Changes, changes, changes

The great and mighty GOD, who made all things is sovereign over all (2 Samuel 7:22). HE knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) and everything in between and has shared enough with HIS children (John 1:12-13)/ us who believe in JESUS and HIS word that we can do all HE asks of us (Deuteronomy 29:29).  That is how JESUS could say, “Peace I leave with you…Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

In our troubling times we need to remember those verses so, I have those verses memorized.

Since I was teen in the late 50’s, the meanings of words have changed some, the values of the world and what is shown on TV and in movies have shifted in an unbelievable way, what is taught in public schools have changed as history and science is being rewritten to fit an agenda.  Things that are right and good are being called evil and wrong, while things bad and wrong are being called right and good just as JESUS said would happen. 

But the worst part to me are these lies, this false propaganda pushed and fed to youngsters are being believed by them and have blinded them to the truth.  Many Christian churches have followed suit and are buying into the lies as well as they turn away from the truths in GOD’s Word.

To hear some relate their views of life and values and see how closed they are to any thought other than their own shows that they are totally blind to truth and to the consequences of their beliefs. Their perspective comes from what they have been cleverly taught, programmed by teachers and the media, not so concerned with truth as with getting others to think as they do. It’s actually scary how indoctrinated the kids and even adults are with the world’s standards of self. The lust of the flesh (desires from food to sex. Whatever feels good), the lust of the eyes (wanting everything they see that they like) and the pride of life with everything about ‘me’ (How I think, how I feel, what I want, doing it my way). All are things of this world which lay under Satan’s influence (Ephesians 2:2-3,1 John 2:15-17, 5:19).

As I walked around the park talking to the LORD about these troubling things and how they are affecting some of my precious grand and great-grandchildren, a verse flooded my thoughts.

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore, you sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

This verse speaks of the LORD’s faithfulness to HIS word.  HE made promises to the Jew’s ancestors that can be read beginning in Genesis. The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY will keep everyone of HIS promises, fulfilling each detail, for HE does what HE says. HE fulfills HIS word whether to bless or discipline (Numbers 23:19).  Even when they act against HIM, HE cannot deny HIMSELF (2 Timothy 2:13).

GOD’s nature is WHO GOD is. GOD cannot deny HIS nature.  The LORD is truthful (HE  cannot lie Titus 1:2), HE is love (John 3:16), HE is power (Luke 1:37), HE is wisdom (Psalm 51:6), HE is understanding (Hebrews 4:14-15), HE is knowledge (John 16:30) HE is mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23), HE is eternity (Psalm 90:2), HE is righteousness (HE does what is right Genesis 18:25, Romans 3:21-22), HE is goodness (Mark 10:18) and HE has wrath (John 3:36) to mention just a few of the things true about GOD.

Since GOD cannot change, neither can HIS nature nor HIS standards change.  What HE has said in the past is true today.  If HE has said something is wrong in the past, it remains wrong today.

So, I will obey the LORD’s instructions to not strive with those who are opposing themselves, but gently and with respect speak the truth in love and continue to pray that GOD grant them the ability to see the truth and turn to what is right, to recover themselves and escape from the snare/ trap that has held them captive (1 John 5:16, 2 Timothy 2:24-26).

Will you join me?

Hugs

Sharon

What time is it?

So much is happening all around the world, yet we know what time period we are in, for GOD the FATHER tells us in Hebrews 1:1 that previously HE spoke to people through prophets but now in these last days HE speaks to us through HIS SON (JESUS CHRIST our LORD).

Now the (HOLY) SPIRIT speaks expressly that in the latter time (this time we are now in) will be a time of seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1).

Have you ever pondered the truth JESUS proclaimed when HE rebuked Peter declaring man’s thinking comes from Satan (Matthew 16:23)? Ephesians 2:2 also states the world’s way of thinking, its wisdom is from the prince of the power of the air working within them. The world’s thinking comes from and is what the devil thinks!

JESUS emphatically declared, “Why do you not understand MY words? Even because you cannot hear MY word.  You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do” (John 43-44)

2 Corinthians 4:³ But, if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  ⁴ In whom the god of this world (the devil) has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of CHRIST, who is the image of GOD, should shine unto them.

We become blind when we turn away from what GOD says to what Satan says. Satan’s deception of Eve, which caused her blindness, was simply telling her what he himself thought. “I will be like the Most HIGH” (Isaiah 14:14).  The devil told her, “you shall be like GOD” (Genesis 3:5).  You see HE gives men his very own thoughts, but he does not reveal his aim for he is a deceiver and a liar.

In the New Testament the Greek word, daimonia, refers to the gods of the world. It’s not surprising that this Greek word for gods in the New Testament is actually the same word translated as “demons.” There is a very important revelation here and one to be taken very seriously.

The gods of the world are embodiments and representatives of demonic beings. That doesn’t just go for ancient religions; the modern world has its gods, too. Doors are opened to the demonic in the form of materialism, alcoholism, sensuality, lust, pornography, love of money, greed, position (jealousy) and control (anger and manipulation). When you indulge in these things, you are actually worshipping and serving demons (1 Corinthians 10:21, Revelation 9:20)

That is a horrible thing! You should have nothing to do with it. Any idol is a god, and any god except for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY of the Bible is a demon. The very thought that you are serving the demonic should be enough to make you get any unclean, unholy thing or thought out of your life once and for all! There is only One True and Living God who is the source of everything good (James 1:17). Every other source is just demonic.

The natural mind, the worldly mind, is under the influence of Satan and thinks GOD’s words are foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-23). It cannot understand GOD’s words without the HOLY SPIRIT’s conviction explaining sin, what is right, and the coming judgment to them (John 16:8).  

Only GOD knows what HE is thinking.  No one, not even believers in JESUS can understand GOD’s thoughts without GOD the HOLY SPIRIT explaining them to us (1 Corinthians 2:10-14).  If you question that statement, check out Acts 1:2.

The 1^st time I really saw what Acts 1:2 said, it blew me away.  JESUS, GOD the SON, was giving the apostles, one HE had personally chosen, commandments. But only as the HOLY SPIRIT explained JESUS meaning to them, did they know what JESUS meant.  Wow!

Satan is included in that no one can understand the words of GOD (even though he knows and misquotes the bible) without GOD the HOLY SPIRIT explaining GOD’s word to him. For the devil is a created being and not GOD (1 Corinthians 2:11,14).

Although Satan is very intelligent and has thousands of years of experience, and knows man well, the devil cannot understand GOD’s plans or GOD’s Word. That is clearly shown in 1 Corinthians 2:8 “Which none of the princes (demons) of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of glory.”

I encourage you, every morning go to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and ask GOD  in JESUS name to keep you from all deception.  For we are commanded to: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Hugs

Sharon

Flies

This time of year, those annoying flies can be so irritating, that is why this comical picture and statement made me laugh.

Sitting out on my porch swing reading the Word and talking to GOD 2 pesky flies kept landing on my arm.  I’d shoo them away, but over and over they came back.  They were determined!  All of a sudden, I remembered.

The LORD of hosts (armies) is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY (Psalm 24:10) but the evil one/ the prince over the devils (Matthew 12:24) is called Beelzebub which means “lord of flies”.  This was the name used for devil worship by the Philistines.

So, do you know what I did?  I asked the LORD of hosts to rebuke the flies since they weren’t listening to me.

Thinking of flies and how dirty and germ carrying they are, and how determined they are to pester us, refusing to leave us alone, and how distracting they can be, I couldn’t help but think that really shows the nature of demons.

But the demons pester us with whispered deceptive suggestions over and over. What they say are lies from the devil they make their voice sound just like ours and unless we examine what is suggested in light of the Word of GOD we can really get in trouble.

Dead flies make perfumed oil stink, just as a little stupidity outweighs wisdom and honor” (Ecclesiastes 10:1)

But test all things carefully. Hold firmly to that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).

Hugs

Sharon

Figure out who is talking

My son John really didn’t like to play football but for me he did play one season when in Jr. High. 

In the park across the street kids of various ages from preschoolers to high school meet to practice football.  These different teams have many exercises and practices that are the same and they go over and over them until it becomes 2^nd nature.  In the same way we are to read the Bible and put in to practice the things GOD shows us.

Professional football teams also study videos of the team they are going to play against to learn about the other team. They begin to recognize certain plays so that they can anticipate and outmaneuver their opponent.

 “Lest Satan get an advantage over us, we are not ignorant of his the devil’s schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11.

Just like a football team we Christians need to know things about our opponent.   For if we don’t recognize him/ if we are ignorant of his schemes, he can and will take advantage of us.  That word advantage in this verse means to step beyond the boundary.   So you see that it is even more important for us to know our enemy’s tactics than for a football team to know their opponents  plays.  They are just playing a game, but we are in a war.

I remember a time, when I was 1st learning about spiritual warfare, when I was tempted to do something wrong.  Now I thought the temptation came from myself and so I wasn’t fighting against it much because I figured I couldn’t fight myself.  But, GOD took pity on me and I heard in my spirit the words, “It’s the battle, Sharon!”  Only then did I recognize that the temptation came from the devil not me.  When I saw that I fought against it and won. 

I was losing the battle until I knew I was dealing besides myself.  Laugh if you will but that is what happened.  After that I came to realize how very important it is to recognize the enemy.

Here are some our enemy’s ways: 

1-Satan pretends to be us so his suggestions sound like our thoughts.

2-The devil tempts us as he did JESUS and twists GOD’s word. Luke 4:1-13

3-He calls GOD a liar and says GOD is unfair, not caring or trying to keep good things back from us. Genesis 3:4,5

4-He tempt our old sin nature to love this world for the whole world lies in his arms. I John 5:19 

 a-He entices with the desires of our flesh.. food, sex, pleasures, drugs and so on suggesting that we need to live for the moment.

 b-He dangles the desire for things we see like a new car, a fancy this or that… anything that looks good to us.

 c-He stirs up our pride… or me 1st, my way, power, position and the like   

I John 2:15-16

5-He lies, actually, he is the father of lies. John 8:44

6-He whispers doubts and accusations about others and even ourselves, (and remember his words sound just like us) for he is the accuser. Revelation 12:10

7-He tries to cause division and stir up anger.

8-If we refuse to obey GOD and forgive others he takes advantage and gets a foothold in our lives.  2 Corinthians 2:10,11 Ephesians 4:26,27.

9-But the scheme of the devil I want most want to bring to light today is found in  2 Corinthians 11:3. 

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, so your minds (thoughts) may be corrupted (seduced/led astray) from the simplicity and purity that is in Christ” 2 Corinthians 11:3. 

We know that JESUS is pure and holy and our focus should be on HIM.  Hebrews 12:1-3  The enemy attempts to distract us and get us to focus on other things rather than JESUS.  He tries to corrupt our thinking from the simplicity that is in Christ we find happiness and strength for whatever comes our way.

For instance he gets people to feel that believing in JESUS isn’t able/strong enough to keep them saved.  He points out that there is a whole bunch of other things they must do.

But GOD’s word clearly states, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

What our triune GOD does is change us into the like of JESUS.  HE changes our thoughts and desires.  But it is a process often like a baby learning to walk.  And we know at first they fall more than they walk.  But they learn not only to walk but to run.

So look to JESUS for the direction and strength to do what you should.

In a practical way the simplicity of going to JESUS helps me.  Since our battle begins in the mind, we must battle wrong thoughts given us by the devil.  And then the devil mocks us for having the thoughts he placed there to begin with.  They can seem overpowering  but I have found that to win that battle and shut up the devil I don’t do the fighting.  I simply go to JESUS and say here are my thoughts.  As I take every thought to JESUS and talk to HIM about it as I am instructed (Proverbs 3:5-7; 2 Corinthians 10:5 ; Hebrews 4:16)   JESUS takes them captive and my whole perspective changes.   That battle is won.   Now the devil may give another sneak attack but all I have to do is go to JESUS.     

Don’t let the devil catch you in his snare.  Take every thought to JESUS.     

Hugs

Sharon

Roots

Walking around the park is a relaxing time of talking to and hearing  the LORD.  Today I found myself directed to focus on the skinny little but tall weeds beginning to grow on the edge of the sidewalk and grass and I felt an urge to pull them.  It had rained last night so they came up fairly easily. As I pulled and walked the LORD began explaining truth using the weeds HE had created. The seed was planted and growing there because some seed from another place flew there and found some soil.

My Creator impressed in my heart that each root, like the root of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15) symbolized a sin hatched from a lie. Each weed begins little but as the roots go down deeper in the heart actions are seen that indicate the root is there.  The longer the root remains the stronger and deeper it goes and the more obvious the resultant actions in the life.

With each weed that I gently pulled out (for I wanted all the root and not just break it off in the soil where it could start growing again), I prayed against the lies that we had believed and for the resultant sins that were creeping up in me and my loved ones.

Although the weeds I pulled, without earth to nourish them, are now wilting, you can still see a truth in my snap shot of two of them.  Look at the little one I pulled compared to the larger one.  The little one was about 3 inches above the ground with one tiny flower while the larger one, whose roots were fat and had spread, was 14-15 inches high with 18 flowers plus buds that were about to flower.  This shows the longer we allow the lies of the evil one with its lusts to grow in us the subsequent evidence will manifest more and more. 

Trying to stop the evidence (outward sin) without removing the root lie is foolish for it will just start growing again.

As with the rain last night loosening the grip of the soil, so when the water of GOD’s Word pours over a lie its grip on the soul is loosened.  Then the lies and roots of sin can be pulled out. But it must be done gently (2 Timothy 2:23-26) or it will grow again.

Prayer: I love YOU LORD and thank YOU JESUS for opening the way to come to the throne of grace that we may find mercy and receive grace to help in our times of need (Hebrews 12:16).  LORD GOD ALMIGHTY YOU are good and what YOU say is right and true.  YOUR ways and YOUR judgments are right and good. 

I confess for myself and my children and my brothers and sisters in CHRIST that as we have lived and moved in this world we have picked up the thoughts and standards surrounding us and originated by the liar (1 John 5:19).  We have come to believe lies. 

Please give us a hunger for YOUR Word, for JESUS told us that we cannot live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from YOUR mouth (Matthew 4:4).  Use YOUR Word to reveal YOUR truth to us exposing whatever lie we have believed.

Use YOUR Word to water our souls so the roots of lies are loosened. We need YOU to pull out those lies, those roots that are causing us to sin.  For without YOU we can do nothing (John 15:3-5). Nothing is too hard for YOU my GOD, that I know. 

Have YOUR way in our lives, YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done here on earth as it is in heaven- I ask in JESUS holy name.

Looking unto JESUS

Hugs

Sharon

pray

I am in shock as I hear more and more of the horrifying lies brainwashing our children from those they trust– the media and the schools and of the extent of the sex confusion and tremendous pressure bearing down on our kids. I cringe when I hear of terrorists, the persecution of Christians, the horrors done to children in wars and the sex trade and the ethnic killings I keep asking my LORD GOD how pray so that I may join HIM in this spiritual battle against the forces of evil (Romans 8:26, 34).

GOD brought a verse to my mind (Philippians 2:13). “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners and those who are mistreated as if you yourself were suffering (Hebrews 13:3).

That got me to asking myself, what would I want GOD to do for me if I was in any of these situations?

Reading of children killed by terrorists, and seeing the damage done in scaring their minds so again I cried out, “How do I join with you in prayer for these, LORD?”

What I saw in my spirit is nothing new, still I feel nudged to share. I saw and felt a calm, while all around me was a whirling storm.

I am to continue to pray for those suffering that they experience that calm that is found in the eye of a storm. like Stephen- the 1st martyr, I am to pray that they be so aware of JESUS’s presence with them that what is happening around and to them fades from view and they can see from GOD’s perspective.

Will you join with me to pray for those suffering as if you were there suffering with them? I know that if I were in the storm they are in, I would want to be with JESUS and have HIS peace fill me and lead me and see the truth unfold.

JESUS said: Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Almighty GOD I come in the name of JESUS and I thank YOU for sending us YOUR SON JESUS and for ready access to YOUR throne and YOUR great and precious promises. I know YOUR heart aches for these little ones and all persecuted as well as those caught in Satan’s snare through addiction of all kinds. I know that YOU are at work behind the scenes and that YOU have reserved a time for judging all who team with Satan to steal, kill and destroy. They choose the lies of Satan and refuse the love of the truth.

LORD I claim YOUR glorious and precious promise that YOU are working all things together for an end result of good for those who love YOU and have called out to YOU (Romans 8:28). But some don’t know YOU and others feel they have fallen too far.

LORD in YOUR great mercy and grace send forth laborers into the harvest fields so that these little ones may hear of YOU and of YOUR love and forgiveness and power and come to YOU.

Please flood them with the Holy SPIRIT awareness of JESUS so vividly that like the 1st martyr Steven all that is happening around and to them fades and their fears melt away as YOUR peace surrounds them in a calm as if they were in the eye of the storm.

I don’t understand YOUR ways, LORD, or YOUR timing but I know YOUR love. YOU sent us JESUS. I know YOUR power and wisdom for I see creation and the order and synchronization, May YOUR will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Though I don’t understand I trust YOUR love, YOUR plans and cling to YOUR promises. Help these children FATHER, help the addicts and save those wandering without a shepherd for they don’t have JESUS yet I ask in JESUS name.

Hugs
Sharon

that lie

My old peach tree was heavy laden, and it literally had over 300 small peaches. It’s branches were breaking due to the weight so I had to pick most of the peaches before they got big and ripe or lose my tree. As they ripened, I skinned and froze and even made jam (a 1st for me). Well, one heard about my jam and came to get a jar and that’s how I learned the predicament he is in. Trying to keep out of trouble he told a lie and that lie begat another and another.

It made me think of what my daddy used to say: “What a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive.” Spiders weave webs to catch their prey. But when we lie the web we weave catches us. As another put it, “Every lie will come back to bite you.”

Do you know why that is? Every lie is from that old serpent the devil (John 8:44). Through snide whispers that seem to come from us, Satan convinces us that telling that lie will help fix things or make things better. But I guarantee that the devil comes only to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) and every lie will end up biting you with its deadly poison.

When JESUS, who is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) said the devil was a liar from the beginning and the father of lies (John 8:44) HE was sketching a word picture for us. You or I am the mother and when we turn from the truth (JESUS’ way) and believe the father of lies (the devil) a baby is conceived, and a lie is born.

That sweet talking devil makes telling a lie sound so good and one thing that helps me say no to him is to realize it’s the devil hitting me with fiery darts not handing me candy. So, if you have been tricked by that liar, and we all have at one time or another, run back to JESUS who is the truth and promises to heal that snake bite by giving you forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and life in abundance. The truth will set you free (John 8:32). Trust HIM and do things HIS way.

Hugs
Sharon L Manning