Month: December 2015

Posted in Christmas

The Empty Promises of Christmas

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EMPTY

I can speak only for myself, but I’ve been guilty of many empty promises over my lifetime. I’ve let people down, I’ve frustrated myself and most of all I’m sure I’ve disappointed God. Empty promises start out full of good intentions, and then slowly, like the drip of a faucet the good leaks.  Okay… I’ve managed to send my mind into a pit of despair. Let’s dig our way out with a few empty promises of God.

It all started from an empty space

Genesis 1:2

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

There was nothing… and then there was everything! Does that not amaze you? And how is that a promise?

Proverbs 30:5 says that “ Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” That’s a promise of God that every Word He’s ever spoken is truth and that from the beginning of time when He spoke this world into existence there was a plan… and we were in the plan and it started from an empty space. If God can do that with an empty space, what can He do with us? He promises something, but we have to be willing. He said in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” I cling to that verse every time Satan tells me that God has nothing for me to do. Before I was born, before that empty space, God knew me and had a plan for me. The space was empty, the future was full.

The world is still empty

But we who know Christ are full! God starts out with emptiness, but from the beginning of time, as soon as He puts His hand to it, it’s filled with His goodness. That thought has my soul bubbling this morning.  The darkness as empty and then “Bang!” it was good. In the world we have nothing, but then the Lord touches our heart and saves our soul and “Bang!” it’s good. Read Luke 1:46-53 and hear Mary’s words about the fullness of her life when God filled her with the Son of God.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Mary carried Him physically, we carry Him spiritually but with the same result. We start out empty, but with Him we are full of His goodness.

The tomb was empty

Luke 24:1-8

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words,

He’d told them what was to come to pass, He’d kept His Word. And because of that precious promise of that empty tomb, we have the gift of eternal life. No greater Christmas gift will we ever receive than the salvation of God. Merry Christmas child of God!!!! Gloraaaaaay!!!!

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How to have a Satisfied Christmas

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Satisfaction. I don’t know that I ever achieve it when it comes to my personal goals. I’m not satisfied being a mediocre Christian, and yet that’s what I am in comparison to many others.  Comparison and   satisfaction are mortal enemies that kill the spirit. I have two very different daughters. One loved music the other sports and I tried to nurture each accordingly. The irony is they really weren’t so different. The lover of music because a nurse who cared for the injured. The athlete was musically gifted as well, and relies on her sister quite often for help with injuries, being the mom of three very active little boys. My point in that story is that I love them so much, I don’t compare them, because they are two entirely different beings; unique and awesome just the way God created them. Comparing children causes them to doubt who they are as individuals and damages the spirit. Now me on the other hand, I’m a little harder on myself. No, I am lot harder on myself.

Satisfaction should be a personal goal between you and God. God has expectations of His creations, and we are full of unused potential. I fully believe that, and yet comparison causes us to limit our abilities and kills the spirit within us to be all that we can be. We align our talents up to the world around us. It’s also very easy to align our Christmas up to the world around us. Neighborhood houses compete for the best lights, friends compete for the best parties, and parents compete for the best gifts, all of which serves to kill the spirit of Christmas.

This morning I sat my sights on satisfaction. That’s the gift that I want for myself for Christmas. I want to be satisfied with where I am, but excitedly expectant of where I’m going. If God has me sitting still today, that’s okay… perhaps I need a time out. But there’s still a plan in process that requires action so long as I’m breathing.

Apostle Paul said in  Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

I’ve learned that there is a fine line between content and contention. Contention (conflict) comes from within when we get our sights off things above. Paul had multiple time outs, did he not? How many times was he beaten and imprisoned and taken off the “apparent” playing field. And all the while he was writing these letters… the ones we read today that encourage our soul a few thousand years later. Paul was satisfied with where he was, believing with confidence that God had something greater. And that something greater was me. Not me being better than Paul, but that in 2015 I would be sharing Paul’s words for the encouragement of others and taking them to heart for myself. Glory to God!!! I just wrote myself happy again.

Sidelined… I hate it. I guess that’s why God never gave me the desire to play sports. First of all He knew I’d be really bad it; my baby didn’t get her skills from me, and because of that I’d have been sidelined in every game. And I’m a doer. And in so being a doer I sometimes (actually often times) do it hurriedly. Hey, I’m 53, who knows how much time I got left! God’s working on me this  Christmas to give me the gift of “satisfaction.”

I sang at my Mom-in-laws funeral service Sunday, “I’m satisfied with, just a cottage below, a little silver, and a little gold, But in that city, where the ransomed will shine, I want a gold one, that’s silver lined!”

I do indeed live in a little cottage below that causes me often times to want a mansion on this side of glory… Be satisfied Shari… I want more money… be satisfied Shari…. I want God to use me…. Be satisfied Shari…. I want more acoustic instruments…. Be sati…. 🙂 Just kidding Lord. Be Satisfied Shari.

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Posted in Christian Service, Christmas, Life Inspiration

There’s Something About that Name

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Getting the Name of Jesus

John 20:31

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

And so it as in 1996 that I got it. I’d heard it all my life having been raised in a Christian home, I knew that it was important, I knew that I should reverend it… and not ever take it in vain. But I didn’t “get it” until I was 34 years old. Why? I can’t answer that, other than to say rebellion. But in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Six I found myself with the realization that there was something about that Name. Something I needed to know… to understand deeper than I’d ever understood it before. And with that desire came life, joy unspeakable and a relationship with the Creator of all Heaven and earth. I got it. The Name of Jesus saved this wretched sinner from Hell.

The Gift of the Name of Jesus

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The very second I accepted Christ’s work on the cross as payment for my sin, and that He alone was my salvation, I received the Holy Spirit. Christ living in me. It was amazing to have the Lord revealing an understanding of His word, providing counsel and comfort as I’d never known! When Peter spoke to this crowd the Holy Spirit was an entirely new experience for them too, Jesus had been with them alive and in person, but now He’d sent the promised Comforter, and the baptism was their outward expression of what was happening to them inwardly; that they too accepted the final work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection.

Because I was baptized before I was saved (in error, having not been ask if I was saved) I didn’t get baptized until a few years later. I was still saved… but I wasn’t experiencing my salvation to the fullest until I made that public profession of what had inwardly happened. There was no magic in the water but there was the sweet Spirit of God that blessed my obedience, and I received gifts of the Holy Spirit that I had not received before. Gifts from the name of Jesus allowing my service to be greater.

Grace from the name of Jesus

Acts 4:10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

As much as the crowd who shouted crucify, I was responsible for the death of Jesus on the Cross. On my own there was nothing good in me, sin controlled me and pride kept me from acknowledging that Jesus Christ is Lord of all the earth. In this story of the Apostles in the book of Acts they had healed an impotent man in the name of Jesus. The religious crowd didn’t understand it, but with the man standing before them whole, they sure couldn’t deny it! Anyone who knew me, knew that there had been a change, they may not have understood how or why, but they couldn’t deny it.  Grace came in many forms in my life, it grew compassion in my heart for others, it granted belief in people that the world gave up on, and it garnered love from people who I never imagined would love me as they did.

Oh… the name of Jesus. There’s something about that name in my life. How about yours?

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Posted in Christian Service, Christmas, Life Inspiration

Do you need to regroup this Christmas?

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Christmas. What a wonderful, magical, depressing, jolly, agitating, sentimental, disastrous, lovely, argumentative, splendiferous season. I’m blessed to be part of a church family that together focuses on the Christ of Christmas throughout this season with special nights and programs that slow me down. I’m afforded and blessed as well to have time of my own to regroup my thoughts and wrap myself up with the Holy Spirit of God rather than scotch tape and frilly paper. But even so life gets messy.  My mind races and my to-do lists pile high and this morning even with all the blessings in my life I need to regroup and remember three things about the season I’m in. I’m glad you’re here with me and I’m praying that you and I can regroup for Christmas.

2 Corinthians 8

The Grace of Christmas

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

Paul speaks to the church of Corinth about the testimony of grace belonging to the church of Macedonia. I wonder this morning if I’m hogging all the grace for myself this Christmas. The  grace of God that I’ve experienced through awesome times in the Lord with my Church family, that I wouldn’t trade for the world, were needful experiences but were confined to the walls of Victory Baptist Church. The church of Macedonia’s grace was outside the walls of the sanctuary and evident in the community. My Grace needs relocated.

The Gravity of Christmas

2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

Although America is in a mess spiritually, I’m still free to worship Jesus and tell the story of His love, I have food on my table, a home, car, I have stuff… abundant stuff. I don’t get the gravity of actual needs that so many experience 365 days a year. Christmas for them will be another day without even so much as the fundamentals in life. This was where the church of Macedonia was at, in trials and deep poverty yet rich in liberality. The church of Macedonia gave as if they were rich believing that every need they had would be provided for. My gravity (importance) needs redistributed.

The Gift of Christmas

3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

The power of the church of Macedonia came from their willingness to give beyond what was possible. The gift of Christmas has always been sacrifice. The world is in love with the Babe in the manger, but the Babe was just the beginning of the story of God in the flesh, who became the final sacrifice and atonement for sin. The gift of life that I’m given is more than the ability to breathe, it’s my ability to serve. What a gift! For certain Macedonia was sharing the gift of the gospel, but they didn’t stop there. They knew their world needed Jesus, but perhaps before they could receive Him, they needed nourishment for the strength to go on. Yes, my community needs Jesus… but they may need their gas bill paid, or their lights turned on, or a turkey on the table for Christmas.

My Gifts need re-gifted.

Thank You Heavenly Father for the countless gifts I’ve received. Keep my eyes open, my heart willing and my hands ready to serve this Christmas.

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Posted in Christian Service, Christmas, Life Inspiration

Tis the Season of What?

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It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that there is only 15 days until Christmas. A day in the city yesterday left my heart a little broken as I ran to and fro from store to store, plopped the next package in the car, ticked my list, put the car in gear and went to the next destination. It was almost like washing your hair… lather, rinse, repeat. I vaguely remember hearing a few carols in the stores, and when I did catch an honest to goodness carol of Christ, my heart would pitter pat and I would say, “Ahhhh, there’s Christmas…” then back to the list.

“Tis the season of what?” I asked myself this morning. In the glow of the Christmas tree I long to slow down and ponder the season. I am not as wise as Solomon who impressed God with his request for wisdom. God shakes His head at me on a regular basis, I’m pretty sure. If God, the Creator of all, came to me and said “Shari, ask what you will and I’ll grant it.” I would likely respond “Oh Father God, a cute pair of boots would do me fine!” And God would shake His head, and say to Solomon, “This is why she’s not in charge of her life.”

My Attention Deficit Disorder kicked in and my mind just went to the boot store… true story.

The season of what, Lord?

Ecclesiastes 3

The Season of Purpose

1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

It’s impossible for me to understand the purpose of hurting people. My Wednesday night youth group is filled with children who are in the midst of a “purpose” that causes me to want to beat people. This season of their life is something I never experienced as a child, and so it is that they’re in my world and God has made it my purpose to help them find theirs… even in some very icky situations. Every Season has a purpose and sometimes I am that purpose…

The Season of Preparation

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

Even though we were prepared in the loss of my Mother-in-law this week, we still weren’t ready. We knew the day would come as it will to all of us, but the sudden realization that that person will no longer be with us, especially in such joyful times as Christmas is heartbreaking. But God did not allow death as a sorrow that could not be soothed for His children. A prepared heart, who has known Christ and gone to be with Him in Glory leaves behind a reminder that they are gone but just a little while, and that we need to prepare too, so that we’ll never suffer that separation again.

The Season of Pruning

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

God is clear that there are somethings that need not be in the lives of a child of God. Those things that tear us down, that loosen the foundations beneath our feet and cause us to fall need to go.  Pruning may kill a portion of a tree but the growth that occurs afterward leaves a healthier foundation. This may be a season of  pruning. I need to check my branches…

The Season of Propitiation

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

The purpose behind tears are not always clear. We cry when we laugh and when we mourn, when we’re   touched and when we’re angry. But they’re a soothing process in that it alerts others that something needs to be shared. Sorrow or celebration… friends help on both counts. Show yourself friendly…

The Season of Principles

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

If ever there is a time where Christian principles need to stand like stone pillars in society it’s now. Everyone waivers for every reason and give it no thought. The Word of God doesn’t waiver, nor should His people. Stand strong…

The Season of Privilege

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

We’re a blessed generation. We ignore scriptures that remind us that we’re to take care of the widows and orphans, we give to those we know, but to a stranger it will be conditional. Giving to the Salvation Army at the entrance of a store is relatively easy, stopping in traffic to hail down the man with the cardboard sign will have us asking “How far out of my way will it require me to go?” I throw so much food away at my house it’s ridiculous without ever asking, “Who could I share this meal with.” We’re too privileged… I’m too privileged…

The Season of Proclamation

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

There’s a time to sow… and there’s a time to hold your seed packet and let God do a little work to prepare the ground before we open our mouth. I pray this season I’m mindful to say what  God would have me say and that I’d be aware when  to say nothing. God, guard my tongue…

The Season of Peace

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

We’ll not see peace on earth until Jesus returns… that’s Bible. But we have Peace through Jesus Christ who gives it to all men liberally for the asking. We need to share that peace this Season…

What’s your season like? Mine’s a little more focused on God this morning thanks to Solomon’s Wisdom.

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What can God do with Nothing?

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It’s a question I asked myself all the time, for I’m always wanting to contribute something; I’m never satisfied with being a spectator. I may not be athletic in the sense that this world sees athleticism, but… from the viewpoint of Heaven and the game of life it’s my desire to be on the playing field every quarter of every hour. And when trophies are handed out at the final banquet I want my share, so that I may have the privilege of laying them down at the feet of Christ. I want to hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” So this morning I ponder that word nothing…

I fear nothing. Sound arrogant? It’s far from arrogance when I tell you that I fear having nothing. I like stuff. God tells us to be fearful for nothing in Matthew 6:31-33 when He says: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  But in my weak human state I still fear having nothing. Every time I think that I have “unemployed” out of my vocabulary I once again hear myself stutter, if not deny that I am employed by God when asked “Where do you work?” Or “Are you still looking for a job.” And I want to shout at the rooftops, I have a job people! I’m just obviously not very good at portraying that.

Matthew 6 is played out in my life every day. I have stuff. If I were an Oreo I’d be a double stuffed one I have so much stuff! And yet I am ashamed to say, I fear “nothing.”

So I ponder this word this morning…

Nothing. A few facts, and just a few (for there are many) that I discovered about what God can do with nothing.

He can do something.

The God of Last Resort

For the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5:26 who had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, God was her last resort but the final answer, and she was healed. I think nothing is needful before God will work oftentimes. As if to say “go ahead and try the world, see what they can do, and then when you return to me we’ll get this mess straightened out. God works best when there’s nothing to work with.

The God of Left Overs

Matthew 15:32

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

In the mountains above Galilee the people had brought the lame, blind and dumb, the worst of the worst and Jesus had healed them. They were amazed! He’d restored their feeble bodies and for three days they’d sat in awe of Him having nothing to eat. Jesus had compassion on them and desired to feed the hungry masses but all that was there was a few leftovers, seven loaves of bread a few little fishes. The people had nothing, and the disciples had almost nothing in comparison to the 4,000 men and likely as many or more women and children. And yet when God blessed those left overs, they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

The crowd didn’t even pay a cover charge! They came as broken, empty vessels but after being in His presence and at His mercy they left full. There was still left overs. Little is much when God is in it!

The God of the Last Minute

1 Corinthians 4:5

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

In the darkest hours of my life, when I thought there was no hope at all I stood amazed every time that God was waiting to do something.  But He didn’t do anything before His time. When I doubted God about being the Jesus Chick, He waited until every job available in my community had been exhausted and I had nothing, so that He could be my something. As I finished today’s blog, and point by point came to fruition I stood amazed (not because I am anything) but because God used nothing and made something. He answered me again… Shari this is who you are. You’re my messenger. Judge nothing before it’s time.

  • The woman was healed
  • The multitude was filled
  • Shari was sealed

God always does something.

Job 26:7

He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.

If God can hang an entire universe in the vastness of space upon nothing what is it for Him to hang a shingle outside my door that says “The Jesus Chick.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

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Posted in Life Inspiration

Don’t Lose Your Appetite

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Physically speaking that is usually not an issue with me. My appetite seldom suffers a blow. Upon the rare occasion that it does it’s usually a physical thing, not an emotional issue because stress causes me to seek comfort with a Mr. Bee Potato Chip Bag and a Diet Coke. They of course counterbalance each other and all calories are sacrificially eliminated. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it. But for certain the appetite is a gauge of sort to the inner self.

I don’t think that it’s coincidence that God uses food for sacrifice and illustration so often in the Bible. He knows that it’s something we can identify with and appreciate, it’s a very important part of our lives. In celebration we gather round food, in mourning our family gathers after a funeral service for a meal, the communion table is set with bread and juice and the flavor as it hits my taste buds draws my mind to scripture and the day when God said we’d share it in His presence one day. Glory to God! that is such a special time! Food is important! Whole studies have been done on the importance of nutrition but today my mind is elsewhere.

Lack of appetite with the children of God is rampant when it comes to the things of God both spiritually and physically. I know that there are more causes than possible to list but I think they all fall into three catagories:

  1. We don’t want it.

In Psalm 23 (my refuge Psalm in times of heart ache) David says

1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

David didn’t want because the Lord provided his every need. We don’t want because we have too much. Americans are a spoiled nation where we throw away more in a week than many will have in a life time. True story… and because of our overabundance and constant craving for things we have no appetite for the things of God.

  1. We’re too tired for it.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

David could lie down in the goodness and protection of God even in the midst of this trial and be at peace because he knew God was in control and that there was purpose in everything.

We run to and fro, and to and fro trying to meet self-made quotas and at the end of the day we collapse in exhaustion without so much as a “Thank You Jesus” for giving me another day. We have no appetite for the things of God because we’re worn out.

  1. We’re not even at the table

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

In order to eat and be nourished by the good things that God desires for us we have to be in a right relationship with Him. When God desired a sacrifice of Cain and Able, Cain refused obedience to God’s plan. He had this lovely fruit and veggie tray that he’d picked up from the Deli, but God had told him to go to the meat department, not produce. We try so hard to “produce” acceptable works. But God wants obedience… He’s the leader. He restored David’s soul because God was Shepherd of his soul.

  1. We’re afraid of it

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

David could fear no evil because the rod was a rod of correction and the staff was a staff of direction, both were there to keep him safe. We’re afraid to be that close to the Lord and allow Him that kind of control. Just like the sheep David shepherded, he knew that he would be prey were it not for God’s protection.

  1. Dinner’s ready… are you ready for it?

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Even in the presence of your enemy, whatever that may be: people, finances, relationships, health… God has prepared you the finest of cuisine. Don’t lose your appetite because of what’s going on around you. God’s in the kitchen waiting for you to come in and enjoy this awesome meal and time of fellowship with Him, but you’ve got to slow down… sit and rest… leave the pride and sin outside the door…allow God to guide you… and then sit and feast on His goodness.

This blog was totally for me… but I hope you tasted His goodness in your life too!

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Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

Don’t Abandon the Plan

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Am I not the Jesus Chick? I ask myself that same question about every day and every day I hear the same answer. “Yes you are. Stop asking.” But then again tomorrow I will feel the lack of worthiness, the doubt upon my divine design and the role that I believe God placed me in. Even so much that if I’m filling out a form that asks my occupation I’ll hesitate every time in writing speaker, singer, and minister of the gospel. My insecurities will then spiral out of control into every other avenue of my ministry and life. Wife, mother, musician, teacher, friend, housekeeper, and the list goes on. In my mind I’m an utter failure in every category most days of the week. I’ve been preprogrammed to believe that a paycheck equates my value – not a purpose.

Until 2014 I’ve always had a “real” job as some may say, not considering for a second that what I do is a real job. Paycheck = value. Satan hisses those words in my ear, again and again and again. So this morning as I awake feeling unworthy I turn to the word of God begging God to speak peace to my soul in the tween times of speaking engagements and opportunities to sing. And He is so faithful…

I’d reckon that I’m in good company if I read I Corinthians 9:1-4

Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink?

Obviously the question had arisen to Paul about his leadership abilities. Please don’t misread this blog to be a disgruntled ministry worker. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those to whom I minister to treat me with the utmost of love, respect and kindness. For me this battle is with self and Satan. And I figured if I had this battle perhaps someone else did too and that the reason it was on my heart today was because it was on someone else’s heart too, and together we could encourage one another.

Are not ye my work in the Lord?

Paul’s asking “Did God not send me here to minister to you?” That places responsibility on Paul regardless of whether or not they believe in his leadership abilities. As for me that puts the burden upon my shoulders (that Christ will gladly bear) that I’ve been sent to minister to the people in my path. For which you are one. If I listen to that hisssssssssss… I’m neglecting my responsibility, paycheck or no paycheck.

God places us in a position… don’t abandon it.

Are you not my Seal?

For Paul the “seal” was their conversion under his ministry. I’ve likely not been involved in your conversion to Christ, although I have been involved in others, but every time I’m given the opportunity to minister to someone and encourage them in their walk of faith it’s as if I go home with a seal on my Certificate of Participation in the work of the Lord. My recompense for serving God is your response to my ministration. Therefore your responsibility to my encouragement to you is your encouragement to me. Both of which cost us nothing but time and a few words which are afforded to us by God. How wonderful is that! Especially during this Christmas season when funds are low, that’s bargain shopping at its finest!

God places us with people… don’t abandon them.

Has supper not been set on the Table?

Paul asks them “Have we not power to eat and to drink?”  God spoke to my soul this morning with those words as if to say, “Shari, I’ve provided you everything you need.” Why do you keep questioning my purpose? God has given me His Word to feast upon like manna from Heaven and His Holy Spirit fills my heart to the brim.

God has given our lives purpose… don’t abandon it.

We’re all a part of the plan. And if God could show us a flow chart of expectations it would scare us to death! But He doesn’t. He gives us our responsibilities one day at a time. Little bites, little sips… Just enough!

Serve on pilgrims!

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Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

A Most Unusual Word

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on A Most Unusual Word

UNUSUAL CHICK

This was written in booklet form as a Wednesday night study for the Junior/Senior High Youth group at Victory Baptist Church, in Grantsville, West Virginia in hopes of giving them an encouraging word as we wind down 2015 and soar into 2016.

What truth we are living in as we see in the closing book of Daniel when the Lord says in 12:4

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

We are for certain in those days. The time is now that the world needs to see the certainty of the God of an “unusual people.

In January 2015 I prayed for and received a word that I could focus on throughout the year; that word was:

Believe!

I was pleasantly surprised how God would show me this word again and again in various forms and places through the year. So as the year closed and I began asking God for a 2016 word, He responded with what I consider to be a follow-up to 2015 ~ my 2016 word is:

Unusual

It’s fitting for me in more ways than I care to admit. But then I began thinking about the first time as a new convert I was said to be “peculiar.” I wasn’t offended. I knew it had something to do with the Bible, so I looked in my concordance and there it was… in all its splendor in 1 Peter 2:9 (as well as other places) – And as I had suspected it was a compliment, not an insult.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

God loves the unusual.

This year God asked me to share my word with you. We can see the world waxing colder and colder. As Christians it’s so very easy to put up a shield to protect ourselves from the harsh cold world. But what if we rather thawed the icy walls around us allowing them to see and have the living water of Christ Jesus our Lord within.

Those icy souls would be better viewed as snowflakes; beautiful and unique just waiting for the warmth of a child of God willing to do unusual things. Loving the unlovable, generously giving and sharing God’s word with boldness and an excitement bubbling from within that transcends the norm of what people have seen in Christianity. That’s my prayer for you… and me!  Let the world be normal… we’re an original masterpiece of God Who’s waiting to do something remarkable with us. Are you ready?

God loves the unusual

2016 WORD OF THE YEAR

UNUSUAL

In the book of Daniel Chapter 2 is an unusual story about an unusual man and a King who had an unusual request. King Nebuchadnezzar asked for the wise men to first tell him a dream he had dreamed (but couldn’t remember) and then explain the dream.

***

Unusual Requests

Daniel 2:1-6

And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.  The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

That’s one strange request! And one that brought deadly repercussions if ignored. The world has unusual requests for Christians, do they not? They require explanations of us that they require of no other religion. They aren’t asking the Muslims to explain Allah, the Buddhists to explain Buddha or the Pagans to explain their unbelief. But we are called to explain everything about Christianity.6

  • Creation (How could God create it?)
  • Separation (why does God want it?)
  • Admonition (Why should we heed it?)
  • Exaltation (Why should we give it?)

Of no other religion are these answers being demanded. We serve an unusual God, and we are asked unusual requests because we are an unusual people. If we could be explained… no one would care. Our God is unusual and Awesome! And He expects His people to be unusual and awesome as well.

Exodus 19:5

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Psalm 135:4

For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

God treasures the unusual!

***

We serve an Unusual God!

Daniel 2:7-11

They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

 

The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.hey answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

The King called their bluff he said “tell me the dream and I shall know that ye can.” As if to say, “prove you’re who you say you are.” God put this thought in Nebuchadnezzar’s mind because He knew the world would think that to be the strangest, most unreasonable request they’d ever heard. “Tell me a dream that you dreamed but can’t remember and then explain it.” That’s crazy. But Nebuchadnezzar was relentless, he said either do it or die.

To Shari quote this part of the story, the wise men then said, “Okay… tell us one more time what you want.”

To which Nebuchadnezzar replied “I know your game, you’re wasting my time.”

I believe that people who genuinely are searching for the truth, don’t waste time on false gods. It doesn’t take them long to see through false gods. But Jehovah God, Our Provider, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, there’s something unusual about Him and they recognize it. But for many they don’t want to trade their control in for faith.

The “wise men” knew they couldn’t fulfill the King’s request. They told him that this was a “rare”, an unusual request he was asking. No person could possibly answer it, only gods without flesh. The answer to the King’s question would have to come supernaturally.

And God smiled…

He said you’re right. And it will come supernaturally through my man.

 

An Unusual Man

Daniel 2:12-18

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel had wisdom and insight that was not afforded the other “wise men.” The King likely suspicioned the other wise men’s abilities, but Daniel had a supernatural connection to the dream maker through the power of prayer, his and that of his friends.

So when Daniel came to the King’s henchman and asked questions with wisdom, his reputation had preceded him. When going before the King to ask if he could make known the dream the King didn’t doubt him. The testimony of a child of God who lives their faith out loud is known throughout the communities for which they live. It’s unusual! Hypocrites are a dime a dozen.

The Christian testimony should be such that when problems arise people come to us for counsel. But unfortunately too many Christians live their lives in such a way that their counsel seems no different than any others. God needs us to be unusual.

***

 

Unusual Bravery

Daniel 2:19-25

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter. Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

Did you notice that the scripture said “Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”  And it goes on to say how.

  • He prayed for God, to God, that He would be blessed by men forever.
  • He acknowledged where his blessings came from. For wisdom and might are his.
  • Daniel knew that God is the God of circumstance. Any season or reason in life is of God and He can change it in the blink of an eye. They’d come to kill Daniel, but soon they would adore him.
  • Daniel acknowledged that King Nebuchadnezzar did not get into the position of King without God’s stamp of approval.
  • And Daniel praised God for making known to him the meaning of the King’s dream

God chooses who it is that he elects to use. He controls the lives of the unsaved and saved alike, orchestrating their direction in life like the Puppet Master and the marionette.

After Daniel prayed he went to Arioch and said “Let’s do it.”

You better believe it would have taken gumption for Daniel to stand before the King. He’d already ordered them killed, Daniel knows he’s upset! But Daniel had confidence that the God he served had just delivered him the message that would divulge the secrets locked up within the King’s mind, a message that nobody could deliver.

Do we have that kind of confidence in God today? Do we believe when we hear a message like that from the book of Daniel that God is using it to ask us to step out with greater confidence? – – – We’re about to find out.

Daniel 2:26-30

The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

That’s what I always feel like when God chooses to use me in amazing ways. “But God, I’m no different than any other child of God… But He reminds me although that’s true, not all of God’s children are willing vessels for the cause of Christ. This word for 2016 is nothing as it’s spoken by my mouth, but when God puts it into action it can become amazing and used for God’s glory! The word “Unusual” may have been spoken by ordinary Shari, but that makes it no less significant for you should you decide to see what God can do with that word in your life in 2016.  It is for God’s glory that I ask you to be unusual.

Daniel told the King that he knew what his heart said. I make no profession of knowing your heart, only you will know what your own heart says about this word “unusual.” If you choose to take this message to heart I’m convinced that God will do amazing and unusual things with you, but you have to be unusual.

Daniel’s confidence level soared because he knew in His heart it was from God. He served the God Who was truth, and revealed the truth. The very same God we serve today.

2016 has some awesome things about to happen.

The day God gave me this word, within 30 minutes, Steve Boggs called to say Eagle Ranch Revival and Mission Center had just been given 50,000 dollars. – unusual things….

I’ve been feeling bad, but God says you’re going to be fine. I have unusual things to do with you.

Daniel told the King, I’m not anyone of any greatness, but I serve a great God who will use me anyway. You may say that “You’re just a kid from a little town in West Virginia.” God however thinks you’re amazing, but in order to go up, you have get down.

Matthew 23:12 says

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

If we’re going to be used by God humility is required. There is a vast difference between confidence and arrogance. One is right and the other wrong. One relies on the power of self, the other realizes that without God we’re nothing but with God we’re everything! Make sure you walk in the confidence of the Creator. Daniel reveals the Lord’s message with confidence in the “Lord’s message” not his own wisdom.

First Daniel describes Nebuchadnezzar’s dream…

Daniel 2:31-45

Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Then Daniel interprets the dream regarding the future of the King’s monarchy… that’s the wisdom God affords.  What man cannot even imagine is but a small thing to God.

This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.


Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.  And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Daniel is a young man revealing great prophetic truths by trusting in the Truth that God has revealed to him. I’m not a prophet… I cannot say what your future holds except to say that it will have far greater things in store for you if you determine to be “unusual” for Christ.

This world will fall. But we serve a God who has created a world that will never fall.

Right now America is still an awesome land. We have power, strength and glory (though it’s fading). As Daniel spoke to Nebuchadnezzar he reminded the King of his greatness and the providence of God that placed him into that position. God’s providence still reigns in our lives, serving to get us where we need to be. He’s got a plan and we’re a part of it; that plan is to spread the truth of eternal life through Christ Jesus. A position that we take for granted. Ambassadors for Christ is not a position that God took lightly when He watched His Son being crucified for us to have it.

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An Unusual Position

Daniel 2:46-49

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

God not only placed Daniel into a place of authority, but Daniel asked that his friends come along for the ride.  Daniel was put in a place to be elevated and used for that eternal Kingdom. And I believe that that’s why He has us in this place. I believe that God can do some amazing, awesome, unusual things with every one of us. And that we can bring our friends into that same blessing. But we have to (using the old Cliché) DARE TO BE DANIELS.

I would like to see every one of the youth in our ministry elevated into positions of greatness for the glory of God.  And God can do that. But you have to be a person of unusual character in the world today. When I say “dare” to be a Daniel I’m setting a challenge before you, because it’s not easy. Unusual means having a right heart, staying in His word, working in His house, having the right friends to encourage you and listening for His guidance in all things.

Are you ready to do unusual things for the God of glory?

~***~

Questions to ponder

  1. Are you living your life in a manner pleasing to God?
  2. Would your friends seek your counsel?
  3. If God asks you to do the unusual, are you confident to trust in His ability to make it happen?
  4. What is it that speaks to your heart about Daniel’s unusual story?
  5. Spend some serious time in prayer asking God where it is He’d have you be unusual. What was His answer?

A paper copy of this booklet is available for $5.00, plus shipping cost of $2.00 via Paypal. For a copy please message me at talk2shari@gmail.com or message my phone at (304)377-6036.

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