Category: Evangelism

Posted in Christian Service, Evangelism, Life Inspiration

How to avoid a perverse Gospel

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Galatians 1:8-12 KJVS

[8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. [10] For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. [11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

In twenty five years of following Jesus Christ, I can assure you I have been lead astray more than a time or two on the subject of the gospel. Especially in those early years. I would listen to any thing that had the name of Jesus Christ attached to it. My curiosity was insane. I wanted to learn every thing I could  and right now. That made me an easy target for the accursed.

Accusations of the Accursed

The definition of accursed in the 1928 Webster dictionary is: Separated from the faithful; cast out of the church; excommunicated.

That’s a pretty strong action! Twice in Galatians 1, Paul said to let them be accursed. But that is what the apostle Paul meant by the seriousness of what these people were doing with the gospel of Christ. They were making grace of no effect in the lives of people He died for by adding works. I understand where the confusion comes from, I’ve been there. And the people I was listening to, were not evil people. At least not all of them, there were a few that I’m pretty sure were devils in disguise. But most were simply put, religious. Believing that surely to goodness man had to contribute something.But that is not the case. And although I am an independent Baptist by church title (IBC), I’ve had issues with IBC from the get go, but much of it I chocked up to my rebellious nature. My issues have never been with their viewpoint of salvation, they believed saved by grace alone, they just occasionally add a few works to whether you’re worthy to be in church.

John Gill’s commentary said this: the doctrine which attributes justification to the works of the law, or mixes grace and works in the business of salvation, which was the doctrine of these false teachers, is no Gospel; not truly so, however it may be called; nor does it bring any solid peace and joy to distressed minds. There is but one pure Gospel of the grace of God, and Christ, and his apostles; there is not one and another; there is but one faith, one doctrine and scheme of faith; the Gospel is single and uniform, all of a piece, has no yea and nay, or contradiction in it; this trumpet gives no uncertain sound, nor any dreadful, but a joyful one:

The phrase “distressed mind” was what really caught my attention. That is certainly what religion does! If I have to wear certain things, do certain things, speak certain ways and act certain ways it is for certain I am stressed! I’m going to mess that up somehow because thats not who I am, or who God created me to be. I know that there are some IBC people who would strongly disagree, and that’s okay. Me and Jesus love you anyway. 

The Jews were adding circumcision and feast days and many of the works of the law back into the grace of God. Tell me how that differs from religion of today? You may have to be an IBC to understand what I’m about to say, but tell me the difference between culottes and shorts? The only difference I see is culottes are ugly! I’ve probably just been excommunicated. Not from my church but the IBC group chat. 😂🤣😂I crack myself up! 

It is unfortunate that I can think of many other acts of works that I’ve seen in many denominations. One is no greater offense than than the other to the grace of God. Anything required of man to be considered good enough to attend church is works. If you want to keep any law God said you have to keep all of it. All 613 of them.

Right now, my goal is to get people to church!  To get people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and understand that He is the only one that has the authority to judge them.

Now, with that being said, He will judge you. You will stand before Christ and answer for what you’ve done for Him. If you’ve accepted Christ’s crucifixion as payment for your sin, you’re saved and your sin is covered. You have nothing else to do for salvation. But He did not save you to sit on a shelf or in a pew, look pretty and make godly potato salad for church dinners. He saved you to serve with humility and to any position He calls you to do. 

I wish God gave me the position of appointing positions, but He did not. That’s His trumpet to blow and yours to hear. 

So as for the perverse doctrines of man, I won’t make any more lists, just a thought: kick worldly ideologies out of the church first. Then perhaps people will see the truth that Jesus saves anyone.

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Evangelism, Leadership, Life Inspiration

God Said They’d be Days Like This

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This is the third day in a row that I’ve woken up angry. Monday was as a teacher, Tuesday I was angry with David (who has been making me breakfast in bed multiple times this week, so don’t tell him; and then this morning I woke up angry at a Preacher from Wadsworth, Ohio who I adore. All three times were because of the dreams that I had, that were so vivid I would have sworn they were real. The reasoning behind each one upsetting my soul was that the characters in the dreams weren’t doing what they were supposed to do. Teacher didn’t teach, David (I really don’t know what he didn’t do, I just know he made me mad, you know, it’s a Mr. and Mrs. thing.) And this morning, the preacher didn’t preach. 

In my dream I had been so excited to hear this preacher preach that I skipped my own church homecoming. Well, that wouldn’t happen in real life, but it happened in this dream. When I got there, I was ready to hear the word of God! But what I got was the same thing I got from the teacher on Monday. Gibberish. No gospel, just ear pleasing words for the world. I left the service defeated and confused as to why this gospel preaching preacher had gone by the world’s standards and given up sound doctrine. 

Why indeed? 

Do I think it’s a sign? Yes, that I need to talk to my Doc about my meds, but other than that, not really. It does give cause for concern, because both the teacher and the preacher are positions of great power and authority as well as accountability. Some school board officials might want to think about that, and what they’ll stand accountable for exposing our children to, just saying.   There are some people with a calling to teach, and there are some people who answered someone else’s phone! Why do cranky, nasty, intolerant people become teachers?

As for preachers, a real honest to goodness preacher is appointed by God, not man. But as is the case in many other aspects of life, man has assumed the role of God, or so they think. They’ve actually assumed the role of the god of this world, Satan. Which is why I woke up angry. 

When Paul spoke to the worldly church of Corinth, he gave this warning:

2 Corinthians 4:1-5 KJVS

[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; [2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.

The Ministry

We have this ministry… Yes indeed we do! And these are exciting times. While every age lives in an age that no one has lived in before, the current age is like watching the words of the gospel play out on a movie screen. For the saved it should be obvious that we need to be busy getting people saved, and when you speak with active church folk that’s what they believe, but there’s not any action on the screen. It’s as if we’re just sitting in the Theatre waiting for the actors to show up. But we’re the actors!  

Paul said “we” have this ministry. There are no other players showing up this season, we’re it. And we’ve got to get busy. 

The Mercy

Mercy is the driving force for me. When I look back on the mercy the Lord has bestowed on me in my lifetime, I am beyond in awe that He would go to such extremes for a failure such as a I. I have let Him down on so many occasions I’m surprised He hasn’t just kicked me to the curb and gotten a new Jesus Chick. I repeatedly say “I’m struggling,” and yet I do very little to fix it. I know some things need to change in my life, but I’ve found multiple excuses to leave them the same. Can anyone else identify with me? Oxen aren’t the only critters that fall in ditches. People do too. And I seem to have been stuck in a ditch lately trying to wiggle my way out but low and behold I just bury myself deeper. 

I need mercy!

Saturday morning as I was doing laundry in my wonderful new machine (that I love) I noticed that the sheets had balled up and I decided to un-ball them. In my great wisdom I opened the front loading washer door, bent over at face level, and pulled the sheets apart. Sheets filled with bleach and detergent… at face level. I suddenly had massive chest pain. I’m not exaggerating the massive part. It took my breath away… or was it the bleach I asked myself. The pain radiated into my back and rather than calling 911, I called my husband David. My go to for times of stress. He told me to go to the hospital, but I didn’t think it was necessary. I told you I need mercy! So he talked to me for a few minutes and I sat in the chair for about an hour until the pain stopped…. No wait it didn’t stop.  To which my conclusion was if it were a heart attack I’d have already died. I’m not making this stuff up, this is what goes on in my head. This is why I had three heart attacks and the Lord extended me mercy in 2018. Mercy in the form of open heart surgery. Which still didn’t teach me a lesson. 

I told you that, not to let you know how very ignorant I am, but to tell you there was some bargaining with God in the waiting room of my pain.

“God, please don’t let this be a heart attack, I have work to do.   There are people I need to see saved, and people I need to tell about Jesus, and I know I’m stupid, and You know I’m stupid. Please have mercy…”

I won’t say that’s verbatim, but it’s close. And I feel the same way a few days after the pain has stopped. I feel the urgency to tell people about Jesus.

The Message

The message is hid from people because Satan has blinded them to see what spiritual minds can see. What a privilege to be among those who can see. Do we understand that privilege? I doubt it. I know too many people who profess salvation but have no desire to share the gospel. That glorious message for which we’ve been given, we are the elite of the Lord and yet we choose to sit at the mercy seat of God and plead for more time that we’re not promised. Not one time in my arm chair pleading did I hear the Spirit say, “okay Shari, you have more time.” No, all I heard was the sound of my pleading.

So this morning as I finish this blog, I’m pleading with myself, and I’m pleading with you, Let’s get busy today. Our ministry is to share the Message… God be merciful unto us and send us souls to share to. Love you all. Mean it for realsies. Shari.

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration

The Greatest of Educators

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I watched yesterday as someone touted their own greatness because of a college degree. I’m not making light of the hard work that is applied to getting a degree, but what complicates this subject for me is when people pay good money for their minds to be corrupted by worldly educators who teach self focus and ungodly principles to live by.  If you disagree that is fine, and if you survived unscathed by higher education I praise God for that, and this blog isn’t even about the worldly education system. Today is brought to you by the Holy Spirit. The best, and only worthwhile Educator that currently resides in this world. 

Titus 2:1 KJVS

[1] But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

This world is so corrupt that I have no doubt that even the most pure of mind struggles. For the record, that’s not me. I struggle on a good day. Scroll two seconds on social media and something corrupt will be before your eyes and ears. Then one might ask, why do you expose yourself to it? Because mingled in with the world of tares is a bushel of wheat that loves Jesus. 

Matthew 13:25 KJVS

[25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

This is why it’s so important to stay in the word of God. It is pure and undefiled. It is full of nothing but truth and righteousness and through it the Holy Spirit speaks to us and gives us the greatest of all education. Because of it, I can live in this world and look out at the vast fields of earth, and see God’s goodness and I can continue on in sound doctrine, knowing that I am privileged to have unlimited knowledge dwelling within my soul. Is that not the wildest, most wonderful thought? For someone who wrestles with self worth, the Holy Spirit is a touch of Heaven. As I wrote this morning I didn’t feel “less.” Because He makes me feel “more.” He gives me purpose in the day which is to tell the world what Jesus has done in my life. Not to “tout” my own achievements, but to glorify God.

So this morning I speak the sound things that have become sound doctrine in my life and will serve to protect me from the evil of the day. 

Were it not for Grace…

Titus 2:11-15 KJVS

[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

I cannot look at the word grace without seeing the acronym “God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.” The wealth of God given to “all” men by their acceptance of what His Son did for them on the cross. It’s so simple, which is why so many in the world have trouble accepting it. It allows no room for their works or their glory which is what the world teaches us to seek. Humility is not the new black. It’s never been an “in” color. And I love color! Imagine the joy that Joseph had when his father gave him the coat of many colors that aggravated his brothers. 

Genesis 37:3 KJVS

[3] Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

They knew Joseph was the favorite and viewed him as a threat. The same reason Satan has sought to destroy Jesus from birth and men and women of the world would rather have religion than the relationship. Religion puffs a soul up, relationship with Christ humbles the heart.

Were it not for Hope…

[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

Every day I’m looking and listening for the trump of God to sound. I want it now, but also later. I have family and friends who do not know Christ and when the trumpet sounds, and the church disappears from off this earth, my heart sinks in the knowledge that they’ll know why we’re gone. They’ll know because they’ve heard me talk about it. There will be many people on this earth who won’t know because they’ve either failed to hear, or they’ve never been told of what’s coming, or should I say Who’s coming in the clouds of Glory!

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJVS

[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Were it not for Hope they’d be no comfort.

Were it not for Redemption…

[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. [15] These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Talk about an expensive education. Mine cost Jesus His life. How dare I allow anyone to look down at me or despise me when the Creator of all the universe gave His life for mine. It is when my relationship with Christ suffers that my self worth suffers. If I’m not reading the word or being encouraged through preaching and other gospel means, I’m a walking target for Satan and his minions to pummel my mind with vile thoughts. And so are you!

An education should lead to purpose. Too many Christians get saved and then begin the wait for Christ’s return. But rather than serving they just sit. They sit in church on Sunday morning, and if they’re die hard’s they’re back on Sunday night and Wednesday. They sit in Sunday School to learn the word, but seldom use the knowledge. I guess they’ll stand before God one day and hope to recite it. And God will pat them on the head and send them skipping down the streets of Heaven. I want to hear, “Well done thou good and faithful servant!” I want to hear God say, “Thank you for your zealousness!”

I hope this word comforted your heart in this trying world. I sure do love Jesus. And I sure do love you. 

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Evangelism, Grace, Leadership, Life Inspiration

The Word of God is Finished, Not the Work

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Titus 1:10-16 KJVS

[10] For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: [11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. [12] One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. [13] This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; [14] Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. [15] Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. [16] They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Religion has always left a bad taste in my mouth, but lately, it’s come to the point where I feel like the whale that swallowed Jonah. No wonder he finally puked him out on the ground… one can only take so much. This is the emotion I felt as someone described the current state of their church. (I’m going to claim righteous indignation on this one). I think God’s okay with my ire, after all, it is the souls of men dangling over hell while a preacher looks on, not wanting to hurt their feelings by preaching what thus saith the Lord. 

That was not the case in the letter from Paul to Titus, though the result is much the same. The prophet of which Paul spoke of is said to be a man named Epimenides. The commentary of John Gill said that in his (Epimenides) poems stand the words here cited; the apostle rightly calls him “one of themselves”, since he was a Cretian by birth, of the city of Gnossus; it is reported of him, that being sent by his father to his sheep in the field, he by the way, at noon, turned aside into a cave, and slept fifty seven years and he is very properly called a “prophet” of their own; for in Crete Jupiter had his prophets, and he might be one of them: the priests among the Heathens were called prophets; so Baal’s priests are called the prophets of Baal, and the prophets of the groves, 1 Kings 18:19. 

Epimenides was a judaizing Christian who mixed the works of Old Testament law with the grace of God. Paul warned Titus of the likes of men such as him and told him to call them out, (vs. 13). Would to God that this were the case today. But instead we sit idly by and watch as religious nonsense goes from one extreme to the other. 

I love encouraging people in the word of God, and the Bible certainly tells us to exhort one another. There is plenty of things to be exhorted by in the word of God, it is good news! But today as I focus my mind on being doctrinely sound, trying to be a responsible child of God, frustration mounts and I want to call out lying, evil beasts and slow bellies which is how I view anyone who is in a position of authority in a church (such as a Pastor), who stands before a congregation of God’s people with out regard or a feeling of responsibility or accountability for their souls and fails to tell them how to be saved. To the outside world they’re “good” people. But in reality they are a tool of Satan himself.

Did that word encourage you? I doubt it. But let it be for you, as it is for me this morning; a reminder that we too will stand before God accountable for what we’ve done with the word of God. Not just the Preacher. I’ve been scattered and lack with my blog because I’ve been tired and weary with life. That’s not an excuse, it’s just a fact. So as I read Paul’s charge to Titus, I couldn’t help but wonder what he would say to me as I debate what my role is in the church, and who is it that is coming up behind me? Who are the modern Titus’, Timothy’s, Aquila’s and Priscilla’s? The word of God is finished, but not the work. The names are now ours, and God is calling us out. That is a word of encouragement! 

If you run into a lying, evil beast of a slow belly, tell them what Jesus has done in your life. Perhaps, through your words they’ll desire to know the truth about God.

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Evangelism, Forgiveness, Life Inspiration

Are You Wearing Compassion

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Philemon 1:1 KJVS

[1] Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

I encourage you to take a few minutes of your day and read the book of Philemon if this blog stirs your soul. I think most of us can relate to an act of betrayal by someone we love. It doesn’t have to be an affair, it can be even the smallest of betrayals;  but any act by someone we love that shows a lack of consideration or respect for the depth of love in a relationship, hurts. For Philemon, this wasn’t a betrayal by a friend, or perhaps he was, but Onesimus the character for which Paul is writing, was a slave who had run away. That was a crime punishable by death. A crime every child of God is guilty of. 

The book of Philemon struck a chord with me today because of a need to forgive some people in my life. People who likely don’t even know, or care that I have ought against them. They’re not friends, they’re just acquaintances through someone else. But their actions hurt someone I love. So therefore, I ain’t happy. And if Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Or so they say. 🙂 Actually, that’s not true either. I generally don’t even let people know that Momma ain’t happy. Believing another of Paul’s theories of behavior in 2 Corinthians 2:1-2

[1] But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. [2] For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

But Philemon was such a good place for me to be in spiritually today. Reminding me that the world is need of the forgiveness of children of God. Those who understand the ultimate cost of it by Christ, else how will the world ever know there is a difference. 

What makes this story such a wonderful Christian reminder is the fact that a man of such great stature took the time to write a letter, while he was suffering in prison. He did so to defend a slave and seek out the compassion of his owner to treat the slave not as the piece of property he was, but as a brother in Christ, an equal to the owner. Glory to God that stirs my soul!!! 

Betrayal is harsh, personal and it cuts deep. How many times had Paul been betrayed? It didn’t matter to him, because he looked at the ultimate betrayal he himself had committed against the Lord and it’s where our spirit of forgiveness should come from. That is the chastisement I feel in my soul this morning. I know we’re all human, but humanity is not an excuse in the scope of eternity. While I can get in the flesh and say, “look what they’ve done!” I can just as easily get in the Spirit and say “look what I did.”

Paul knew that Philemon was within his rights as a slave owner to be upset with Onesimus. But he appealed to him not as a slave owner, but as one who had been freed from the bondage of sin in his own life. According to one commentary, there is evidence that a slave who was initiated into the owners religion was no longer a slave, but because of the common bond, was a free man. When Onesimus had left Philemon, he wasn’t a believer, but as God would have it, he met Paul and found his name written in a book of eternity, both on this earth and in Heaven. 

Are there people, who through our treatment of them, can be found to be written down in the book of Life because God made them a divine appointment with us? What if at that appointment we treated them like dung and they were forever lost? Will we not be held accountable? Paul both showed and taught compassion. For me today I have an assignment from the Lord, perhaps it’s yours too. Compassion, wear it well my friends.

Posted in Christian, Eternity, Evangelism, Life Inspiration, Purpose, Word of God

I’ve been reading Israel’s Mail

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Psalm 46, a Psalm I’ve heard quoted and one that I myself have quoted with little regard to the context. But with the current state of affairs in our Nation, suddenly scripture that once encouraged my gentile heart, now points my heart toward eternity and the word toward Israel. Our Pastor’s been doing an amazing study on end times and drawing our minds into the word of God, in ways that cause us to look at scripture, and wonder why it had not been so obvious before. 

Psalms has always been an attractive read for me because of its poetic nature. And that perhaps has been my downfall for understanding. I looked at the eloquence of the words more so than the meaning. With that compass pointing a solid north for me this morning, I delved into Psalm 46 as if I was reading it for the first time. 

Psalm 46:1-11 KJVS

[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 

Verse one may be one of the most quoted scriptures of all times. And for certain the application can be made to every child of God! He has never forsaken me in a day of trouble, for which I’ve had many. I would still put that on my wall today and call it good; but it’s not written to me. I’m reading Israel’s mail. When I have continued on to verse two, I’ve read it metaphorically. After all, I have yet to see the mountains of West Virginia carried into the sea. But there will come a day when this scripture will be in the literal sense; and those who read it then, who see it live and in action for themselves, will hang onto every word of God as if it’s a life raft, which it will be. Israel will be those people. 

 [3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. [4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 

The upheaval  we see in our nation and others now will be nothing compared to the upheaval of end times. The mountains referred to in this passage are metaphorically speaking of the  kingdoms and the water  speaks to peoples and nations as it does in Revelation 17:15

 Revelation 17:15 KJVS

[15] And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 

So the waters roaring in verse 3 are equivalent to the nations in uproar in verse 6.  We have witnessed in 2020 how quickly nation can turn against nation. How quickly the land of the free and the home of the brave  can become a nation of cowardly jailers who lock up or shut up anyone who disagrees. If you are a liberal of mind, you can say that  i’m wrong, but you can offer no evidence to back up your argument. If you happen to be a conservative who doesn’t believe me, give back your badge, you’re out of the club. 🤪 I brought that up as evidence to the quick changing of times for which we have been warned about. Living in denial (which I personally love) does not stop prophecy. Woah. That should be on a tee shirt. 

For reference I point to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 KJVS

[1] But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. [2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. [3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. [4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

As I continue on I read that the mountains shaking, tumbling, or dissolving (v2, 3, 6) are equivalent to kingdoms falling (v6). This is similar to the picture painted in Micah 1:3-4:

Micah 1:3-4 KJVS

[3] For, behold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. [4] And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.

If God Himself comes down out of the heavens, He whose hand can span the heavens, what damage might He do to the earth? When Jesus came to earth He came in the form of a man; the foot prints He left on this earth were of no greater stature than that of ordinary men. But end times is a game changer for the earth and God can return in any form He so chooses. Praise His holy name, the church will have been called home. Yes! I am pre-trib.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJVS

[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Now, on with my study…

[5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 

A new friend gave me a gift yesterday which is what drew me into his scripture. And it was this verse in particular. I adore gift, the giver and the scripture. God is in the midst of me, in m very soul and i shall not be moved! But in context this speaks to God being in the midst of Israel. Right in the thick of end times. There are those in this world that are naive enough to believe that they will have power over God’s people. Foolish, foolish mortals read the end of the book!

[6] The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. [7] The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. [8] Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. [9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. [10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. [11] The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Verse 10 is yet another verse we find on walls, bible covers and note cards. And yet i doubt there is any person on this earth that would want to live through whats happening when these verses are being played out. 

While reading, and receiving encouragement from the word of God is always a blessing, bible study and understanding will bring God’s purpose for it into perspective. So, even though i had always  opened Israel’s 🇮🇱 mail by mistake, it was good to read and reflect on how God used the psalmist to share prophecy that will encourage us to get busy for the King!

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Eternity, Evangelism, Grace, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Sharing God’s Bounty

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Here it is, 9:30 Tuesday morning and I’m just getting in tune with God. It’s not that I’ve been totally useless this morning, I did a little laundry folding, took a couple of grands to school after fixing them a highly nutritious breakfast…. Okay it was filled donuts,… but hey, they didn’t go to school hungry. So I consider that a win! My grandparenting skills are no better than my parenting skills, except I,m a tad calmer. Or perhaps I’ve confused calm with weak.

So my last few days went something like this… I left for Pennsylvania on Friday, turned a four hour drive into a five hour drive by getting lost,which was a win because of the fall country scenes.  I did a conference from 8 to 4 on Saturday and then drove home fours hours and fell in to bed. I got up at 6 am Sunday, did the bulletin and the PowerPoint and headed off to church where I taught Sunday school and met some favorite cousins from Florida for worship. Went to my sisters for lunch and then to a football game for my grandson, but only until it was time to leave for church. Went back to evening service and then home for a few hours before bed. I did five loads of laundry before 10 a.m. on Monday and then did my live feed on Facebook. Went and did an art project for my daughter at 11:30 and then off to the nursing home to sing at two p.m. Picked the grands up from school, fixed burgers and fries for supper collapsed for a few hours before bed and now I’ve pretty much filled you in on my life. 

I’d love to tell you that it’s not my norm, but it is. Which is why I found my mind in a weary place today. Not sad, not troubled… weary. Perhaps you feel my pain.

Paul felt it. And at a much more extreme level than myself. So to myself, I say, “Suck it up buttercup.”

REAPIN’ AND SOWIN’

Galatians 6:8-14 KJVS

[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. [9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 

It is sad to say, that there were many wasted hours within my days. Time that I could have invested much wiser. I know God understands but for all my well doing, I’m a hot mess more often than not. So how can I refresh this weary soul? This morning I’m looking at Paul’s advice to the Galatians and trying to imagine if he had dropped by my house along the way to encourage me. Can you imagine! 

It feels a little like that as I read his words. He has put the prize of life everlasting before me and said. “ Don’t grow weary! There’s going to be plenty of time to rest on the other side. As fast as time is flying down here, I know he’s right, but there needs to be some hoeing to go with that reaping and sowing.

HEAPIN’ AND HOEIN’

[10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. [11] Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. [12] As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. [13] For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

When I think of gardening (since I am an experienced farmer now 😂) part of the fun is having a bounty to share. I can’t say that my two 8×12 foot  patches heaped enough to share, but spiritually speaking can I say that I have heaped enough of the word of God into my soul and hoed the ground around it.  I know my metaphorical speaking is tough this morning but it’s where I’m at! How well have I tilled the ground when it comes to in depth study so that I have a good root foundation to make a harvest. 

Paul’s words have me pondering that. I want to study harder so that when I speak it’s with a greater passion and less weariness. Part of the reason I am so weary is the guilt I put upon myself for being so unproductive, and yet, that’s part of what Paul warned about when he pointed them to the religious crowd insisting upon circumcision. Works make us weary. But building our relationship with God and His people is a worthy invigorating harvest. 

My life is BUSY! But this mornings focus on tilling my own ground has renewed my Spirit. I pray you find some time to focus on God today too!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Evangelism, Faith, Uncategorized

Have you thanked your Pastor?

Written by talk2shari Published



October is Pastor Appreciation month! Have you shown your Pastor the appreciation they deserve?There is so much more to be being a Pastor than most of the congregation understands, which is primarily because most people only think about the Pastor one day a week, unless there is a wedding, funeral or illness.  If you ask many people how many days a week they believe their pastor to work, they’d say one or two. Again, a misunderstanding on the life of a Pastor. 

I have the advantage of knowing Pastor’s from all across the globe. There is certainly a difference in how the ministry is approached dependent upon the region the Pastor lives in. America is a blessed Nation, but even here geographical location matte rs. My Pastor moved from a larger city in Florida to very, very rural West Virginia. His prior location had more people in one city than we have in our entire county. Our population is less than 7000 and it’s scattered throughout paved and unpaved roads. My friend Dewey who lives in the vastly populated city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, traveled four hours on a Sunday morning to get to a church in a scarcely populated area. Four hours!!! What would cause a man to do that? A Pastor’s heart. 

In the King Jams version of the Bible I looked up the word “pastor” for relevant texts to begin my journey into today’s post. 

The word “Pastor” is only mentioned nine times throughout the entire bible. (Yes there are other variations, but the title Pastor only nine times) and eight of those were in the book of Jeremiah. Six of those eight verses are not in a favorable light! The final verse is Ephesians 4:11

Ephesians 4:11 KJVS

[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

With the charge to follow in verse 12

Ephesians 4:12 KJVS

[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Perfecting doesn’t mean to make us perfect without sin, but rather equipping us with what we need to continue on in this world. That doesn’t sound like a part time job to me! Not in the world we live in. God didn’t just give Pastor’s that responsibility, He added ministers of the gospel to the work as well and all to feed the body of Christ. A call to my own life through Pastor’s who rightly divide the word of God.

Yesterday afternoon I went to the Nursing Home to minister in song to the residents. Because of Covid I’m no longer allowed to interact with the residents. I walk through a back entrance into the hallway of the unit and sit in a chair with a microphone that is tapped into headsets on the long term care as they sit in their rooms. It’s not ideal for me, but at least I’m there. As I sang a little lady popped her head out of her room which was on my end of the hall. She whispered, “can I set with you?” I motioned to a chair sitting across the hall from me and told her I wouldn’t tell if she wouldn’t. I had forgotten my usual repertoire of songs, so I had borrowed their “heavenly highway hymn” book and was content to sing from it. She sang every tune with me and tapped her little foot and it was such joy to be apart of her day if only for a few minutes. I’m not a Pastor, but I am a minister and privileged to be so. 

When a Pastor “perfects” the body of Christ, he’s equipping them to go out and minister the gospel as well. 

The problem Jeremiah had in his day, is the same problem we have in churches across the country today. Jeremiah gave warning in Jeremiah 23:2 KJVS

[2] Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.

There’s plenty of fault to go around both from lazy congregations and lazy pastors as to why the church hasn’t kept the true calling as Paul described in Ephesians. I’m not pointing fingers (today anyway) I’m just throwing this thought out in hopes of dinging a few church bells. We need to thank our Pastor’s and Praise God for those who work in the labor of the Lord. Who understand the accountability for souls and take it serious. We need to encourage each other to share the work load… and it is a load of work!

Every day is another opportunity to examine our lives and see what we can do to improve our relationship with the Lord. Today, we can start by taking a few minutes to thank the preacher. Get the love train going for our church leaders!!!  

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Evangelism, failure, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Jesus Knows Where You Are

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Why is it that the children of God never learn? Again and again we go through life faithing and failing. Yes, I know faithing is not a word, but hey, the world makes up new words every day, why not us? One day we’ll have mountain faith, and the next day it wouldn’t take up the corner inside a mustard seed. Or do I speak of myself alone? I’m certainly in that boat! Anytime I need a reminder of faith and failure I almost inevitably go to a passage about my friend Peter. I kind of feel sorry for the guy! He is so often preached on for his examples of failures, but the man lead thousand to the Lord! Oh to be a Simon Peter!

But the scripture that caught my eye this morning was another of Peter’s failures. Literally caught with his pants down in a boat of backslidden boys. 

John 21:1-14 KJVS

John 21:1-4 KJVS
[1] After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. [2] There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. [3] Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Distance Learning:

Perhaps it was the distance between the boat and land, or perhaps their minds were not in a place that caused them to recognize the Lord; but none the less, they didn’t know it was Jesus. That’s what happens when you drift further and further away from God. Trust me, I speak as a woman of experience. I allow the world to drag me down spiritually until I’m feeling like an empty gum wrapper and of no use to anyone, before I finally realize it’s because I’ve been drifting toward them, not toward Christ. 

Part of the reason my mind has been scattered of late is the fact (without regret) that my grandchildren need me more. They are in remote learning because of the virus again and I am the shuttle between them and getting things done while their parents are at work. Remote… Distance learning. I’ll just tell you, it doesn’t work for public school children. It gives me great respect for home schoolers. It does not give me love for the public education institution because they’re getting paid to do a job they’re not doing, whether by circumstance or not. And the children are suffering. They are too far away from the teachers and it doesn’t work.

A lesson that could be learned by the child of God. If we’re not spending time with the Master, we are ripe for the picking of an angry world that wants to have us for lunch. 

Distracted Leadership

[5] Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. [6] And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. [7] Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

I’m not sure why Peter was naked, but that had to have been one of those “Oh crap” moments in his life when he realized he’d just been busted by the Lord. Oh my stars, how I can relate. Not that I’ve been naked in a boat, nobody needs that image! But I’ve certainly been away from the Lord and then suddenly realized that He knew where I was at all along. He constantly rings the dinner bell for His children. Come and dine, come and dine… can you hear Him saying that to us? I sure can. All He wants to do is spend time with us and we continually struggle between the distractions of the world’s calling and His. I am dinging my own bell this morning! 

Delivered Lunch

What an amazing Lord we serve! He knew Peter was in the boat naked, and he knew that it was Peter’s idea to take everyone fishing rather than to be doing the work of the Lord. And yet, there is the Lord, fixing lunch on the bank of the sea. He does the same for us. I feel as though I’ve just had a full course meal as I read His word and devour it like honey. My time with Him is always sweetness to the soul and blessing in abundance, just as it was to the disciples.

[8] And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. [9] As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. [10] Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. [11] Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. [12] Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. [13] Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. [14] This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Nobody questioned the delivery guy. They knew it was the Lord! This was the third time they’d seen Him alive after they’d seen Him crucified. Would not that be shock and awe every time? I can’t imagine getting over it, and I’d like to say I can’t imagine forgetting it, and yet, I do. I know the power of the resurrection because I’ve felt it in my life again and again and again. And yet I will fall away from the Lord the same number of times. Here is the Lord, on the bank preparing lunch for His friends who are neglecting their ministry and have gone fishing. Except their not catching anything. Can I just remind myself right now that there will be fishes in the net of a child of God away from the Lord and not giving due diligence to the ministry the Lord has entrusted us with. Amen? Amen Shari.

A few verses later, we hear the Lord ask Peter:

[15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Lovest thou me, Shari? I hear it this morning. 

Lovest thou me reader? Can you hear Him?

It’s time to get busy…

Posted in Christian, Evangelism, Life Inspiration, salvation, Word of God

The Passion of Stupidity

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1 Corinthians 15:32-43 KJVS

[32] If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. [33] Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. [34] Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

I’m not sure of the beasts that Paul fought, according to one online commentary (one that simplified it enough for my understanding- I’ll speak to that later). But the beast of this passage were described as follows:  By wild beasts he means men, gross and savage in wickedness. Heraclitus called the Ephesians θήρια. If we refer to Acts 19. we shall find that certain men were entitled to the designation. We read of them “being full of wrath,” of the whole city “filled with confusion,” of some “crying out one thing and some another.” They seem to have been bereft of reason and given up to the wildest fury of passion. – D. Thomas, D.D. 

Welcome to America. Have you ever seen such passion of stupidity? Morally bankrupt and daft with confusion people who have princess issues. Entitlement, angry over anything and everything and nothing that they can even defend, bereft of reason! Oh my stars, was this commentary prophetic to today?

I seldom tweet on twitter, but because I have the app on my phone it notifies me when people of interest tweet something of importance and I’ll occasionally check it out. Yesterday a preacher I follow tweeted and upon checking it out, it lead me down a dark path of the American leftists who opposed the Pastor’s ministry. They are clueless as to the difference between humanity and perversion. People who are more concerned with the make-up and manicure styles of the male Whitehouse marketing specialist 🤢 than the current state of affairs in Afghanistan. Nancy Pelosi, a woman third inline to the Presidency, worked feverishly this week, according to the press, to try and  insure her leftist agenda was passed; while thousands of Americans are in harms way because our Nation turned their back on them and “abandoned” them in a foreign country. But only after they stirred up a hornets nest with the Taliban because of their passion for stupidity when it comes to dabbling in evil communications. 

Why have Americans allowed traitorous behavior to go unchecked? I have to believe that is the question on the minds of those facing a firing squad in Afghanistan. People, like those of whom Paul dealt with in his day and was eventually beheaded by.  

Paul said it was “to their shame” that they knew not God. He was speaking to the church in Corinth. Could he make that statement just as easily to the churches across the country we live in? I have to wonder. It’s an evident fact that our country is in the state it’s in because of the evil around and in  Washington DC. Not all those politician are corrupt, but far more are, than are not, because they’re all exposed to the corrupt. They either communicate with it, or ignore it, but none of them kick it out! What about the church? I personally know preachers who have stopped preaching on sin, but rather preach messages of “encouragement and spiritual enlightenment” to pacify people who refuse to call sin what it is. 

I have what I believe to be righteous rages and holy hostility approved by God because I’m not angry for me. I’m angry that they’ve once again made God’s house a “den of thieves,” but not of their money but rather their souls.  Listen to Paul as he describes how they question the resurrection: 

[35] But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? [36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: [37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain : [38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. [39] All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. [40] There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. [41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

They were so concerned about the resurrection that they forgot about the life they live. I won’t say that’s the case today, because I’m not sure how many churches understand the resurrection or that there’s even going to be one. How can they when their Pastor’s aren’t preaching the gospel? I have a friend who says I’m bolder than most pastors he knows and that is extremely worrisome because I don’t consider myself bold. There are many occasions when I clamp my mouth shut for fear of offending. Not on this blog, because I pay for this space and this is my domain. But in the world… I’m hesitate. Not for fear of people who disagree, I expect that, but for fear of confrontation of those who should agree and are deceived. 

Paul calls the people of Ephesus fools! No fear on him. He remind them that seed that is sown God has encapsulated it in it’s very own body. And when He brings it back to life, it is once again in a living version of that body. The seeds of earth are then harvested and resown again. And so will it be with man. The bodies that have been planted in the earth will be harvested by the Lord and we will stand before Him. I’m not concerned with what kind of body I’m going to have in glory, I’m only concerned that I’m going to be in Glory! Glorrrraaaaaay what a day that will be. But not for those who “know not God.” For this world so passionate about stupidity and worldly vain things that have nothing to do with eternity they too will live forever, but not in Heaven. They’re going to bust the gates of Hell wide open because there are too few preaching the gospel. 

I pray to God all who read this are either in a Bible Preaching Church that rightly divides the word of God or you’re looking for one. That commentary that I previously mentioned, I read multiple others that were “so deep” you’d have had to dig to China to find the truth in it. I don’t have time for that. Any commentary that is “that deep,” I have to wonder if God is in it. God made scripture to where the common man could understand and be saved. If you’re not preaching and teaching it plain enough for the average Joe and Jane and understand, you may have a passion for stupidity. Because the people for whom you teach may leave as dumb as they came. Just saying.