Don’t leave GOD out!

A friend contacted me in a panic.  She had heard something on the media that freaked her out.  What she heard may very well be true, I don’t really know but I do know that she left GOD out of the picture. She forgot JESUS promises.  We can really get into a lot of trouble when we leave the LORD out of the equation.

“Let not your heart be troubled (don’t allow an outside source to stir you up).  You believe in GOD, believe also in ME” (John 14:1).

“…for HE (JESUS) said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. So that we may boldly say, The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

At times life can seem overwhelming.  Perhaps, like I have done in the past, you are trying to take on, by yourself, something you were never meant to handle on your own.

But we don’t have to do that.  GOD encourages us, “come boldly unto the throne of grace (pray), that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to HELP in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

  
Look unto JESUS the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

PRAYER: LORD, thank YOU that YOU are always with me and are willing to help but want me to ask. YOU have not let me go. I am still in the palm of YOUR mighty hand and YOU will fulfill YOUR purpose for me just like YOU promised YOU will do. I pray in JESUS name (character and purposes) Amen.

Topsy-turvy world

In this topsy turvy world we live in where right is said to be wrong and wrong is touted as right TRUSTING in the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, Creator of heaven and earth is essential to having peace of mind and clarity of direction.

JESUS said, “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in GOD, believe also in ME” (John 14:1).  Then 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 paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Easier said than done?  Do you find TRUSTING hard?  It does NOT come naturally but is a choice we must make.  As my friend Jacky Manchester said: “TRUSTING GOD is an exercise, you learn to do it by choosing to do it. And the more you do it (TRUST GOD), the more you can do it (TRUST GOD), for your eyes become able to see GOD at work.” 

Just as you learn to play the piano but choosing to practice and practice, so TRUSTING becomes easier and easier as we choose to TRUST GOD.

TRUSTING is a choice not a feeling.  We have plenty of opportunities to practice TRUSTING GOD what with inflation, the wars between Russia and the Ukraine, ongoing drone and rocket attacks in the Middle East and China toward Taiwan, significant access to gas being shut down to Europe, earthquakes, heat waves in some places while floods carry herds of sheep away in Iran, plus a resurge of Covid and an additional rise of Monkeypox.  

Aren’t you glad we who believe in JESUS are in the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’s hands?  HE promises to be our hiding place.

TRUST in HIM at all times; you people, pour out your heart before HIM: GOD is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalm 62:8).

And we must choose to TRUST GOD and HIS Word so we can be a light in the darkness to those who need to find JESUS. Praying scripture out loud helps me TRUST GOD.

Be merciful unto me, O GOD, be merciful unto me: for my soul TRUSTS in YOU: yes, in the shadow of YOUR wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast (Psalm 57:1).

YOU are my hiding place; YOU will preserve me from trouble; YOU will compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah (Just think on that!) (Psalm 32:7).

YOU are my hiding place and my shield: I hope (am confident) in YOUR Word (Psalm 119:114).

Yes, LORD YOU are my Provider and “What time I am afraid I will TRUST in YOU” (Psalm 56:3).

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

hugs

Sharon

HE feels it

Ever felt, “Nobody knows or understands what I am going through?”  Believe it or not, the truth is that is not so.

For we have not a High Priest (JESUS) who cannot sympathize with (literal Greek=suffers with us) our weaknesses, but was in ALL points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Therefore (because JESUS feels/ suffers our weaknesses with us) let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain (get) mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15 NKJV parentheses added).

Doesn’t that blow your mind that JESUS feels how we are feeling?

Isaiah 63:9 says “in all their affliction HE was afflicted”

Think about your struggles, your temptations, your hurts and when others misunderstand you.  In all of that and more JESUS feels with us.

That puts so much more emphasis on JESUS words, that what we do to others we do to HIM (Matthew 25:40).

Since JESUS knows us so well and feels everything that touches, that is why HE can say in HIS word the Bible,  “Wherefore HE (Jesus) is able also to save them (us) to the uttermost that come unto GOD by HIM, seeing HE ever lives to make intercession for them (us)” (Hebrews 7:25).

So next time you are troubled, hurt or tempted remember JESUS not just understands but feels your perplexity, hurt and struggle. Call out to HIM.  For HE delivers those who call on HIS name (Psalm 50:15).

Hugs

Sharon

Be prepared for mud

Have you ever prayed and prayed then everything seem to get worse?

It seems as if it has been especially hot this year so we find ourselves asking GOD for rain.  Therefore, I smiled when I got an email with the words, “If you are going to pray for rain, be prepared for mud!”  

But as I went on with my day that statement came to mind and the LORD whispered to me, “Sharon, you asked me to work in ‘those lives’, so expect and be prepared for some mud.  It is par for the course but look at it this way-the mud is evidence that I am at work answering your prayer.”

“…For our light (by comparison) affliction (problems), which is but for a moment (and will pass), works (achieves/ produces) for us a something that far exceeds the pain of today and will last eternally” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17.

“For the moment, all discipline seems not to be pleasant, but painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” Hebrews 12:11.

Those words lifted my spirit for it reminded me the mud I was seeing was just revealing that GOD is at work answering my prayers.

Hugs

Sharon

When doubts hit ask

We live in troubling times, where wickedness is rampant and pestilence stalks the streets. Multitudes are scared not knowing what a day will bring forth.  Men and women seek peace but cannot find it. Tonight, as I read the Word- Our Mighty GOD the HOLY SPIRIT-our teacher who reminds us (John 14:26), led me to pray.

Some say that since GOD knows all things, HE doesn’t feel emotions over what is going on.  I humbly beg to differ with them for that just doesn’t hold water when you come to verses like Luke 19:41-42. JESUS weeps over the Jerusalem (the people within it) and then says, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

JESUS promises a peace that will carry us through every struggle we face. “Peace I leave with you (those who know JESUS and have called on the name of the LORD JESUS and are saved); MY peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).  But JESUS’ peace comes only to those who believe for it is trusting in the Almighty GOD’s Sovereign control, tremendous power and eternal purposes that will bring peace.

Reading JESUS’s words my heart also grew heavy and I began to pray, “Oh LORD, show them, what will bring them peace.  Show them by giving YOUR children who believe in YOU and all their wayward children eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to believe/ perceive  (Deuteronomy 29:4) for when they turn their eyes to YOU their blinders are taken away (2 Corinthians 3: 14, 16) so they may call to YOU during all this and receive YOUR peace.  LORD, please do that also for everyone who will accept JESUS during these troublous times.”

But then a demonic fiery dart of a doubt hit which sneered-‘You don’t have that right”.  Turning to my LORD I asked, “Do I have the right to pray for the ones who will believe in YOU the same way I pray for believers?”

Immediately John 17:20 flooded my thoughts. JESUS prayed-“I pray not for these only but also for all those who will believe in ME through their word.”

Thank YOU, LORD for showing me how YOU wanted me to pray and who I could specifically pray for.  YOUR Word is true that if I just acknowledge YOU that YOU will direct me (Proverbs 3:5-7). YOU are amazing GOD and I worship YOU and honor YOU and rejoice in JESUS my Savior.  I cannot help but sing that old song you have poured into my thoughts (Proverbs 21:1).

I worship YOU Almighty GOD, there is none like YOU.  I honor YOU O Prince of Peace, this is what I long to do.  I give YOU praise for YOU are my righteousness, I worship YOU Almighty GOD, there is none like YOU.

Hugs Sharon

An illustration

The favorite summer and weekend place for many of us, Camp Elim/ a Bible Camp has been unable to have on-sight camps due to Covid-19.  But leave it to the Director Dan Faulkner who still wants to touch lives of previous or hopeful campers, parents and counselors.  They have designed a special patch to earn while we must stay at home, or at least not gather in large groups.  There are several requirements to earn the “Peace patch” but the foremost is memorization of some key passages of the Bible. 

As my son, John and I are going for the patch and drilling one another on the verses, I was caught up with one of the verses for it paints a beautiful picture using one of HIS creatures (as is GOD’s way) to show us how HE is with us who struggle but belong to HIM.

As an eagle stirs up her nest, fluttering over her young, spreads abroad her wings, takes them, bearing them on her wings: (Deuteronomy 32:11).

The eagle, who builds a nest at great heights on rugged mountain ledges, waits until she feels her eaglet is ready and then stirs up her nest and knocks it out of the nest and it begins a downward plunge.  She watches the whole while fluttering over her young with her wings spread abroad and just at the right time, she will sloop under the eaglet and catch it on her wings and lifts it up.  This process is repeated over and over until the eaglet begins to fly with strength.

Sometimes my GOD brings me into hard places and things seem hopeless or just too, too hard, just then the LORD sweeps under me and gives me a verse that bears me up, renewing my hope, my peace and my joy.

Looking to JESUS, HE is fluttering over me and praying for me (Hebrews 7:25)

Hugs

Sharon

Comfort

No one likes troubles and struggles can get us down unless we can look behind the scene at what GOD is doing.  HE gives us a glimpse in 2 Corinthians 1:3-8

CHRIST”S suffering flows into a believer’s life (verse 5) so the GOD of all comfort (verse 3) comforts the believer (verse 4) in order to prepare the believer so GOD’s comfort can overflow through us to strengthen and comfort another (verses 5-6) and thereby if we share in suffering we will co-labor with GOD as HIS love and comfort flows to us and overflows through us to meet the needs of others (verses 6-7).

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that its all-surpassing power is of GOD and not from us.”       2 Corinthians 4:7

I am an earthen vessel, just a little pot of clay. Without contents I’m worthless, unused, inane I lay. Til the tender master Potter fills HIS vessel from above with the living flowing water of HIS great eternal love. No longer am I worthless, nor inane, unused do lie now there’s water for the thirsty their needs HE does supply.

So next time you seem to be thrown a curve, seek GOD’s amazing comfort and you not just receive comfort but will get prepared to help another.

Hugs

Sharon

Do you qualify?

 Are you scared or in need of encouragement? Let me share something from the Word of GOD.

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and HE knows them that trust in HIM” (Nahum 2:7).

The LORD is good

“The Lord is Good” – period. Everything about GOD is good from HIS divine nature and power to everything that is related to me – HIS thoughts about me, HIS plans for me, HIS actions toward me, HIS guidance in me, HIS blessings to me, HIS protection of me, HIS purposes fulfilled through me and HIS ordained circumstances (Acts 17:26) that surround me at this very moment in my life. They may not look good, seem good, sound good or feel good – but because they are ordained of GOD, they ARE good.

The LORD is a strong hold in the day of trouble

a ‘strong hold’ is a fortified place, a defense, a refuge, a place to hide

HE knows them that trust in HIM

to “know” here, means to understand as a familiar friend.

Hebrews 4:15 assures us that, “we have not a high priest (JESUS) who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” JESUS not only knows about and understands your situation, but HE even FEELS right along with you.

to “trust” is to confide in, have hope in and to take refuge in.

GOD knows them as a close friend who confide in HIM, who hope in HIM, and who run to HIM to find a place of safety.

Do you qualify?  Do you trust HIM, confide in, hope and run to GOD?  I hope so.

Hugs

Sharon

Are you deeply troubled or worried?

Oh soul are you  troubled or weary, no light in the darkness you see.  There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free.

Are you deeply concerned or worried? Do you have any troubles?

We live in the last days (2 Peter 3:2–3), current events indicate perhaps we are even in the days when the 1st 5 of 7 seals are active (Revelation 6), the last seal, the seventh seal, opens up the beginning of the 7 trumpets and the wrath of GOD. But the seals bring tribulation and we face troublous times. During these times we must look to JESUS.

My style and word choice is somewhat different, and I’ve added a point here and there of my own in this post on PEACE IN A STORM, but I’ve used a concept and scriptures taken from my Facebook friend Bud Snyder’s message for it is message for these stormy days.

Perhaps you like me find that much opposition that comes against you is from the religious and maybe your families think you are a bit off, plus as a whole there is an increase of sickness and troubles but if you follow JESUS you can have peace.

Even with the constant opposition from the Jewish religious leaders, HIS immediate family thinking HE was crazy, JESUS remained calm.  HE knew the truth of who HE was and what HE was going to accomplish so placed all drama into the FATHER’s hands and rested HIS tired body, closing HIS eyes HE went to sleep in the back of the boat, in the midst of a raging storm (Mark 4:38).

His disciples were frantic as they shook JESUS awake saying don’t you care.  Has it ever seemed like GOD didn’t care?  To me it has and at those times I must run to the throne and open the Word of GOD.  I always find peace there.

The storm didn’t affect JESUS, and if we follow HIS example of resting in the arms of GOD, we too can face the storms of life full of peace. Let’s look at what HE tells us.

“Be anxious for nothing (don’t worry), but in everything by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to GOD; and the peace of GOD, which surpasses (throws you beyond having to have) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Our peace, that calm we experience through the storms of life, comes because we are resting in the powerful arms of GOD. JESUS, the LORD of heaven and earth, is with us.

HE said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

“Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

“These things I have spoken to you, that in ME you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Speak a verse out loud just as JESUS did when the devil came at him (Matthew 4:3-11). A verse like the one King David spoke, “At times I am afraid, I will trust in THEE (GOD) Psalm 56:3. For the word of GOD is the sword of the SPIRIT and drives back the enemy. It also declares the glory of GOD’s power.

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

Is GOD Good?

What is GOD like?  Your answer to that question will be seen in how you act, for the character of the worshiper will always be molded by the character of what he worships.  If your GOD is critical and demanding, those qualities will show up in you as well.  Therefore, it is essential that we think rightly about GOD. The ALMIGHTY, GOD our heavenly FATHER has promised that every believer in JESUS will be transformed slowly, a step at a time into the wonderful image (character likeness) of JESUS CHRIST our LORD (Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Truth is a revelation of reality, to know the truth is not just learning facts but to know the truth is to accept its reality and live accordingly. “GOD’s Word is truth” (John 17:17). Truth about GOD is revealed both in HIS creation and in HIS written Word.

GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT (spoke to) moved on the hearts of men and they spoke GOD’s word or wrote it down and we have GOD’s Word preserved in the Bible for us (2 Peter 1:21).  “GOD’s Word is living and powerful, sharper than any 2-edged sword…it is a discerner of thoughts and the intents of heart” (Hebrews 4:12)

“YOU are good and do good, teach me YOUR statutes” (Psalm 119:68). GOD spoke (GOD’s word) and things were created (Genesis 1:3) and GOD said, “It is good.” The initial creation was good for GOD is good.

There is a lie going around, a lie presented to mankind in the garden of Eden.  The Liar inferred that GOD was keeping something good from Eve, something that would benefit her.  In effect he was saying that GOD was not being good to her.  She believed the liar over GOD for it appealed to her senses and we are still reaping from that choice.  The devil uses the same lie on us today.

When something we perceive as bad happens many, even Christians say, “How could a good GOD let this happen?” I know I have thought it a time or two myself.  When one doubts the goodness of GOD it opens the door to disobedience and leads to independence of GOD.

Yes, it is true GOD is Sovereign and could stop anything.  But HE tells us up front that HIS ways are not our ways, and HIS thoughts are not our thoughts but as high as the heavens are above the earth so much higher are HIS thoughts than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).  That means we cannot always understand what HE does and what HE allows.  It is at those times we must cling to what we know is true about GOD.

Look out your window and see GOD’s Power and order, HIS wisdom and love beauty in HIS creation.  Then, turn your eyes to JESUS and see GOD’s love of mankind, HIS generosity, HIS humbleness, yes, HIS goodness.

GOD says that HE works all thing together (like stirring them into a pot) for an end result of good to those who love HIM (Romans 8:28).  HE says that everything is for our benefit (2 Corinthians 4:15) and that our troubles are achieving for us (believers in JESUS) an eternal weight of glory that far surpasses the pain of today and HE urges us to look beyond what we can see (our situation) to that which we can’t see (those things HE is achieving for us through our situation) for what is seen is temporary but what is unseen it eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

When my infant son died, and I cried out in despair for GOD to bring him back, there came a still awareness that this was the will of GOD.  HE had a purpose, as HE always does (Ezekiel 14:23), a purpose for good not evil (Jeremiah 29:11).  Looking back although I miss my 1^st boy I know some of the good GOD intended and brought out of Little Mac’s death.  “Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone, but if it dies it brings forth much fruit” (John 12:24).  The first thing his death accomplished was to bring me back to JESUS for I had wandered away as a teen.  We are told GOD has preset the exact times and places for the purpose that men would reach out to HIM (Acts 17:26 last clause-27) and that it did for me.  Because of my boy’s death many others have reached out to GOD and have found comfort and eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.

Good does not mean easy.  Some of GOD’s ways seem very  hard but they achieve good. Let us never forget, that though we may not understand why, we can know GOD is good!

Looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2).

Hugs

Sharon