreed to a plan to cleanse mankind from sin before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8) therefore before there was a man.  What was the purpose?  Romans 8:29 gives us a glimpse-  so that JESUS would be the first of many brethren.

Though JESUS hates sin it is written, “For HE (GOD the FATHER) made HIM (JESUS) to be sin for us, (HE) who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Surely HE (JESUS) bore our griefs and carried our sorrows: (Isaiah 53:4) the Lord laid on HIM (JESUS) the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6) HE (GOD) shall see of the travail of HIS (JESUS) soul and shall be satisfied: by HIS (JESUS) knowledge shall MY righteous servant justify many; for HE shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11).

When all the sin of mankind was laid on JESUS on the cross, HE experienced the shame of each of those sins and the guilt. Next to that even the horrendous pain of being nailed to the cross and even the shame of hanging naked pales. It wasn’t merely the shame of hanging on the cross naked and being mocked but the unimaginable shame our LORD JESUS must have felt for the sins laid on HIM.  It is written that it caused our LORD JESUS deep travail/ anguish (Isaiah 53:11).

HE didn’t have to so why did JESUS endure it?  For the JOY of what HE was achieving for us HE endured it all (Hebrews 12:2).  What an amazing Savior we have. Let’s just praise HIS name! 

Hugs

Sharon