What happens then?

Did you know that the leaf chewing, crawling caterpillar with multiple simple eyes dissolved in the cocoon and his body parts were used to make a totally different creature— the butterfly?  The butterfly comes out of the cocoon flying, not crawling and goes around sipping with his straw tongue the nectar of flowers and his 2 eyes are complex with thousands of facets. I think that is a hint of the fantastic changes that await us.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD has prepared for them that love HIM” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

The last 2 paragraphs of the last book of the children’s series the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.Lewis I think holds one of the most beautiful descriptions concerning what coming when a Christian dies.

“There was a real railroad accident,” Ashlan said softly “Your father and mother and all of you are, as you used to call it in the Shadow-Lands, dead.  The term is over: the holidays have begun.  The dream is ended: this is morning.”

And as he spoke he no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them.  And for us this is the end of all stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after.  But for them it was only the beginning of the real story.  All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page; now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read; which goes on forever; in which every chapter is better than the one before.

GOD has planned it all for us, isn’t HE amazing?

hugs

Sharon

HE did it again!

Once again God proved His love to me by preparing the way ahead Ephesians 2:10

Another new crisis in ‘The Scenarios of Sharon’ has me up during the night in tearful prayer. The Lord has been reminding me in this latest struggle to practicing what I preach: “Give thanks in all things for this is the will of GOD in Christ JESUS concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18). As I give, not feel, thanks peace returns.

Responsibilities and commitments have me running during the day. Today is one that is to be crammed full, so this morning in a rush I only had a few quick moments in GOD’s Word to hear HIS instructions before heading out.

Turning to Psalms, my Bible opened in Proverbs and my eyes lit on a verse. “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrong (Proverbs 19:11 NLT). Then I noticed a verse across the page. “Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor only fools insist on quarreling” (Proverbs 20:3 NLT).

Not long into the day one attempted to goad me into an argument and it seemed so funny and I had to hold back the laughter lest I add fuel to the anger of the one already stirred up.

God had prepared me in advance for this temptation and by doing so I was not pulled in.

The LORD’s acting on HIS foreknowledge of what I would encounter not only kept me out of a foolish argument but encouraged me greatly that HE is with me leading all the way plus it strengthened my faith.

Several hours later, with other particulars GOD provided what would be needed later. I didn’t know it would be needed, but it was. All was done before the fact as HE emphasized to me HE plans and acts according to HIS awesome foreknowledge.

Don’t know what lies ahead but am sure something is coming and HE is preparing me for it and promises to provide

For by confirming HE acts according to HIS foreknowledge- highlights it as one of HIS marvelous ways. Because that is true, we can know what HE says HE will do! GOD will keep HIS promises cause nothing unexpected can come up to block it. HE knows everything that lies ahead.

What a wise and mighty GOD we serve!

Looking unto JESUS the Author and Perfecter of my faith

Hugs

Sharon

Help from the heat

With this heat wave, no matter how one tries it is hard to get relief.  Yesterday, one of my girls traveling home in a jeep with no air conditioner stopped at a gas station.  Seeing stars before her eyes, she felt as though she would pass out so her daughter handed her a bottle of water that she had just purchased and Jeri opened it and poured over her head standing right there with people all around.  As the water ran down over her, drenching her from head to foot, she revived!  Praise the LORD Who always prepares in advance and provides what is needed!  All we need to do is look to HIM.

“I would seek GOD…WHO gives rain upon the earth and sends waters upon the fields” (Job 10:8, 10). And seek the LORD JESUS CHRIST who saved me by washing me from my sin with HIS very own blood (Revelation 1:5) and changes and purifies me with the washing of the water of the WORD of GOD (Ephesians 5:26).

Now this boldly beaked Toucan is the toco toucan, is a great example of GOD preparing HIS creatures for where HE places them.  This bird lives in world’s largest area of tropical wetlands, the Pantanal, which stretches across a large swath of Brazil along with parts of Paraguay and Bolivia. The weather is warm and humid, and GOD, in HIS interesting and creative way enabled the Pantanal’s wildlife to handle the sultry conditions.

The toco Toucan species has the largest beak, relative to its body, of any bird. While his big bright bill is terrific at plucking and peeling fruit, and defending against predators, its greatest use may be in regulating temperature.  The toco toucan’s lightweight keratin beak is underlain with blood vessels which help dissipate body heat. The jumbo beak serves as a kind of thermostat, cooling the toucan off in much the same way those oversize ears do for elephants.

Aren’t GOD’s colorful designs enthrallingly amazing in wise practicality as well as beauty?

Hugs

Sharon

Comforted by GOD

Those first years I got to be at the amazingly beautiful mountain setting of Camp Elim I had the joy to be both a counselor with a cabin full of rowdy girls at our camps and on staff when we did rental camps.  The young director would gather the staff together for devotions beginning with worship songs.  It was an introduction to worship music for me since my church held to the wonderful hymns in the hymnals.

Dan would have us sing songs new to that day such as, “Make me a servant,” and “YOU are my hiding place.”  To this day they and so many like them bring me into GOD’s holy presence.

Has GOD ever hidden you? Hidden you in terrible times and from people speaking words without knowledge? HE has for me. Let me tell you of just one of those times.

HE (GOD) found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness, HE encircled him and instructed him, HE kept (protected) him as the apple of HIS eye (like an eyelid protects the eye by closing). As an eagle stirs up its nest (and forces its young to leave and learn to fly), it hovers over its young, spreading its wings (to catch them if they falter), taking them up, carrying them on its wings (Deuteronomy 32:10-11).

When I learned my Daddy died, I flew out to the desert area of Lake Havasu City where he’d lived. Then hesitantly, after much whispering they told me. Dad had grown weary and had given up. He got to the point where he felt he could take the intense pain no longer.  It had been several years since his central nervous system broke down, and any movement or even a loving touch sent searing pain through him.  HE was in nonstop agony. Then one day, after placing signs to warn his beloved wife, Bethy, to stop at that spot and call the authorities, Dad hung himself.

After I was told, I couldn’t just sit there and listen as they hashed the events over and over. I had to get away from the talk, from the people, from the assumptions. I had to go talk with my LORD. Leaving the house, I began walking up and down the hilly streets. As I walked, I talked to GOD through my tears. From within came a song I’d recently heard so began singing it.  The words changed here and there as I sang the song, as the prayer it was. GOD heard and seemed to lift me up, pull me close, and hold me tight.

“Oh, SON of GOD enfold me, with the SPIRIT of YOUR love, come and fill my heart and satisfy my soul. Take all that holds me and YOUR SPIRIT like a dove, descend upon my heart and make me whole. JESUS, OH JESUS come and hold YOUR lamb, JESUS, OH JESUS come and hold YOUR little lamb.”

As in Deuteronomy 32:10-11 GOD found me in the desert, HE encircled me with HIS love, flooded me with HIS peace, and protected me from the words without knowledge, by drawing me into HIS arms, and carrying me on HIS wings.

There are times when someone is hurting and there are no words to say. I will hold them and sing softly into their ear, “O SON of GOD enfold her with the SPIRIT of YOUR love come and fill her heart and satisfy her soul ….” 

For GOD says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be GOD, even the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER of mercies, and the GOD of all comfort;WHO comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of GOD.

So, GOD is to this day using even that tragedy of decades ago to help others just as HE says HE will (Romans 8:28).

Times come that are completely out of our control.  Times of pain and helplessness when there is nothing we can do. It can be paralyzing, and we become confused not know how to cope or what to do. At those times we must cry out to GOD in our need, and HE comes to hold you and strengthen you.  In HIS time GOD will instruct us in what to do.  The LORD did it for me and HE will do it for you.

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

Hugs

Sharon

What is going on?

Remember the fire drills we had at school when we were kids? They were not to scare us but to prepare us to know how to act in case of a fire. The same is true for the warnings and prophesy given in the Bible.  When GOD had recorded what was going to be it was not to scare us but to alert us so we could discern what was going on.

We are living in crazy times aren’t we? Times that have many cowering in fear for much is happening that we never imagined seeing here in the good old USA.  But these times are told about in GOD’s word.  Reading in Luke this morning a well-known section I was struck by some facts concerning, of all things- demons (evil spirits of various ranks). It is not a popular subject, it’s one many refuse to believe.  Yet the word of GOD clearly speaks concerning our warfare with evil spiritual beings (Ephesians 6:10-18).

The HOLY SPIRIT clearly says that in later times some (being deceived) will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (1 Timothy 4:1).

Demons are real. There are things being taught in some “Christian” churches that do not match up with the Word of GOD.  It is very important to check what is taught with the Word of GOD.  We are told if something does not line up with the Word of GOD it is because there is no light (truth) in the teachers (Isaiah 8:20) they are in darkness. 

Setting the context or the stage of where we are today: The last days began when the HOLY SPIRIT was given on the Day of Pentecost (John 7:38-39, Acts 2:16-17), after JESUS had been crucified dead on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3) was buried and raised to life by GOD the FATHER (Romans 10:9), seen by over 500 (1 Corinthians 15:6) and after giving commands to HIS disciples HE ascended into heaven (Acts 1:7-9) to a position of great honor and glory seated at the right hand of the Power- the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3,13). 

The last days are marked by actions that are demonic in nature (James 3:15-16, Ephesians 2:2) and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1).

There is a power of darkness that rules the world (Ephesians 2:2-3)- when we believe in JESUS, GOD the FATHER delivers us out of that power of darkness and places us into JESUS kingdom (Colossians 1:13).  JESUS called the power of darkness a kingdom where Satan/ the devil is ruler (Luke 11:18).  The devil is sometimes called the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and the evil one persuades even believers with his lies if they are not abiding in JESUS and HIS word (John 15:7).  That old serpent (Revelation 20:2) is the father of lies (John 8:44).  Within Satan’s kingdom there are various ranks of evil spirits (Ephesians 6:12, Luke 8:29) comparable with ranks within the army-from foot soldiers to generals.

Having laid that groundwork, let’s proceed to what struck me this morning.

The demons were afraid of being tormented when Jesus told them to leave the possessed man (Luke 8:28).  That rose questions.  Does that mean that type of demon needs a body? or does it connect with their plea a few verses down not to be sent to the Abyss? 

“When the unclean spirit comes out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it then says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came. (Luke 11:24). That demon who couldn’t find a place to rest went back to the man he’d left. Finding the man clean but empty ( the man wasn’t filled with HOLY SPIRIT) went and got 7 more demons worse than himself and they all went to live in the man (Luke 11:26) making the man worse off than before.

Wow! Knowing that helps me understand why at least 2000 demons were in that poor fellow in Luke 7.  Maybe he had tried to get rid of the demon but without the coming and filling of the HOLY SPIRIT by faith in JESUS CHRIST and turning from his sins he was open game.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the SPIRIT; (Ephesians 5:18).

Demons that possess people seem to need a body.  Ones that harass and tempt people (as JESUS was tempted in the wilderness Matthew 4:1) apparently do not.

The demons begged JESUS not to send them into Abyss but to allow them to enter a herd of pigs (Luke 7:31).

That means they had to do what JESUS commanded them to do. They had to have permission before they could go into pigs.

Hmmm that raises a question.  If demons have to have permission to enter a living thing, who was it that gave them permission to enter the man? Was it the man himself who gave demons permission to enter him perhaps by giving the demons a place (KJ)/ opportunity (NASB)/ foothold (NIV) (Ephesians 4:27) and was caught in the snare of the devil to do his will (2 Timothy 2:25-26)? 

If so, how?

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves (yield to their suggestions), you are slaves of the one you obey— (Romans 6:16)…?

Something to think about isn’t it?

Hugs

Sharon

What is on GOD’s mind?

GOD’s way of doing things shows wisdom, power and foreknowledge but to us in the middle of a situation things can be baffling. Though we wonder- “Why does GOD allow the bad?” , we know from seeing the change of seasons, the stars and the flowers that GOD knows what HE is doing.

The Almighty prepared in advance a large fish to go to just the right spot to swallow HIS rebellious prophet Jonah when the sailors threw him overboard. 3 days later the fish listened and obeyed when GOD told it to spit Jonah out on dry land. After Jonah did what GOD asked, he went to sit and see the results. GOD had (prepared in advance) a vine miraculously to grow up over Jonah to give him shade and comfort him. But in the morning GOD had prepared a worm to kill the plant that gave Jonah shade, and did it ever make Jonah mad. Yet, since we have the book of Jonah, I am pretty sure Jonah learned what GOD was teaching him for who but someone humble would tell such things about himself? (Jonah 1:17, 2:10, 4:5-11).

Then Elijah had just done a difficult task and gave warning to a people and had to be hidden or would be killed. So, the Prophet (who obeyed GOD implicitly and would never eat anything unclean), was told to go to a stream and have a raven (an unclean bird) deliver his meals and although delivered by an unclean bird Elijah ate them. Now the raven faithfully did what GOD told him and brought Elijah bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening (1 Kings 17:2-4).

Crazy as they sound these stories are true and one thing they show us is GOD knows what is coming and plans in advance for all the details to fall into place..

It also shows us that animals and birds listen to and obey GOD. Would that we would be as quick to listen to, trust and serve our King who died for us.

Another thing it shows is GOD protects and provides for HIS people.

During this present Coronavirus crisis, have we put GOD into the equation? Are you, am I as quick as that fish and bird to listen to and trust our LORD the Creator of Heaven and Earth to direct, protect and provide for us?

Hugs

Sharon