Pointing a finger

Pointing the finger

We often will point to an item or person to identify them to another.  The term pointing the finger is an idiom meaning to blame one and identify him.

Has the LORD ever spoken to you from HIS word, then instantly you are being tested in that very area? 

It is as clear as if it happened yesterday, but it was years and years ago when I was a young believer in JESUS. I had been reading the Word of GOD and the LORD was speaking to me about judging others.

Isaiah 58:9    take away the yoke (my demands and expectations of others)

stop pointing the finger (judging others)

stop speaking emptiness (you don’t know all the details)

feed the hungry and clothe the naked (do what you can to help)

then (if you do this) you will call to the LORD and HE will answer

Isaiah 58:11 then the LORD will guide you continually…

Then I went to where I was reading in the New Testament and

Ephesians 4:31-32 let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as GOD for CHRIST’s sake forgave you.

It was a Sunday morning and as I was leaving for church, someone did something that really upset me and I filled up with anger, Looking back I found that in that situation

I had (unmet and probably unreasonable) expectations of the person

I did point my finger at him as being wrong

I spoke as if I knew why he did what he did (when I knew only in part)

I allowed anger to control me so I

I spoke out of turn.

In other words, I totally blew it. I completely failed the test.  I knew it, the moment I got in the car and left for church.  So confessed all the way there. 

Then the sermon hit me square between the eyes.  The pastor began by saying, “When we feel angry, it is because we’ve gotten our eyes off of JESUS and tried to take control of the situation or person.  

His words described me that morning.  I had been angry and pointed a finger at someone’s actions, even though I just read how I must stop that.  And now, three fingers were pointing back at me.  I was guilty.

You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things, (Romans 2:1).

The shame I felt through that conviction was awful and what I learned that morning has stayed with me down through the years.  Now when I feel the anger rising I do what the word tells me.  I run to the throne of grace for help in my time of need.  Cause I need help to release my anger to GOD (Hebrews 4:16).  And when I find myself wanting to point my finger at other, the HOLY SPIRIT (John 14:26) reminds me of Romans 2:1 which makes me stop and ask where am I guilty, LORD?

Funny thing is that when I choose to do things GOD’s way, that which HE tells us to do in HIS word, peace comes over me and I start thinking about and praising the LORD from whom all blessings flow (James 1:17).

Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfector of my faith,

Hugs

Sharon

The sprinklers came on

A little incident can so change one’s perspective that time can seem to fade away.  Recently, when I was walking across our lawn with the sun beating down on me and the temperature soaring above 100 degrees all of a sudden, the sprinklers came on and I ran through them laughing and feeling just like a kid again.

The nature of water is soft, the nature of stone is hard; but if a bottle is hung above a stone, allowing the water to fall drop by drop, it wears away the stone. So, it is with the WORD of GOD on those reading it wanting to hear from GOD.

The WORD of GOD is soft, and our heart is hard, but the one who willing hears the WORD of GOD often, opens his heart to the fear of GOD. / Abba Poemen

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

The WORD of GOD is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, it is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Take time regularly to read the WORD of GOD. Expect GOD to use it to speak to you personally where you are at as well as to teach, refresh and energize you as it redirects and encourages you. For even if you are not aware of the fact, GOD HIMSELF meets you in HIS WORD and you will be changed.

Have you read the WORD of GOD today?

hugs

Sharon

Make it happen

Once upon a time there was a popular secular song my teenager loved to sing.  It had a very catchy tune, but being hearing impaired, I really never caught what the words said- except for one line: it went, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog, a very good friend of mine.” 

Well, today I want to talk about another Jeremiah, a very good friend of GOD.  I say that because, GOD does nothing without revealing HIS plan to HIS servants the prophets first (Amos 3:7) and HE chose to reveal to Jeremiah what would happen in the future.

From advertisements, to politics, to even the church we hear a lot of people, claiming a lot of different things will happen.  It is just plain hard to tell who is telling the truth.  That is, unless you have a way to check out their claims.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy (what is going to happen), “as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as, as a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.  Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.  For (bible) prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from GOD as they were carried along by the HOLY SPIRIT” (2 Peter 1:19-21 NIV).

And Paul words backed up the apostles Peter’s words in 2 Timothy 3:16 when he wrote, “All Scripture is written by the inspiration of GOD…”.

Who prompted the prophets that wrote the Bible to say what they said?  That’s right, GOD HIMSELF. (Philippians 2:13)

How can we be sure that Jeremiah was one of GOD’s prophets, there were a lot of false prophets in that day (Jeremiah 23) and today as well (1 Peter 2:1)?  The Word of GOD says that by two or three witnesses shall everything be established (John 8:17).

The prophet Daniel recognized that Jeremiah heard from GOD (Daniel 9:2), and three different times on three separate issues, Matthew acknowledged Jeremiah as being a true prophet whose words were fulfilled (Matthew 2:17, 16:14, 27:9).

GOD met with Jeremiah and spoke many things to him while he was still young.  Among them, the LORD, said, “I have put MY words in your mouth”, and “I (the LORD) will hasten MY word to perform it’ (I will make it happen) (Jeremiah 1:9,12).  The LORD ALMIGHTY can do that for GOD is Sovereign, what HE determines, will occur, regardless of anything.

Jeremiah was a true prophet of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, Maker of heaven and earth.  That determined, let’s look at one of HIS prophecies (Jeremiah 38:17-23).

In verse 17 Jeremiah is talking to the king of Judah, King Zedekiah, when the Babylonians were coming against the city.  He tells the king IF he surrenders, the king’s life would be spared, and Jerusalem would not be burned down. (notice the IF- those words are conditional on the king’s actions)

In verse 18-23 But IF the king decides not to surrender then, Jerusalem would be burned down, the king would not escape and his wives and children and all the women in the palace would be given to the officials to be ravished.  In the KJ version in verse 23 we read Jeremiah telling the king: “You will cause Jerusalem to be burned”.

According to GOD’s word, who caused Jerusalem to be burned? 

GOD is Sovereign and powerful. HE has a plan that no one can change. It was through HIS purpose, great wisdom, and knowledge of all things past, present, and future (like GOD’s foreknowledge of what the king of Jerusalem would choose) that HE formed HIS plan that would fulfill HIS purposes. 

One of which is to teach the principalities and powers of heaven (good and bad angels) HIS superior wisdom (Ephesians 3:10).

Since GOD cannot lie (Numbers 23:19) and in HIS faithfulness HE keeps every promise HE makes, we know the king had a real choice to make. The king alone would be responsible for his choice. In his GOD-given position of authority, the king’s choice actually determined something to occur.  King Zedekiah caused Jerusalem to be burned. 

He could have stopped it.  So, you see our choices are really important.

Now GOD is in absolute control, and has determined the times and places, yet within HIS plan HE chose to give mankind the attribute of choice.  We are not mere puppets, but GOD sets us in situations and specific time schedules (Acts 17:26-27) where we are given choices that have effects. 

A truth I know, although it is completely beyond my ability to understand, is that while GOD maintains absolute control, HE does so without infringing on the gift HE gave me of choice.

Like King Zedekiah, we believers are told that IF we choose to do something, one thing will happen.  The Word of GOD says, IF we choose to live godly (demonstrating the character of GOD by walking in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT by going with HIS nudging and leading) we can hasten that day when HE will come (that means speed its coming) when all evil is eradicated (2 Peter 3:11-12).  The choice is ours, what will it be?

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

Hugs

Sharon

Whatever comes

Just before the 4th of July 12 years ago, we took a week and went to California to see my mom who was on a heart monitor and oxygen.  By the time we got there, she was much better and off the heart monitor, to our great relief.  The doctor found that her taking 1 low dose aspirin a day was sufficient to keep her heart valve from sticking.  That is what they claim, but we know it really was GOD answering our prayers for healing (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).  Praise HIS glorious name.  

Being Mom was so much better but still needed rest, we took the opportunity to go camping with a lifelong friend and his family.  It was really fun even though we had to cut short our trip due to a phone call advising us of a crisis situation with oldest daughter in Montana.  Our leaving early made us miss the bar-b-que chicken, homemade Ice cream and that watermelon we had kept cold in the snow.  (yep. snow in July). But what a blessing those days under the tall green pines of Northern California had been.

As soon as I unloaded the car, I hurriedly unpacked, threw the dirty clothes in the washer thinking we’d have to take off to Montana soon.  But when I took my favorite pair of pedal pushers out of the dryer, I saw a couple gaping holes.  One too many washes.  The material was too thin to warrant mending, so I just pitched them. 

Weary both physically and emotionally I sat down, picked up my Bible and opened it and began reading Psalm 102.  As I read the tension eased away and a smile came to my lips. 

Psalm 102:²⁵ In the beginning YOU made the earth, and YOUR hands made the skies. ²⁶ They will be destroyed, but YOU will remain. They will all wear out like clothes. And, like clothes, YOU will change them and throw them away.   (Just like I had just thrown away my capris). ²⁷ But YOU never change, and YOUR life will never end. ²⁸ Our children will live in YOUR presence, and their children will remain with YOU.”

As faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD (Romans 10:17), so those words stirred up faith within me to a bright flame, they lifted my weary spirit and flooded me with peace, joy and hope (Romans 15:13).  Those words declared GOD’s unchanging nature, HIS tremendous power and spoke promise.  The fear over the potential situation of throat cancer of my daughter, discouragement of the temporary losses faded as I saw GOD in control. GOD’s word had reminded me that though the LORD’s ways are not mine, HE knows what HE is doing and does all things well.

GOD may not fix all the troubles in our lives here on earth, but HE does promise to walk with us every step of the way (Hebrews 13:5) and strengthen us for anything we must face (1 Peter 5:10-11) and then one day HE promises to make all things new (Revelation 21:1).

I hope you have come to GOD through JESUS (Hebrews 7:27, John 3:36), so you too can find peace and joy in the GOD of all hope (Romans 15:13).  And in times of trouble that you open GOD’s word for it is living and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).

Hugs

Sharon

Always the same

We lived out in the country when my kids were small. One spring day as I walked, I noticed little tadpoles swimming in a muddy shallow puddle on the dirt road out in Ellicott and pointed them out to my children and telling them that one day those tadpoles would be frogs.  Days later John and Shirley came excitedly to me exclaiming they had seen those tadpoles had turned into frogs and had hopped out of the water.

But in the biblical times when the Jews were slaves in Egypt, when all the frogs hopped out of the Nile River, the Egyptians were none too happy about it at all.  The frogs got into everything, on the beds, in the ovens, and on people (Exodus 8:3).

Rereading the account of the plagues GOD brought upon Egypt to deliver the Hebrews from their slavery, I was impressed how GOD always acts the same (James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8).

Each time before GOD acted and brought a plague whether it be frogs, or hail, boils, or darkness, HE always 1^st warned the Pharaoh.  So, Pharaoh always had an opportunity to believe GOD’s Word and believe that GOD would do as HE said. If Pharoah acted accordingly, he could avoid the plague. Time after time after time he refused to obey GOD.

GOD’s long-suffering finally came to an end when the wickedness of Pharaoh was full (Genesis 15:16) after refusing to believe and obey time and time again. Then GOD hardened his heart.

It’s just like our salvation from our sin. We are given an opportunity to turn to GOD by believing in JESUS. “For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM would not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) “He who believes on the SON has everlasting life; and he that believes NOT the SON shall not see life, but the wrath of GOD abides on him” (John 3:36).

GOD is warning people now and it is written in HIS book the Bible. GOD will do what HE has said he will do and although in HIS loving long- suffering HE is waiting as the earth grows in wickedness not wanting any to perish but all to come to a knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:9).  Only GOD knows the appointed day when their wickedness is full (Genesis 15:16) and HIS long suffering will come to an end.  At that time, judgment will come on all those who refuse the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10) and suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18), those who even now are storing up wrath to themselves (Romans 2:5), just like Pharaoh did.

Every believer in the LORD JESUS CHRIST has been made an ambassador for JESUS (2 Corinthians 5:20) and has been commissioned by JESUS to be HIS witness (Acts 1:8). Do you tell others about JESUS?  They really do need to hear.

Looking for JESUS and talking about HIM,

Hugs

Sharon

Do you have your flashlight on?

One of the names of JESUS is the Word of GOD (John 1:1-3, 14).  Hebrews 12:4 tells us the Word is alive-meeting us where we are today, and it is active showing us our thoughts and the intents of our hearts.

John 3:19 says because people love their sin, they won’t come near to the light which reveals it. The light of the world is JESUS. By turning away from the light, they walk into the darkness and they can’t see where they are at or where they are going.

While counseling a cabin full of grade school girls at Camp Elim, one summer night when the girls were at their last activity I made a maze and turned off all the lights in our cabin. Then I had a volunteer lead the young girls into the cabin.

They stumbled around and bumped into things until I turned on my flashlight and handed it to the girl in front of the others. Then the girls could see where they were going.  No longer did they bump into things and stumble.

They understood what I was saying when they had changed and got into bed and I began the nightly devotion with :”YOUR words (O GOD) are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me, and keep me from stumbling.” Psalm 119:105 Living Bible

Do you have your flashlight on? Do you read the Bible everyday?

Hugs

Sharon

The elephant and the dog

After reading an African folktale to day I wanted to share it for it illustrates something most of us face often.

An elephant and a dog became pregnant at the same time. Three months down the line the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months later the dog was pregnant again, and nine months on once more.  Each time she gave birth to six puppies.  On the eighteenth month the dog approached the elephant questioning, “Are you sure that you are pregnant? We became pregnant on the same date, I have given birth three times for a total of 18 puppies and they are now grown and are becoming big dogs, yet you are still pregnant. What’s going on?“

The elephant replied, “There is something I want you to understand. What I am carrying is not a puppy but an elephant. I only give birth to one in two years. When my baby hits the ground, the earth feels it. When my baby crosses the road, human beings stop and watch in admiration, what I carry draws attention. So, what I’m carrying is mighty and great.”

1^st the elephant knew she was pregnant.  We need to know if we have the right to claim a specific verse from GOD’s word to answer a specific request of ours.  Because quite honestly sometimes the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY in HIS love and wisdom says no. HE says no if what we want isn’t the best thing for all concerned and will NOT bring about HIS purposes.   

How can we know if we can claim a certain promise?

Of course, asking GOD if a specific thing is ours to claim is the 1^st step.  If we are seeking GOD’s perfect will, HE says HE will place in us both the desire and the ability to act (Philippians 2:13, Proverbs 3:5-7) toward that end. For HE has the ability to turn our thoughts where HE wants them to go (Proverbs 21:1).

Bear in mind, however, HE has given people the ability to resist what HE places in our hearts.  That is called choice.  Many times, personal ideas or desires for things even for healing turn us away from that still soft voice saying ‘NO.’

Two primary requirements are to learn to distinguish GOD’s voice and to trust HIS loving wisdom. We learn what HE is like and how HE deals with people through the Word of GOD.  HE will give phrases from the Bible to direct us. Those phrases may not even be on the subject but if HE gives it initially you will know it is from HIM. The problem arises if we disagree with HIM and argue. When we resist what HE whispers we turn our back on HIS word, then we can’t hear HIM.

Charles Stanley gave 7 points that might help us know if a promise is ours to claim.   

1-if the promise meets a personal need (Matthew 6:8).

2-if the promise is consistent to GOD’s immediate will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

3-if it will glorify GOD

4-if we are being obedient to what we know HE wants us to do (Isaiah 59:2).

5-If we are willing to do what GOD wants HIS way.

6-if GOD gives us peace (Colossians 3:15).

7-if HE has given us a verse to claim (Isaiah 55:11).

Most of my promises come to me as I am reading the Word of GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT lights a text up. It is also how HE leads me.  Very early one morning as I read, I came to a verse saying, “Do not fight against this it is from ME” I knew it applied to me even though the context did not apply to me.

I had no clue what GOD meant at the time but several hours later I discovered.  And through that horrible time I claimed GOD’s words, “This is from ME.”  Those words saw me through and later looking back I could see HIS amazing wisdom in what HE had done at that time.  Sometimes HE simply impresses on my heart, “I know what I am doing.”

With the inner awareness the HOLY SPIRIT gives each of us, that something is of GOD, and it is agreeing with HIS nature, I know I can claim that promise.  But timing is a different story all together.  Unlike the elephant in the story above, we don’t know the times for the FATHER has placed them in HIS own authority (Acts 1:7).

As Fred Markert with YWAM once said, “The longer you have to wait to get the answer to your prayer the better the answer will be.” 

GOD is developing each of us and it is a process/ a step at a time.  The LORD synchronizes (preset the exact times and places Acts 17:26) events.  HE must get everyone, and everything involved lined up in the proper place before HE acts.  

GOD has an astounding, absolute foreknowledge all things past, present, and future.  That even includes how each of us will choose to respond in any situation.  That foreknowledge is necessary for HIM to give a promise that HE can keep (Number 23:19) without taking away PART of what GOD gave man when HE made man in HIS own image.  The LORD gave us the ability to choose. HIS foreknowledge keeps HIM from ever being surprised about anything and in complete control.

Therefore, some prayers seem ‘on hold’ to us.  GOD says wait.  If GOD has given you a promise, you know HE is at work and will do it at the right time. 

So don’t, stumble and lose faith when you see others receiving answers to their prayers, while you wait, and wait, and wait. If you haven’t received answers, don’t despair. GOD knows the good plans HE has for you (Jeremiah 29:11). What GOD is doing behind the scenes is a process where HE is developing and preparing and packaging the answer for the greatest impact.

Say to yourself, “GOD knows what HE is doing and when HE answers it will hit the surface of the earth, GOD will be glorified, and all will be blessed.”

Hugs

Sharon

All over again

Worry and scheme or believe and trust the choice is yours.

Have you ever shared how GOD has taught you something and then boom, you find that you are back in that test all over again?  Today that happened to me.  But as I read,  “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of GOD so that things that are seen, were not made of things that do appear (are visible)” (Hebrews 11:3).

GOD impressed in my heart, “Sharon, I don’t need anything to do what I promised you. Don’t look at the things you can see for they are temporary, but, like JESUS on the cross (Hebrews 12:2) look ahead to what you cannot see, that which I promised to achieve through these troubles, for that will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:15-18).

Just reading the living Word of GOD has flooded me with joy and peace and HIS word has renewed my hope.  GOD is so good!

Hugs

Sharon

What are you thinking about?

What are you thinking about? All of our minds are set/ focused on something. What we choose to think about determines or governs how we act.

Those who live according to the flesh (natural self) have their minds set on what the flesh (self) desires (the things of this world); but those who live in accordance with the SPIRIT (listening to HIM and going with HIS nudges) have their minds set on what the SPIRIT desires (the things of GOD). The mind governed by the flesh is death (spiritual death), but the mind governed by the SPIRIT is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is HOSTILE to GOD; it does not submit to what GOD wants, nor can it do so (Romans 8:5-7).

Set your mind on the things above (things of GOD), not on the things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2).

We choose our mindset. What are you thinking about?

Hugs

Sharon

Prophets part 2

A very special friend asked 2 questions concerning my post about prophets and I would like to explain a bit more about them and offer answers to her questions here for perhaps someone else has similar questions.

She asked: “Are there very many true prophets today? I still don’t know how you could tell even after reading scripture! I think I would always think they were false!

A prophet is a messenger for GOD.  Someone who gives out GOD’s word faithfully. He has been given insight and explains what GOD has said in HIS word. A false prophet is one who adds to or takes from the words of GOD.

A person gets the HOLY SPIRIT when they believe in JESUS.  The HOLY SPIRIT confirms or warns when others speak of the Bible.  HE teaches us and reminds us of what JESUS (Who is also called the WORD) said. Technically  we do not need to have GOD tell a prophet something new and then relate it to us but a when a man of GOD is given insight into what GOD has said and shares it he co-labors with the HOLY SPIRIT who then verifies what is said in our hearts.

However, in the New Testament Acts 2:17 we are told when the HOLY SPIRIT comes Christians will prophesy. And in 1 Corinthians 14 prophesy is a spiritual gift we are told to seek.  Now that prophesy may mean preach and give the Gospel with insight.

Remember there was a prophet named Agabus Acts 11:27-30 who by the SPIRIT foretold of a coming famine which came to pass and his words prompted believers in Antioch to take a collection and send it to those in Judea. Therefore, there are times when a prophesy is needed to meet a need.  The same prophet foretold concerning Paul’s arrest, note however the HOLY SPIRIT had previously told Paul the same thing several times (Acts 20:22-23, Acts 21:10-11).

 GOD will never speak contrary to what is recorded in the Bible, so  “…if they speak not according to GOD’s Word, there is no light (wise understanding and truth) in them” (Isaiah 8:20).

To answer my friend’s question “How many true prophets are there?” I have not a clue.  But we are told there will be many, many false prophets (Matthew 24:11, 1 John 4:1).

Her question “how would you know if something was true or a lie?” is easier to answer.  You pray and ask GOD if what is said is true and then search the scripture. James 1 says if we ask with a willingness to hear the truth from GOD, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY who gives to all men liberally and unbraids not will show us what we need to know (James 1:5). 

**Warning: If you reserve the right to decide if its GOD telling you (once you have asked and what is said is Biblical) don’t expect GOD to tell you a thing (James 1:6-7).  For HE knows our hearts and HE won’t be mocked.

What a mighty GOD we serve!

Hugs

Sharon