Posted in Uncategorized

We Cannot Sit in Yesterday’s Grace

Written by talk2shari Published June 2, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

1^st Samuel 20:27 ~ And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?

David had discovered Saul’s intentions to kill him, and even so, he gave his best friend Jonathan the opportunity to prove to him that his father had no ill will toward him. Once both Jonathan and David were aware that Saul was indeed plotting to kill David, Jonathan and David met one last time to say their goodbyes.

The story of Jonathan and David is one of my favorites. Their friendship is the epitome of what true friendship should be and is set before us as an example of what Christian friendship should look like. As I read this text this morning, the first thought that came to my mind was “David didn’t sit in yesterday’s grace, and neither should we.” Why this message is on my heart I do not know, but the Lord does. Perhaps it is you that read it today, or another week or month down the line that needs to comprehend what the Lord is saying.

David had served King Saul honorably, but when Saul rebelled against the Lord and the Lord’s hand was removed he was aware that David was next in line to the throne and that God’s favor now rested on David. Broken hearted, David made the choice to leave. He could not sit in yesterday’s grace, it was gone. If he stayed he’d surely be dead.

There are times in our lives when we must realize that it is better to move on than stay put and die. I’ve had to make that decision multiple times. Sometimes on the secular front with my career and other times on the spiritual, but both were fronts of a battlefield. It’s not easy to leave friends and it’s extremely hard to swallow that a friend has become an enemy. Things change; and where we once found grace, it’s now gone. If I had stayed in the position I was in my zeal for life would have died; enemies have a way of draining the life out of you.

Don’t live in yesterday’s grace. Ministry should be a mobile force, and by mobile I mean moving forward! If David had stayed in that place we would not know of King David. God’s plan would have moved forward without him and David would have missed out on the greatest adventure of his life. Yes he made mistakes, he was far from a perfect man; but what made him a man after God’s own heart was his servitude. And when the opportunity to serve ceased… he moved on.

Posted in Uncategorized

The Real “After Earth”

Written by talk2shari Published June 1, 2013June 2, 2013 Discussion 2 Comments

Intrigued by the title I watched the movie trailer for “After Earth” this morning. The action packed film will no doubt be riveting with special effects and fear producing plots that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat with anticipation of the outcome. But I’m here to tell you they will fail in comparison to the real one! As I read www.biblegateway.com’s verse of the day, Revelation 21:2-5 (prior to watching the trailer) I thought “I need to write on this!” Then as is often the case I got distracted, by a blueberry muffin mix calling my name from the kitchen. But God is faithful! When I returned with my muffin in hand I searched for trends of the day to see what webwatchers were watchin’. And low and behold the movie “After Earth” came up as the second highest. NBA was the highest, but that didn’t capture my attention like the second.

After Earth stars Will Smith and his real life son Jaden as a distanced father of a teenage son who takes off on an adventure to restore their relationship. A description from the site describes the movie as such: “The action is set a thousand years after humanity had to evacuate a despoiled Earth for a distant solar system, to which the species has adapted. Mankind’s main obstacle is a monster race, called Ursa, which is blind and detects its human prey by smell—literally, by the scent of fear.” A one liner that I’m sure will be remembered is “Danger is very real, fear is optional.”

I’m sure it’s an awesome movie for fans of that genre, but the real thing…the one that’s in truth destined for earths inhabitants is going to be a jaw dropping, no special effect, gospel truth reality.

Revelation 21:1-5 ~ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Will Smith’s broken relationship needing restored with his son is very reminiscent of our own with the Heavenly Father. Our relationship with Him was broken in the Garden of Eden and has been crippled by separation since then. But there will come a day that it will be restored! Shout the house down on that one!!! Our new earth will not however be filled with scary and dangerous demonic forces; there will be no fear or anything else that causes sadness, it will all have been destroyed. When John saw New Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven, that Holy City was about to land on earth with God himself piloting the ship. I want to put an exclamation point after everything I write, that’s how excited I am thinking about that glorious day!

But for now there is a very real danger, and fear is still optional.

1 John 4:18 ~ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

How do we cast out fear? Because it seems very real does it not? A perfect love is that relationship with God the Father, which doesn’t have to wait for the new earth. As a matter of fact it can’t. By that time it will be too late. A relationship with God doesn’t take the dangers of this world away, it relinquishes control to the One with power over all and affords you the peace in knowing that come what may, demons, Hell or high water, God has your back. And there will come a day that we’ll see that New Jerusalem, or we’ll be riding down with it if we’ve gone on to Heaven before that day. Our New Earth will be more than any mind can imagine; there’s not enough exclamation points in the world to illustrate the excitement level of that day.

Want to know more? Read the book! It’s in there.

Posted in Uncategorized

Who Told You That You Have a When?

Written by talk2shari Published May 31, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

I have about a 40 minute commute to work each day which gives me an opportunity to listen to some of my favorite preachers. Even though I’m a musician, and I love to listen to music, I have such a desire for the Word of God, it is my preference of Spiritual encouragement in the car. Earlier this week I was doing just that and heard these words ring out from a preacher “Who told You that You have a When!?” Over and over I’ve heard them ring out in my mind this week. Even as I write these words there’s a large bell on college campus chiming out the time as if to say, “You’re not guaranteed another chime, who told you that you had a when?”

We’ve all likely heard it and said it.

“When I grow up I’ll serve in the church.”

“When I get out of debt I’m going to give to the Lord’s work.”

“When I get my life right I’m going to get in church and get saved.”

“When my kids grow up I’ll serve the Lord.”

Well… who told you that you had a when? 2 Corinthians 6:2 says “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” We’re not guaranteed another second of breath. This message is for me as much as anyone. I can get so wrapped up in the trivial things of the day and at day’s end discover I’ve done nothing of eternal importance. I realize that there are some things that must get accomplished, dishes done, laundry folded, phones answered, documents written, websites updated… these things are needful. But at some point in my twenty four hour period what did I do for God? Did I introduce anyone to His goodness and faithfulness? Did I offer hope when I had the chance or a piece of bread or drink of water in His Name? Who told me I had a when?

Something else I do as I travel along is talk to God. Not nearly as in depth as I should. Sometimes it’s no more than my West Virginia traveler’s prayer “Dear God, I am Yours and the deer are Yours, please don’t let us meet!” But this morning I began to pray again that God would break my heart for souls. I prayed for my husband, children and grandchildren that God would move in their lives and prick their souls where it was needed to remind them they too are not guaranteed a “when.” I prayed for my siblings, nieces and nephews and their children, I prayed for the teens in my ministry, I prayed for my Pastor, I stood in the gap for as many as I could in that short drive, but that’s only the beginning of my day. If God allows I still have several hours to go… What will I do for Him that will survive when tried by the fires of eternity?

Right now I have business tasks at hand… but I’m watchin’. I’m believing that God is going to open a door for me today that I can glean some fruit! What about you? Perhaps you don’t even know where you’d spend eternity if your “when” was now, and your time was over. Don’t ride on chance, there are many souls in Hell separated for eternity from the people they love because they were sure they had more time.

Here’s the “how”…

A – Admit you’re a sinner who owes a penalty for sin. Everyone is. (Romans 3:23) and then…

B – Believe that Christ died to pay that penalty. He was the only worthy sacrifice that could be made. Through His holiness and righteousness you are given the gift of eternal life in Heaven (Romans 6:23) if you…

C – Confess, meaning to agree with the Word of God, that Jesus died on that cross, rose again the third day and is now your intercessor in Heaven. (Romans 10:9, 10) and then…

D – Decide, Heaven or Hell. It’s that simple, because, you’re not guaranteed a when.

Posted in Uncategorized

Just Shy of God’s Intentions

Written by talk2shari Published May 29, 2013May 29, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Numbers 32:5-7 ~ Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them?

I love a preacher that challenges me to live better. It was hard at first coming from a fairly liberal attitude into a conservative church that preached Hell hot and Heaven real and both 20 seconds away. I have no clue what it is like being on the battlefield of a foreign country, but I know quite well what it feels like to a foreigner in my own land. When I stepped out for the cause of Christ I became an adversary to many that I had stood in agreement with before salvation. When I heard the truth about Jesus and understood the sacrifice He had made I couldn’t turn back. I was moving forward to that land I’d been promised. I was excited. Heaven was real and I’d not have my mind changed. But not everyone shared my enthusiasm.

Many Christians today live contently on the edge of Jordan. They’re satisfied living just shy of God’s intentions, because that would take commitment. Rueben and Gad parked their families on the land east of Jordan and went halfheartedly over to help take the Promised Land for Israel but only because Moses made them feel guilty. I say they were halfhearted because they left their family on the other side; while they were willing to fight for the cause their minds had to have been on how things were progressing at home. They knew going in that this wasn’t their land, they were going back to the other side.

Halfhearted Christianity has taken its toll on the church. It’s hard to stay committed in church leadership when the army doesn’t even bother to show up. What a fine example the children of Rueben and Gad were given when their father’s left them on the other side. It must have spoken volumes toward their need to be involved in the battle. Summer time is a real good time to have this conversation when Sunday after Sunday attendance is down, and while family vacations are understood and needful, few people have 3 months of vacation.

Rueben and Gad were unwilling to relinquish their old ways and be fully committed to Israel’s cause and because of it they and their entire family lived just shy of the Promised Land. Just shy of having everything God wanted them to have. The same holds true when we fail to commit to church attendance and involvement in the ministries, we’re living just shy of having everything God wants to give us. It’s an honor and privilege to serve in the army of God, but you can sense Moses’ frustration when he has to say to them “Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the Lord hath given them?”

Don’t for two seconds buy the lie that nobody notices when you’re gone. Folks like me notice! Not because I’m a busy body but because I love you! And your family. It’s discouraging to church leadership and to the Pastor when half of our heart is missing. Stay faithful! And go all the way for Jesus. Don’t stop just shy of the Promised Land.

Posted in Uncategorized

Don’t Make Life Harder Than It Is

Written by talk2shari Published May 26, 2013August 27, 2018 Discussion Leave a Comment

I have an old friend who when ask how things were going? Would reply, “Simple people have simple ways.” Even though he was an attorney, working with Alex Spiro he never lost the foundation of a humble childhood and country way of living. King David must have been much in the same mindset.

I’m often shocked at the ignorance of intelligent people. I make no claims at deep intellectual abilities, but in my way of thinking if great intelligence is not used for the glory of God, then it’s wasted. Am I saying that wisdom is wasted on the secular world? No. But as Christians what we learn, teach or do should point back to the cross at some point.

Psalm 116: 6-9

The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Simplicity Brings Rest

King David had all manner of riches but he knew and sought peace only with the Lord. David’s predecessor King Saul sought David to play the harp and soothe his soul, David used the harp to praise the Lord and soothe his own. That’s why it’s so important to have your own relationship with the Lord. We need to be in church on Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night, because it is there that we’ll be fed and encouraged by the man of God, but the balance of our week should be seeking God on our own, through His word and in His service. That’s how David did it! David was in the battle, not on the sidelines.

Simplicity Brings Wealth

God had dealt bountifully with David, but his wealth was not in gold, it was in the impact he had on others. To think of how many souls have been touched by the words of David is unfathomable. I weep in thinking of how God has used him to stir my soul. Oh that I would stir souls like that for the cause of Christ! If everything in my world pointed to Him, how rich would I be…

Simplicity Brings Direction

Where ever David went he walked before the Lord. David knew God was watching and guiding his steps, he knew God’s hand was on him. When David spoke, whether it was in the authority as the king, as a psalmist, as a shepherd, regardless of what he was doing, his words pointed to the Lord. His ways were simplistic: he ask God, trusted God, and then praised God, and God blessed.

Don’t make life harder than it is.

Posted in Uncategorized

A Memorial Day Attitude of Gratitude

Written by talk2shari Published May 25, 2013May 25, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Psalm 135:13 ~ Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations.

The older I get the deeper meaning Memorial Day has. I don’t know how it is that people go through life without a concern for eternity but Memorial Day is a reminder that others have gone on before and unless Jesus returns in Glory before, we’ll go the same way. Memorial Day is not a day of sadness for me, although there are many that I miss, but it’s a day of gratitude. I’m so thankful that God’s Word is truth and that His plan is still unfolding. I’m thankful for…

The Saints

Hallelujah for the saints of God who have carried the Bible, the blood and the blessed hope throughout the ages and refused to fall into line with the modernists and liberals who continually try to water down the gospel by preaching a feel good religion. Many have laid down their lives, faced persecution and put their all on the line by walking and talking what the Bible says in the face of strong adversity. It takes gumption to stand for the Bible. I thank God for the memories of my Father sitting with his Bible across his knees day after day. Following his own salvation he read his King James Bible and taught it for 50 years and it never grew old. It is so relevant today that it reads like a Sunday morning newspaper! Praise God for Saints who carry on!

The Soldiers

Thank you Jesus for the soldiers. The men and women of America who have fought for the freedom so many take for granted and treat with utter disrespect. When my Dad returned home from World War II, he came back to a country that rejoiced in his return and saluted his service. Service men and women fly in and out of our country every day without fanfare or recognition for their contribution of keeping us safe and defending the rights of those who use that right to mock the freedom they’re given here. It makes little sense to me. But I am so thankful and humbled that there are still those who fight for the freedom I hold dear. Praise God for the Soldiers who carry on!

Most of All the Savior

Memorial Day is important to God too. He instituted Memorial Day long before it became a commercialized day on the calendar with family cookouts and celebrations. God taught the saints of old how important it was to mark the events of deliverance; he knew they’d need to draw upon that strength. It’s like a bank account for hope when we lose it all. A time that we can reflect upon what God has brought His people through and that He’s still on the throne ready to do it again for us! Memorial Day is a great day to visit the gravesite of Jesus and look at Victory in the empty tomb. It’s a day of celebrating that great hope we have in seeing our loved ones again and joining them in a place where there will be no more war, persecution and death! Praise God Who carries on!

I pray your weekend is filled with an attitude of gratitude in memorial for all the Lord has done, for the Saints who have carried the gospel to us through the years, and for the Soldiers who defend our freedom. Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized

Caution! God at Work

Written by talk2shari Published May 24, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Heartache and sorrow are never in short supply. Turn on the news or scroll through a few Facebook posts and you’ll see every shape and kind from local, national to world levels. Some of them created by nature, others self-inflicted, many just happenstances of life, but all with purpose. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

All things work…

Life is a process. It is seldom seen until afterwards the intricate details that God worked into and through a circumstance in life to bring a specific event to pass. But it’s always amazing! Words that I gleaned from Psalm 46:1 this morning is “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” God is always present, but in times of trouble He is “very present!” That’ll put a shout in your soul! He is as close as a breath away waiting for you to run into His arms (our refuge) and allow Him to carry the burden (our strength). It is not by accident that we turn to God in times of duress. The Bible is full of examples of both times when God used struggles to turn a wayward soul back to Him or allow a discouraged soul to see His power.

Our lives are much like a construction site, but rather than seeing the sign “men at work” you’ll see the sign “God at work.” He makes His presence known. He’ll place barriers to prevent you from going over a cliff (or making a bad decision). He’ll create a mudslide of events that will have you on a fast slope that seemingly leads to nowhere, only to have you end up standing somewhere thinking, “Wow, that’s my God!” That invisible hardhat you’re wearing is the helmet of salvation. You see, God takes care of His own…

“To them that love God” there is a purpose in all things.

What if you don’t know God? Then you need a hardhat!

~ Admit you’re a sinner and you have a debt to pay. – Romans 3:23
~ Believe that Jesus paid that debt, once and for “all”. – Romans 6:23
~ Confess (meaning to agree) that Jesus was crucified for your sin, arose the third day and now is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you. – Romans 10:9-10
~ Decide. Heaven or Hell. It’s that simple.

God did not promise there would be no heartache in the lives of those who serve Him. But He did promise He’d be a very present help! Woohoo! It’s great having a friend in a high place. Do you know Him?

Posted in Uncategorized

A Pearl Positioned by Appointment

Written by talk2shari Published May 22, 2013March 31, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

Matthew 13:44-46 ~ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

It is estimated that out of three tons of pearl oysters, only about three of them will have a perfectly-formed pearl. Given everything that is required in order for a pearl to develop, it’s not surprising that so few are produced. An oyster’s shell is made from an organ called the mantle. Using minerals from the oyster’s food as an energy source, the mantle expands, which leads to the shell’s growth. The interior of the shell is lined with a material called nacre, which is also produced by the mantle. In order for a pearl to develop, an irritant–typically a parasite of some sort–must situate itself between the oyster’s shell and mantle. When this particle sets in, it irritates the oyster and, in an effort to protect itself, the mantle begins to cover the foreign object with layers of nacre. As time passes, these layers eventually form a pearl. Typically, this takes about three to five years. (This according to ehow.com)

Is it any wonder real pearls are so costly! A jewel in the house of the Lord is much the same. Out of the congregation of the Lord it is said that only 10% are doing the actual work of the ministry, for which I tend to agree from my travels. They are rare and priceless. It is not to say that many others are not beautiful people making great contribution, but the pearls are those hand selected by God out of an ocean of possibilities.

They’ve gotten there through great irritation!

Be successful in leadership and you’ll understand completely how that pearl gets formed. Every struggle in the ministry, attack of Satan, complaint from the people, personal struggle, sickness and distraction is an irritant that has to be covered. There’s work to be done. So sometimes you wear a “slimy” smile that feels icky but it covers up the pain in your core. And before long that problem is smoothed over and you can rest a while until another issue arises and another layer of kindness or understanding is needed to get through. And much like that iridescent shine created on the pearl as layer after layer of nacre are made, a successful leader begins to shine too.

Successful leaders are not people who have their world completely in hand and under control. Oh contraire! Many, if not most that I know, are exactly the opposite. They have the same issues as everyone else if not worse but they choose to put them aside for the greater cause; which is the people of God and service to the Lord.

They’ve gotten there through many intervals

True leadership is not appointed by position, it’s positioned by appointment. It takes experience to be a leader, and most of those experiences have been a divine appointment from the Creator to train His leaders. Often times because of the politics of the day people are appointed into positions they are not qualified to have, and it inevitably wreaks havoc on an organization. It takes time to become a great leader.

They’re not imitations

Man can create a pearl that looks almost as lovely as the real deal, but the real pearls are rare, priceless, heavily sought and have gotten to that point by years of heartache and struggle. Successful leaders are those who use the irritants of life as a polish their personalities. They identify with and understand the struggles of those they lead because they’ve been there. Just as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does.

Are you a pearl of great price? Perhaps you’re still in the formation stage. Use those irritants of life to polish yourself into a leader that can be used for the Kingdom’s glory. Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized

The Potter’s Shed

Written by talk2shari Published May 16, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Jeremiah 18:11 ~ Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

The Word of God preceding this verse are those of the clay on the Potter’s wheel. (see Jer. 18:1-6) I love that story! As an artist I love the creation process of a piece of art. It breaks my heart though when I invest a good amount of time into a project and then goof it up. From that point forward my heart has left the project and my “*mango” personality has already started envisioning my next project.

That is not God’s way.

When God puts a piece of clay on the Potter’s wheel he begins shaping it and pulling away the unnecessary portions of clay and sculpting it into a one of a kind art piece ready to be fired in the kiln. If an abnormality appears in the vessel, He removes it and begins again to form that piece of art. Goodness gracious how many time has God had to reshape me into that abstract form and begin turning me again into the vessel you see today. Which quite frankly is always one step from having to be returned to that wheel and begun again.

But in verse 11, God is passed the Potter’s wheel. I think Israel has gotten on His last nerve again and He says to them “I frame evil against you.” Perhaps it’s the Potter’s shed. When you frame up a building it means you’re putting down roots, you plan on staying a while. It was a final warning from God saying, (to Shari quote it) “I’ve laid the framework to box you in. If you continue to stay on this path, it will not end well and you’ll be there a while. But if you choose to turn back I’ll stop the construction.”

Every day I see evil, but every day I see good. I believe it is “that goodness” (and only in the sense of spiritual goodness) that God has not finished the Potter’s shed. He sees our work. He sees a remnant of believers that are willing to stay on the wheel and conform for Him. But… if things continue going in the direction they’re going; if Americans continue to keep their mouths shut while our government makes a mockery out of the constitution and the men and women who have died for it, I fear construction on the shed will begin again soon.

I am an optimist, I am a visionary. I want to see the good and I believe in my heart that our nation could turn back. But as a child of God I have to be real. I have write what is on my heart this morning and it is the same warning that Jeremiah gave the children of Israel is due to us. Hop on the Potter’s wheel this morning and shout “I’m here Lord! Mold me.”

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? When I speak of my *Mango personality it refers to a seminar that I do to help churches and businesses work more cohesively as a team. If everyone were optimist and there were no pessimist, there would not be balance. So, how about it? Are you lookin’ for the good, or focused on the evil? Either way, hop on the wheel!

Posted in Uncategorized

A Heart Like That

Written by talk2shari Published May 14, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

I Kings 3:12

Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart;

A Heart Like That…

That’s my desire. To be able to look at a situation and discern God’s desire. Too often (way too often!) I am self-centered and so Shari focused that I fail to see what it is around me that God could bless and use for His glory. Solomon was so humbled that God had used his family, that he was second generation to the throne, the son of the mighty David, and possibly, (and I really hadn’t caught this until now) a little insecure! Wow! Maybe Solomon and I have something in common after all.

Solomon had surely seen the wins and losses of his father. He knew that it wasn’t going to be easy to follow in the footsteps of a man so loved by his people and favored by the Lord. I have to wonder what an evening might have been like in the home of King David, where the conversations may have gone… I wonder if Solomon had watched or perhaps knelt beside his dad and listened as he prayed those prayers that caused God to say “he was a man after My own heart.” I wonder if he had watched his father embrace a selfish desire only to weep in earnest repentance later. His parents’ affair had caused him to have an older brother he would not know until Heaven, he’d seen and heard of God’s judgment first hand. No wonder as he prepared his heart to sit on the throne his desire was to be able discern right from wrong, he’d certainly seen his father’s struggle with it!

A heart like that… what would it look like on any given day? It’s not always easy. Sometimes it requires going against the status quo or stepping outside your comfort zone. Solomon’s first decision after this was to determine the truth between two harlot women on the matter of who’s child had died and who’s had lived. And how did he decide? The same way God does, he tested their hearts. He knew the true mother would never allow harm to come to her child.

Today, God may test your heart. Will you pass? When it comes to making a decision will you decide with godly wisdom or selfish desire? Owch… stepped on my own toe there. I have to wonder, and pray that I am a child after God’s own heart…