All things

I love to teach, but I can only teach that which GOD has taught me. HE promises to teach us (Isaiah 50:4, Isaiah 29:26, 29).

Years ago when I was just learning about spiritual warfare I fell asleep on the couch and while asleep I felt like I was being strangled and pushed further and further down. I remember saying, “I can’t , I can’t” (meaning that whatever was taking my life was stronger than I was). But all of a sudden from deep within me (John 7:38-39) came the words “I can do all things through CHRIST which strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)” Immediately I was released from the stranglehold and wide awake.

That taught me the reality of 2 things, 1) spiritual warfare is real and 2) the HOLY SPIRIT within me will lead me to victory. HE is the one who spoke through me, “I can do all things through CHRIST with strengthens me.”

Excited for all GOD has done for me, especially loving me and giving me JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT!

Hugs

Sharon

Struggles

Are you or a loved one struggling in some way today?

All around us are people struggling with sickness, financial problems, some from things just thrown at them and others suffering from the consequences of poor choices.  We too struggle.  Regardless of the cause, GOD has given a great and precious promise (2 Peter 1:4) for those who seek HIM and HIS righteousness.

“But the GOD of all grace, who hath called us unto HIS eternal glory by CHRIST JESUS, after you have suffered awhile, will make you perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).

Isn’t it amazing that GOD HIMSELF promises to get us through our struggles, enable us to grow, establish us in the truth, strengthen us to cope and/ or resist temptations that bombard us and to settle us so we aren’t confused by the pressures and lies of this world.

I asked my class on Monday night why must we struggle awhile before GOD does it?  One gal, who has struggled much, instantly blurted out: “To show us that we are NOT in control.” 

Wow!  Out of the mouths of babes comes deep truth. JESUS said, “I thank Thee O FATHER, LORD of heaven and earth, because YOU have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25).

That is so true, but ever since the garden and our ancestors ate of that tree of knowledge of good and evil, we humans think we know best.  So part of restoring a believer into the image of JESUS (Romans 8:29) (WHO though HE is the exact representation of GOD the FATHER and through WHOM GOD the FATHER made the worlds and all in them (Hebrews 1:2) did nothing (not one thing) that GOD the FATHER did not tell JESUS to do or say-John 14:10) is to teach us that we are not in control/ or masters of our own fate.

“O LORD I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

That is why we are told, “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path.  Be not wise in your own eyes” (Proverbs 3:5-7a)

 I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding and keep you from deception (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

The third reason

This holiday season is known for an abundance of goodies and the result is often eating and drinking too, too much. I determine to say no to too much but somehow end up saying yes. The result is unwanted weight, tight clothes and sometimes a stomach and a headache.

Then, if I decide I need to go on a diet, what do you think my 1st thoughts are of? Yep, you are right. I think of food. Why is that? For years we lived in bondage to our old sin nature serving the prince of the power of the air, the devil (Ephesians 2:2). It is like a person who becomes addicted to drugs. What began as pleasure has become a task master that enslaves and controls him. But it’s not hopeless for there is a GOD of hope who has sent a Deliverer.

“And she shall bring forth a son and you shall call HIS name JESUS for HE shall save HIS people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Laying HIS glory aside, JESUS, truly GOD, through whom all things were made that were made (Hebrews 1:2) took on the very nature of a servant, was given a human body and born a babe in Bethlehem. This same ONE became obedient even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). HE did it all for you and for me.

We think of Matthew 1:21 speaking of two things: JESUS birth and death to save us from the just punishment of our sins. But I think it speaks of 3 things.

1-Yes, HE was born, HE who is the radiance of GOD the FATHER’s glory and the exact representation of the Divine essence (Hebrews 1:3) When JESUS came down from heaven to the earth, HE showed us what GOD is really like. Hebrews 1:1 says it is through JESUS that GOD is speaking to us. If you want to know more about GOD the FATHER/ or GOD the Holy SPIRIT then just look at JESUS- GOD the Son and YOU will find the answers.

2-Yes, JESUS came to die. HE became obedient even to the death on the cross (Philippians 2:8) that HE might be the sacrifice for sin. I accepted JESUS as my Savior and my sins are washed away! Have you?

But HE didn’t come just to show us what GOD is like and to take the punishment for our sins.

3-JESUS came to set us free from the power our sins have over us. You and I both have areas of weakness. Everyone does. JESUS came to give us all we need to overcome those weaknesses. Through HIS great and precious promises (by using them) we gain power to do right (2 Peter 1:4).

But HOW? It is called the simplicity that is in Christ JESUS. When you are tempted, when there is a struggle within, run to JESUS; tell HIM all about it and HE will understand- for in all ways HE was tempted as you are yet never sinned (2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 4:14-16). He will give you grace (that is whatever it is that you need) to help in your time of need.

Basically, it works this way for me. I am aware that I need to do one thing. If I set out to do whatever I know I am supposed to do I am empowered to obey. I may not want to but if I keep the goal of walking with JESUS before me I will do it. When I feel I am too weak I will speak aloud a promise personalized such as, “I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), “I can overcome them because greater is HE who is in me than he (the tempter) that is in the world” (1 John 4:4) or “if you have done it to the least of these MY brethren, you have done it to ME” (Matthew 25:40). The more I choose to do this, and it is a choice, the easier it becomes. For the more time I spend with JESUS in HIS word and prayer and obedience, the more I think and act like HIM (2 Corinthians 3:18, Hebrews 5:14).

I love those words “call HIS name JESUS for HE shall save HIS people (those who believe in HIM) from their sins.” My sins were paid for and now I am forgiven, and when I look to HIM GOD enables/empowers me to be an overcomer so that my weaknesses no longer control me.

Once I come to JESUS, even when I don’t look to JESUS, GOD is faithful to HIS decree that every believer in JESUS will be conformed to the image of JESUS (Romans 8:29). So, GOD works within me to make me willing; but it is through hard stuff like discipline (1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:11).

Consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

A Sacrifice?

Today my pastor’s wife gave her testimony about being a living sacrifice. Why should we be a living sacrifice?

Seeing a glorious sunrise or sunset worship rises within me as I am confronted with the majesty and glory of GOD. Seeing the power of a raging storm I think of how JESUS said “hush be still” and the wind and the waves became calm (Matthew 8:24-27) and I have seen that power as HE has helped me in my times of weakness. Overwhelmed when not knowing what I should do, all I need is a glimpse of GOD’s wisdom in things HE has made from the mosquito with properties science can’t duplicate, the bee’s cross pollination so we could have fruits and veggies, or the DNA found in a single cell and I’m confident that HE can and will guide me in the way I am to go. Seeing truths about the LORD as I read HIS word glaringly expose areas when I fall short and need HIS forgiveness and help to change. Although it was over 60 years ago I saw GOD’s love in sending JESUS to die that I might live and confessed JESUS was LORD. Still to this very day I stand amazed at HIS love and the cost HE was willing to pay that I might be HIS.

“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an OFFERING, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:4-9)

JESUS was the OFERING that paid the price required for my sin, so what can I offer?

“..by the mercies of GOD present your bodies (for GOD to use to do HIS work) as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto GOD, which is your reasonable service “ (Romans 12: 1).

That is a lifestyle of giving up your rights and acknowledging GOD in everything and letting HIM direct your every step and word. Why should we do it? Because of HIS great mercies to us, the greatest being our salvation from sin and death, it is a small thing, a reasonable thing to ask.

But bear in mind that it’s not a one-time thing to OFFER yourself as a living sacrifice, for even the Apostle Paul said he had to get on the altar as a living sacrifice DAILY (1 Corinthians 15:31). But for you and me it may have to be even more often than that for whenever self rises up wanting its way we fall off the altar.

Think on these things and may GOD give you understanding.

Looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2).

Hugs

Sharon

 

Looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2).

Hugs

Sharon

In the Battle

“Greater is HE that is in you, than he (the devil) that is in the world” 1 John 4:4

As a young Christian I was eager to learn all I could. One evening I had come home from a week of meetings on spiritual warfare and lay down on the couch and fell asleep. I felt something was pushing me down and suffocating me. I clearly remember thinking I can’t, I can’t (and meaning that I couldn’t fight it off). But from deep within me came the words, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Immediately, the pressure was gone and I was awake.

The HOLY SPIRIT within me fought the battle with the word of GOD.

When you accepted JESUS as your Savior, you may not have realized it but you stepped onto a battlefield. GOD’s enemy Satan doesn’t like anyone joining with GOD so when someone believes in JESUS and is born into GOD’s family (John 1:12), the devil attacks. Ours is a spiritual war, but it’s every bit as real as one carried on with guns and grenades. Yet GOD promises to equip us for everything HE has for us to do and that includes the battle. Ephesians 6:10-18 tells of the armor GOD has given us so the enemy cannot take advantage over us and tells of our two offensive weapons, the Word of GOD (Ephesians 6:17) and prayer (Ephesians 6:18). Then in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 GOD explains that the battle is for the mind where Satan feeds us lies and gets us to doubt GOD’s truth just as he did with Eve in the garden in the beginning of time.

Just as a soldier has to learn how to handle his gun and practice hitting the target, so we need to get to know our Bibles and talk often with our GOD in prayer. As we are in the Word of GOD the HOLY SPIRIT teaches us to recognize truth so that when the enemy hits us with lies we can know something just isn’t right. And as a soldier gets orders according to the planned strategy of his commander, so the commander of the LORD’s armies tells us how to counter the enemy’s attacks.

I believe GOD desires HIS people to wake up and be alert for the enemy is on the prowl, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Our major weapons are GOD Word and prayer and those same two items (the Word of GOD and prayer) are also the means GOD usually uses to give us our assignments along with the nudges HE gives by placing within us the desire to do what HE wants done (Philippians 2:13).

So, you can see how very important it is to study the Word of GOD and talk to our LORD every day.

One warning: Being the devil specializes in lies, for he is the father of lies (John 8:44) we need to carefully obey the truth. When we go against what we know is right it is like turning our back on the light and find ourselves in darkness and unable to see things clearly. When that happens the devil has a real advantage over us.

Back in 1993, I was in a large church, one involved in the beginnings of worldwide prayer movement of the 10/40 Window. Several of us, about to embark on a prayer journey to Albania, gathered during the morning service to pray. There seemed like there was a great deal of opposition one morning, and one lady proceeded, in prayer, to called bad things down on the ones causing problems. But, to call curses, or declare something bad to happen to someone is witchcraft/ using the devil’s methods and we told her so. She left in a huff.

You may think we were out of line, but let’s see what GOD says about it.GOD tells us to bless our enemies, not to curse them (Matthew 5:43-45). When HIS disciples were going to call fire down on a village, JESUS turned and rebuked them saying, “You don’t know what manner of spirit you are of” (Luke 9:54-55 KJ).

In another place JESUS explains what HE meant. In John 8:42-44 JESUS said that our actions show who is controlling us (or who is our father). If we have the fruit of the SPIRIT flowing from us, others can see we belong to GOD, and the Spirit of GOD is leading us. But, if we use the enemy’s tactics, if we do what the world does, the origin is demonic (James 3:15), and as C.S. Lewis alluded to, we are listening to a demon’s advice.

JESUS said that if we use HIS name, GOD would give us what we ask for (John 16:33). When we pray we are to use JESUS name, but not as a magic incantation to get what we want, or think is needed. The word name is used both in the Old and New Testaments to speak of the character of a person. So, when we pray, we are to pray according to JESUS’ character (Matthew 5:44-45, Philippians 2:5-8) the things HE wants, the plans of the FATHER. That is why we follow JESUS’ example, and say, “Thy will be done” (Luke 22:42).

Every time you see the words the name of the LORD, think of the nature and character of our eternal loving GOD. When scripture says the name of the LORD is a high tower that we can run into, it speaks of GOD’s power that is faithful to protect HIS children. Using the name of the LORD, is not an incantation, or an invoking of a magic formula, but rather it’s depending on the very nature and character of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, who was and is and is to come. So, ask, but ask according to HIS nature and according to HIS plans and be quick to do what HE nudges you to do.

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