Just like

Has someone wronged you?  Even if you have forgiven that one, do thoughts of those wrongs come unexpectedly into your mind and bring you grief/ torment?

JESUS, the eternal Word of GOD (John 1:1-4), took on a body and came to earth (John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-8) to reveal to us what GOD is really like (John 14:7, 9), to bring mankind forgiveness through paying for their sins and give them eternal life with GOD/ HIMSELF (John 3:16), to destroy the works of the devil the author of sin (1 John 3:8) and more.  JESUS’ eternal sonship was how JESUS lived out HIS life not even speaking a word unless the FATHER told HIM to.

We were adopted, reborn into the family of GOD when we believed/ received/ accepted/ trusted JESUS (John 1:12-13) to save us. Now our sonship to GOD should control our lives just as JESUS’s sonship controlled JESUS. JESUS was the express image of the invisible GOD (Hebrews 1:3) and we are told to be holy as HE (GOD) who has called us is holy (1 Peter 1:15).

JESUS was all about forgiveness. Forgiveness was not a side issue to HIM. Forgiveness was HIS purpose and even on the cross JESUS prayed to GOD the FATHER for those who either crucified or mocked HIM hanging on the cross, “Forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

In answering HIS disciples about how often one must forgive, JESUS spoke, setting the parameters as concerning the Kingdom of Heaven and those that belong to it (those children of GOD through faith in JESUS) in Matthew 18:21-35. JESUS said, “It is like this (and JESUS proceeded to tell a parable and its conclusion baffled me for years until I read it again Saturday morning).

A summary of that parable:

Since JESUS said “it is like the Kingdom of heaven” we know that this pertains only to believers in JESUS who have been transferred into the eternal Kingdom of JESUS by GOD the FATHER when they believed/ trusted in JESUS to save them from their sins (Colossians 1:13) and were born into the Family of GOD through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT (John 1:12-13, 3:5-7).

A man owed HIS master a huge amount of money.  The Master said “pay up!” the servant could not and begged HIS master to give him time (Called on the name of the LORD and was saved Romans 10:9-10, 13).  The compassionate Master completely forgave him and wiped out the man’s entire debt. 

That man who had just been forgiven went to a fellow who owed him a small amount money and said, “pay up!” when that fellow could not pay and begged the man to give him time, the 1^st man would not listen and had him thrown in jail.  Others saw what had happened and went and told the Master.  The Master became furious.

The Master called the man HE had forgiven and said, “I forgave you and so you should have had compassion and forgiven the one who owed you, just as I had pity on you. Then the Master delivered him to the TORMENTORS until he paid for all that was due.

That blew my mind. The context clearly declares this speaks of those who are in the Kingdom of heaven.  They have accepted the love gift of GOD the FATHER who sent HIS SON that all who believed in the SON would have eternal life (John 3:16).  They believed in JESUS and GOD the FATHER “has delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of HIS dear SON” (Colossians 1:13).  These are eternally saved people and GOD the FATHER is turning one over to the tormentors.  What can this mean? 

SPOILERs alert: I am NOT saying one can lose their salvation.  All who BELIEVE/ TRUST in JESUS have eternal life with GOD the FATHER and JESUS (John 3:16, 36, 17:3), just as all who REFUSE GOD’s gift of HIS SON have eternal death in the everlasting lake of fire which is called the 2^nd death (Revelation 20:10, 14-15).

So back to my question.  What does it mean that GOD the FATHER turns one who became HIS child through faith in JESUS (John 1:12-13) over to the tormentors until he paid his debt?

Probably, I recognized the answer this time around when I read this illustration because the day before we studied our life group GOD the FATHER’s role of discipline/ child raising of all who have been born children of GOD.  GOD the FATHER disciplines all HE accepts and loves in Hebrews 12:4-11 and 1 Corinthians 11:31-32.

GOD has declared that all who love HIM will be transformed (changed like a caterpillar into a butterfly) into the very nature of JESUS CHRIST who has the divine nature (Romans 8:28-29).  HE (JESUS) whose great desire drove HIM to humble HIMSELF and be made a man and bore our sins on the cross because HE loves mercy and forgiveness.

Now GOD uses what HE sends/allows to come into our lives to achieve that transformation in us (Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:15-17). As we are told in Genesis 50:20 what the enemy means for evil, GOD uses for good to help many. Besides changing us, our struggles/ discipline somehow will bring GOD glory.

If we have forgiven one who has sinned against us yet unbidden thoughts of wrongs against us come into our minds it is a test/ temptation.  We just need to REFOCUS by taking those thoughts to JESUS, submitting ourselves to GOD and resisting the devil’s taunts (James 4:7, 2 Corinthians 10:5) like JESUS did by quoting scripture to him (Matthew 4:3-11).

Now when we have not forgiven, the HOLY SPIRIT convicts us (John 16:8) and we confess, GOD will forgive us and will not need to discipline us (1 John 1:9, 1 Corinthians 11:31).  But when we are convicted but don’t pay attention then GOD must discipline us in order to turn us to do right.  This discipline can get very grievous (1 Corinthians 11:32, Hebrews 12:11).  If we keep refusing to listen, then the discipline gets harder and harder just as when we discipline our children. 

But note: the purpose of the discipline is so that we won’t be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32) but that it will produce the divine character of righteousness in us (Hebrews 12:11)..

Remember Peter? GOD allowed Satan to sift him as wheat. (Luke 22:31) I would compare that to turning him over to the tormentors. And when there is unforgiveness in our lives we have torment when we think of the wrongs against us. When Peter learned his lesson GOD used Peter mightily, just as HE will use any once they learn through discipline. 

So, I saw that it was out of LOVE for one of HIS blood bought children that a stubborn child is turned over to the tormentors. 

There are some I pray for those who have been turned over to the tormentors.  I pray 1 John 5:16 for them, knowing that if they believe/ trust in JESUS they have not committed the sin that leads to death.  John 3:36, 2 Thessalonians 2:10 and Revelation 20:15 show us that only those refuse JESUS offer of forgiveness have committed that sin that leads to death.  That sin is called blaspheme against the HOLY SPIRIT because when one refuses the conviction of the HOLY SPIRIT that leads to faith in JESUS there is no other way to be saved (Matthew 12:31, Luke 12:10).

Hugs

Sharon

HE has a name

The word Allah is the Arabic word for GOD. Therefore, the Islamic GOD does not have a name.

Unlike the GOD of Islam, our GOD gave HIS people a covenant name by which to speak of HIM and call upon HIM as well as explain HIS nature. The name of our GOD is YAHWEY(sometimes pronounced Jehovah, written in the Old testament as the LORD-all caps).  By this name YAHWEY, GOD announced HIMSELF as the great I AM- the One Who IS, and it is because HE IS that everything else is.

YAHWEY is the reality behind all reality, the underlying cause of all.  HIS name proclaims HIM as self-existent, sovereign and wholly free from constraint by or dependent on anything outside of HIMSELF.

Yet the GODHEAD (YAHWEY) exists in 3 persons.

John 1:¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD ² The same was in the beginning with GOD. ³ All things were made by HIM (JESUS); and without HIM was not anything made that was made (see also Hebrews 1:1-2). ¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh (JESUS), and dwelt among us, (and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only Begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth.

From John 1:1-3, 14 we clearly see that JESUS is equally GOD with the FATHER.  Colossians 2:9 tells us “that in HIM (CHRIST) dwells the fullness of the GODHEAD bodily.” For of the 3 persons of the GODHEAD only JESUS has a body (Philippians 2:7), HE took that on HIMSELF through the virgin Mary so HE could come and in all ways be made like us (Hebrews 2:17-18) to live among us to show us what GOD is really like, and then die to save us that we might be forgiven and become the children of GOD (Colossians 2:13-14, John 1:12-13, 1 John 3:1-2).

 In JESUS’ command to the disciples in Matthew 28:19 we see the HOLY SPIRIT is also equally GOD. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME (singular) of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the Holy GHOST (SPIRIT).

YAHWEY is unchanging (Malachi 3:6) therefore HE is consistent in everything HE does.  But we can’t always know what HE is doing for YAHWEY tells us in Isaiah 55:^{8 “}For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, saith the Lord. ⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways, and MY thoughts than your thoughts.”

In other words, GOD thinks differently than we do.  But when we cannot understand what HE is doing or allowing we can hold on to what we do know is true about HIM.  That is why we need to search the scripture to find out what HE is like. 

Some of the things that help me trust GOD when everything seems wrong are: GOD knows all things (including what everyone will do before they do it Psalm 139). GOD is merciful (Lamentations 3:22-23). GOD forgives believers in JESUS when we confess our sin (1 John 1:9). GOD is sovereign and does nothing without a good reason (Lamentations 3:37, Ezekiel 14:23). GOD has preset the exact times and places for specific purposes (Acts 17:26-27). GOD is fair (Genesis 18:25). HE will not leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). GOD is unchanging (Malachi 3:6). GOD works all things together for an end result of good for those who love HIM (Romans 8:28). What GOD says, HE will do (Numbers 23:19). Both my troubles and HIS discipline of me are achieving awesome things for me (2 Corinthians 4:15-18, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 12:11).  GOD has an eternal plan.

Isaiah 46:⁹ Remember the former things of old: for I am GOD, and there is none else; I am GOD, and there is none like ME, ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, MY counsel shall stand, and I will do all MY pleasure: ¹¹ Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes MY counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

We can trust our GOD, HIS name is YAHWEY!

hugs

Sharon

Be Merciful as GOD is Merciful

O what a beautiful LORD’s Day.  I had a delightful walk in the cool of early morning after feeding the birds  and squirrels  .  It began to sprinkle just a mite as I was finishing up my rich quiet

 time out back, so quickly grabbed up my Bible, journal and coffee cup and dashed into the house.

This morning during our time together the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY answered my cry to know how to pray for my children and their children and their children who have been deceived by the lies of this world. As GOD often does, the HOLY SPIRIT brought Bible verses to my mind to answer my question.

Eve sinned but was deceived with consequences, but a promise of mercy is given to women stating they can be saved from passing on their sin nature if they act correctly (1 Tim 2:14-15). On the other hand, Adam, who was not deceived but sinned knowing the truth (1 Timothy 2:14) has passed on the sin nature to all humans, so all die physically (1 Corinthians 15:22).

As horrible as his crimes were, Paul received mercy because he acted in ignorance (1 Timothy 1:13).

Luke 12:47-48 shows those who have been deceived by the culture and know not what right is are not as responsible as those who know what to do.

In John 9:41 JESUS told the Pharisees, “if you were blind you should have no sin.”

Then Lamentations 3:22-23 came to mind. Ah the mercy of our GOD. Don’t you love the song:  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 YOUR faithfulness o LORD, great is YOUR faithfulness!

And I knew how I was to pray. I was to ask for mercy, confessing their sin 1 John 5:16 and asking GOD to expose the lies and give them light. I love it that GOD lays on our hearts what HE wants us to pray for (Philippians 2:13) and then gives us great joy when HE answers those prayers.

Does that mean that those things will always happen even if we do not pray? NO!  GOD says, “You have not because you ask not!” (James 4:2)

Coming in out of the sprinkles, I checked my texts and found one I needed to answer. One sent me yesterday Oops .  The answer to that text, crazy as it sounds, had to do with being merciful as our FATHER in heaven is merciful (Matthew 18:23-35).  (Just additional confirmation on how to pray!)

Hugs

Sharon

It is staggering

I come to YOU in the name of JESUS.  Oh LORD GOD, there is none like YOU. YOU are Almighty and eternal and yet YOU constantly think about me (Psalm 139:1-4, 17-18) and not just me but all who do  or will reach out for forgiveness and life through JESUS CHRIST (John 3:16).

It staggers my imagination as I see each of YOUR amazing attributes enhancing and enriching every other thing true about YOU.  YOUR love even of the variety is everywhere in YOUR Creation from flowers to fish and frogs and trees and people.  Even YOUR wrath against destructive wickedness is actually part of YOUR great love to protect YOUR children.  I know from YOUR Word that is why struggles come that we might be purified and set free from all that is harming us.

YOUR mercies are new every morning and I am excited for a new beginning this day and want to step into what is ahead with boldness and confidence. 

But in all honesty, I can’t just think about me, for as YOU fully know my heart aches for dear ones.  It is not their struggles, for from YOUR word I have learned the problems are for our good, they are cleansing and produce what YOU want done (2 Corinthians 4:15-17, James 1:2-4).  But do all my seed and others I know have JESUS and thus been given the eternal oil of the HOLY SPIRIT so they will be ready when JESUS comes for HIS Church?

LORD, YOU alone can show us where we are at and give repentance (turn us to see truth) to the acknowledging of the truth.  I know the next step must be ours to go with the light YOU give or turn back to the darkness.  YOU know what it will take to open our eyes and hearts.  LORD have YOUR way in us.

Search me and them O GOD expose anything standing in the way and blocking our hearing YOU and anything that will stumble us.  Refresh our hearts with a word and an awareness of YOUR Presence.  Just as YOU promise Heavenly Father, please direct our thoughts to the next step we are to take and then when that is done to the next (Philippians 2:13, and Proverbs 3:5-7).  My eyes are on YOU as I cry out for me and my children and those who will believe, for YOU are good and all things are possible for YOU.

Stop and smell the roses

An old saying goes, stop and smell the roses.  It alludes to the truth that we need to stop and enjoy the little things GOD gives us along the way.  They lift our spirits and give us joy even in hard times.

Praise the LORD for HE is good! HIS mercy endures forever. 2 Chronicles 7:6

As you know there has been struggle upon struggle for us and many others, today at just the right time GOD (GOD is never late) sent an answer to a couple of the problems and set our hearts singing in hope for the other situations.

GOD tests our hearts ( 1 Thessalonians 2:4).  The bible tells us that these tests/ struggles are for our good and ultimately will bless us.  HE has reasons to test our hearts either proactively or by allowing the enemy to test us.  Here are 3 of the reasons and each of them are for our good.

1)GOD tests me to show me what is in my heart and to humble me (Deuteronomy 8:2).  Cause I don’t know what lurks within.

2)The LORD tests me to refine me and get the worthless things hidden within me to come out in the open/ to surface so that HE might skim them off and purify me (Psalm 66:10).

3)GOD tests me to develop and mature me so that I am ready to handle what HE has for me (James 1:2-4).

What a time of rejoicing when a test is over!  So, I am stopping to smell the fragrance of HIS love.

Hugs Sharon

When I don’t measure up

Some days I just don’t measure up.  Do you have days like that?

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy….Like as a father pities his children, so the LORD pities them that fear HIM.  For HE (GOD) knows our frame (what we are like); HE remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:8, 13-14).

I love that the LORD knows our weaknesses and pities us so that in HIS amazing mercy HE takes action to help us when we are struggling. One day I was in a pit, discouraged, really, really downcast.  I had gotten distracted by circumstances hitting us me and my family from several directions. I was helpless, they were things that I could do absolutely nothing about.  My focus blurred, slid off GOD’s sovereign control and onto the troubles all around.

GOD in HIS great pity and boundless mercy sent me a messenger that day to redirect and encourage me.

Sitting on my porch swing, focusing on the newest crisis, a praying mantis landed on my shoulder, and just stayed there in a praying pose but with his head cocked looking directly at me. As if to say, “Shouldn’t you pray too?”

Now the praying mantis is quite the character. Try to sneak up on a praying mantis, and you may be startled when it looks over its shoulder at you. No other insect can do it but the Praying Mantis have a flexible joint between the head and prothorax that enables them to swivel their heads. This ability, along with their rather humanoid faces and long, grasping forelegs, single them out as a cartoon figure though they are not.

As the Praying Mantis just sat there in his praying pose, I didn’t want to move for I had never seen a real live Praying Mantis before.  I had to smile at my GOD’s sense of humor and delightful creation as well as HIS ways for by sending me the little messenger HE turned my thoughts back to my loving GOD and Savior. 

As I spoke to GOD thanking HIM for HIS gentle faithfulness in sending this special gift, the little green sticklike messenger, whose pose reminded me to look to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY Creator, great peace flooded over me. Refocusing, my perspective of the situations changed as the defeating thoughts (lies fed me by the enemy) fled. For if you look to (submit to) GOD, the devil will flee from you (James 4:7).

To this day just thinking of my heavenly messenger, makes me smile and thank GOD for HIS loving faithful mercy to me.

Do you listen to the messages that GOD sends your way?

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

Hugs

Sharon

Clinging

“Those who cling to worthless (worldly) idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs” (Jonah 2:8 EHV)

“All who worship worthless (worldly) idols turn from the God who offers them mercy” (CEV)

And yet another translation states “They who keep their focus on empty delights turn their backs on all the mercies waiting for them from the LORD”

The LORD says, “Call unto ME in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.”

What are you, what am I holding on to that keeps us from seeking GOD with all our hearts?

Hmmmm

hugs,

Sharon

How many chances?

How many? Facebook reminded me that while talking to my LORD 6 years ago concerning a prodigal I love, I asked, “How many 2nd chances (new beginnings) are there, LORD?”

JESUS answered immediately and simply:” 70 times 7” (an idiom meaning= times without number.)

Wow! It’s nothing new but what a refreshing reminder!

When Peter asked JESUS that same question (Matthew 18:22) he put a number by it… 7 times… and he was really being generous for the Rabbinical rule (taken from Amos 1:6) stated that you were to forgive 3 times period.

But JESUS took the question out of the sphere of the law—(what must be done) and transferred it into the realm of grace where there is always mercy and grace it help in times of need. A realm where nothing is impossible.

So until time is no more, (and that day is fast approaching)if you but go to GOD you will find another chance.

Hugs
Sharon