Posted in Bible Journaling, Faith, Uncategorized

How to Survive the “Not Yet” Moments

Written by talk2shari Published April 11, 2017April 11, 2017 Discussion Leave a Comment

There was a group of Jesus’ brethren, said to be distant relatives of Mary’s, who didn’t believe He was the Christ. They desired proof that He was or proof that He wasn’t. I know folks like that. But Jesus’ response to them was “Not yet.” I don’t believe curiosity in Christ is a motive God cares to honor. God has nothing to prove. And yet continually mankind tries to prove that He is or is not who He says He is.

In times of trouble my weakened flesh will seek to prove God’s power by pulling me out of what I consider to be a fiery furnace. But I can feel the Holy Spirit roll His eyes and say “Seriously Shari… that compares to a fiery furnace like the ankle deep creek on Philips Run compares to the Grand Canyon. I certainly make light of scripture sometimes. Rather than in a fiery furnace I am perhaps in an Easy Bake Oven where God is seeing how I withstand the heat. I’d rather be removed like a half-baked cookie but God’s leaving me in until I’m golden brown and firm in His foundation. It’s a trying time. But timer still says “not yet.”

Jesus’ brethren desired that He go to the feast of the Jews in town and prove himself in front of -the religious leaders and the naysayers of the day. But Jesus wouldn’t even walk with them. He told them to go ahead, He wasn’t ready. His time had yet to come, and then He said “but your time is always ready.” Jesus was speaking of His death, which it was not yet time for, but for their death, it could be anytime. Just like our can be any day.

I felt a little more relational with the brethren than with Jesus this morning. How awesome would it be at my next Jesus Chick event to be able to speak of the fiery furnace that God plucked me out of. I mean, really who wants to hear my crybaby Easy Bake Oven story of how I whined and whined every time the heat was turned up until God finally took me out of the fire. No dramatics. Just cookies and cream.

So Jesus waited and went to the feast alone. It was there that He went to the temple and left them in awe of His wisdom. They couldn’t understand how this “unlearned” man could speak with such authority. The people were in awe of His miracles and the Jews were in awe of his mind, but they were missing what mattered. They were in a “not yet” moment. God wasn’t going to prove Himself to either party. He wanted them to awe in who He was. He was God.

Those “not yet” moments in our lives are like that. When God is waiting for us to possibly mature into the responsibility He’s about to give. Or become willing to trust Him beyond what wisdom allows. A few weeks ago I was hit in a tender spot of my ego that continues to be an Easy Bake moment in my life. Not being a college graduate in my field of work can bring judgmental remarks from people about my qualifications for life. They sting… because I know where my wisdom is from.

Jesus’ third not yet moment brought that to remembrance for me.

“But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” – John 7:39

But that Spirit has now been given and He has been glorified; which we celebrate this week. I’m grateful for that reminder today that all “not yet” moments in time have a purpose in Christ Jesus. And if we allow His plans to thoroughly bake, it will be well done!

***

I’ll not complain when the power and blessings of the Holy Spirit bring unexplainable and unspeakable joys in my life for my service through the studying of His Word and the sharing of the Gospel. That is a gift of unmeasurable worth! But through the coercing of others in the ministry, who see my work as worthy, and the coercing of the Holy Spirit Who says “Through His blood I am worthy,” I have added a ministry donation button to this site. If you do not have, or do not feel inclined to give, then please don’t feel obligated. But if I have encouraged you and the Spirit speaks, your gift of any amount would be appreciated and honored by God.

If you’d like to know more about what I do, send me a message and I’ll be happy to share with you what God is doing and the direction we’re going!

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Posted in Bible Journaling, Faith, Life Inspiration, Life's Failures, Uncategorized

Satan’s Most Powerful Tool

Written by talk2shari Published January 21, 2017January 21, 2017 Discussion Leave a Comment

Whither shall I go from the Spirit? Whither shall I flee from Thy presence?

Psalm 139:7

Sometimes I confuse myself. I know the word of God, the power of God, the compassion of God, the omnipresence of God, and above all I know the forgiveness of God. But it seems when I’m at my wits end in life, and I’ve tried my last human effort; I still have one thing left to do. RUN! And the whole time I’m running I’m thinking… “There’s no sanity in this. God is my only hope.” But do I turn back? Nope! That makes way too much since and Satan is so, so very good at what he does. Convincing me that I am unworthy, defeated, or hopeless.

I’d like to tell you that after twenty years of salvation, and greater than 10 years of writing and studying the word of the Lord I’m above it. But I’m not. When David penned the words in Psalm 139 it was an affirmation. He was reminding himself that there was no where he could go that would put him out of God’s presence. There was no part of him that God did not know. There was nothing he had done that God had not seen. Hmmm…. That explains why I run. It’s called guilt. Its likely Satan’s most powerful tool on the child of God.

He has no power to control the child of God (unless we give it to him) because we have the Savior within our hearts. A spot that Satan cannot occupy. But he is still the prince of the air, and those air waves are very disheartening. David too much have understood that when he wrote in the same Psalm (vs. 16) “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect, and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

Long before God created me, He knew who I would be. He knew I would fail. And yet it says in the following “How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”

That’s a humbling thing to know, that the Almighty God Who created the universe in all its splendor and has so much to do, takes time to think of me. That’s a word that the prince of the air doesn’t want you to know. He doesn’t want you to know that in the course of God’s day, whatever that might look like, I’m on His mind. I also wonder what He must have thought when I turned my back on Him.

Disheartened? No, being disheartened is to be discouraged, intimidated, downcast. None of which describes God. Here are just a few scriptures that tell us Who God is.

God’s thoughts are so much higher than I can imagine ~ Isaiah 55:8–9

He does not grow weary, even of me! ~ Isaiah 40:28

He knows my hair better than my beautician! ~ Luke 12:7

Before I was born, He implanted His career design in me. Even knowing I would not do it justice. ~ Jeremiah 1:5

He is not partial to anyone more than me. ~ Deuteronomy 10:17

I always feel less and unworthy, both of which play into the hands of the prince of the air causing me to flee from God. When scripture tells me, I a loved, forgiven, planned and blessed by God. I hope you are wiser than I. Don’t buy the lies of Satan. They’re extremely expensive.

Posted in Uncategorized

Peace for Tomorrow

Written by talk2shari Published January 16, 2017 Discussion Leave a Comment

tomorrow I would likely lose count of the times per day that Satan whispers in my ear with a serpent tongue… “God does not care.” That is why, when I run across a verse like that of Jeremiah 23:23 it’s such a special time.

“Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?”

There has been much talk about the future lately in the media. And the future is certainly a concern of mine more often than not in the day to day scope of life. I like certainty. Tangible things that I can wrap my hand around and say “This is in my control.” Things like home, health, money, etc. But in truth, none of that will ever be fully in my control. I am at the discretion of God as to whether or not I have any of it.

When Jeremiah the prophet wrote these words, his life was far from “in control.” His country wanted him dead because he did not bear good news. Kind of like Fox News prior to the November election. Although I don’t think I would put them in the category of Jeremiah. Fox is not prophetic, they didn’t guess Donald Trump either. But to put this scripture into play in my own life, and possibly yours, is to give a certainty to us both that God is in control of tomorrow. I have things on my plate now that I would like to hear God say… “Tomorrow is going to be okay.” But what I hear is is the words of Jeremiah that says, near or far, God is with me. He’s had my past, He has my future and He has my tomorrow in control. There’s great peace in that.

John 16:33 says:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

In the days of Jeremiah was the days of the Law. And Israel was far from keeping it. They had turned their back on God time and time again and Jeremiah was prophesying of their soon to be captivity. But then comes that period between Malachi and the last chapters of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, when grace entered the picture. Christ had paid the price on the cross and grace replaced the un-keep-able law. No longer would man’s works grant entrance to Heaven or peace on earth, but by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

God had the plan in place when He created the Heavens and the earth. He knew we’d fail, and He knew of Satan’s futile attempts to get God’s children in his control. That’s why he still whispers “God doesn’t care” in my ear. Because for a second he can have me believing it. Until I read the Word of God and a scripture like Jeremiah 23:23 jumps off the page as if to say “Shut Up Satan.” God has my world in control, even when I feel like it’s spinning out of control.

That’s so good to know. God’s word is so precious… don’t neglect it.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Just Keep Going

Written by talk2shari Published December 29, 2016December 29, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

The coming of the New Year always brings with it the potential for change and opportunity. I’m not one to make resolutions, more like intentions; because I know my history of follow through, and it’s not good. But that mindset is likely a part of my problem. I’m always quick to concede that a battle is over rather than seeing it as an opportunity for a new or revised plan. I grow weary in the waiting and the wanting and wonder if it was merely wishful thinking. Wow… that’s a lot of “w” words. But they’re not my points. My point of today’s blog came to me courtesy of the book and story of Ruth, the Moabite. A Gentile gal chosen by God to be in the lineage of Jesus, a woman with purpose because she just kept going.

She lost her husband… and kept going.

Times were bleak… but she kept going.

She didn’t know how or if it would work out… but she kept going.

She didn’t know the people in her future… but she kept going.

I have a Ruth personality, but I often times get a Naomi mindset. Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law who had lost her husband and two sons, she was depressed and frustrated and decided to head back home to Bethlehem. She tried to make Ruth stay with her own family, but Ruth had adopted Naomi as new family and she was going where Naomi was going.

The book of Ruth is just four short chapters. I recommend you read it and not take my word for it, but while you’re here with me, let me tell you the impact this story has for me and the coming New Year. I don’t talk a lot about the frustrations of life because I don’t want to be a discourager. But trust me when I say that I have more than a few. When my jobs quit me… I didn’t quit working, God told me to and I didn’t listen, so my jobs quit me. Funny thing about your jobs quitting you… so does the income. Huh… who knew! And living on one income isn’t fun. But God has done amazing things with nothing. He is the only One who can. I have been provided for in amazing ways. And yet… there’s always room for a few woe is me stories. Naomi had a reason to be sad. Her husband had taken her into a land that ended up being a land of famine and then had the nerve to die on her. How rude! Followed by the death of her only other providers, her sons.

So let the rubber meet the road when I say that sometimes things happen because we’re not where we’re supposed to be. Naomi and her family should have been relying and serving God all along, but they’d chosen another path and so did I. When I finally set into the fact that God wasn’t going to allow me to work in the secular world I hit road block after road block and a few stumbling blocks of my own that haven’t allowed me to be “The Jesus Chick” to full extent that I desire. But as I approach 2017, the third year in service to the Lord, I approach it with a new mindset.

Three things happened that changed Ruth’s life when she kept going:

The plan was a step of faith.

She leapt without the net appearing. That’s what faith is. And I need that faith for 2017 as I live bolder and braver for Christ and believe that God’s plan is going to come to fruition. I need places to speak, I need place to sing… God knows that. I believe He’ll provide. I need to provide an income for my family, not for wants but because a ministry costs money. That’s the reality of it. So the net that I’m counting on appearing is a net worth that will allow me to serve God unencumbered by the woes of the mighty dollar.

The purpose of Ruth was faith

Ruth’s story is one of great purpose. She didn’t know it then, it was just life. But look at the impact her life has had. We’re still reading of her thousands of years later. She’s a grandma to Jesus! She shouldn’t have been there, she was a Gentile from a heathen nation of idol worshippers. But she stepped into her purpose in faith and God rewarded her.

Her proposal came because of her action of faith

When Boaz proposed to Ruth, she had taken some pretty bold moves in the place of the threshing floor. She came in the night and laid down at his feet and ask him to cover her. She didn’t want anything that He didn’t want for her. She laid her life down, and Boaz bought her from the kinsman who was entitled to her by the culture she was in.

I’m very much living in a world that would have me for dinner and cast me aside if it had its druthers. A ministry for me is the unknown. It’s just laying myself at the feet of Jesus and saying Lord, if You don’t cover me, the world’s going to bury me. It takes a strength that I don’t personally have to step out and say, I’m the Jesus Chick. I believe that Ruth was saying “I’m Boaz’s chick” if he’ll have me. And he did. And the rest as they say is written in the book.

Are you living in God’s plan and purpose? Has He made a proposal for you, and have you accepted. That proposal starts with salvation… but then it continues with the plan of action. What potential lies before you in 2017?

Posted in Christmas, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Angle of the Angel

Written by talk2shari Published December 23, 2016December 23, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

For the past few days I’ve been reading a book by Max Lucado, “An Angel Story” of the story of Christ’s birth from the angel Gabrielle’s perspective and the battle with Satan. Before that, Dr. Myron Guiler spoke of what the angel’s reaction may have been to the news of the Savior’s plan to save mankind at the Marietta Christmas Banquet on Monday. It’s stirred my heart with wonder like the many bowls of Christmas goodies being prepared in the coming days. Including mine today, for today is Christmas at my house with my children and grandchildren. But back to the wonder… it’s also with a heavy heart that I wonder as I watch the torments of Satan and his minions to destroy the spirit of Christmas from as many angles as possible.

Isaiah 14: 12-15

¹²How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

And weaken he has. Until the November election Satan had all but made Christmas an oath in the minds of the unsaved. Businesses dare not wish a Merry Christmas for fear of a law suit. It was beyond insane in my mind. And Satan’s plan nearly worked. Year after year with gotten more Christmas intolerant. With “Winter Holiday” being the new political correct phrase and quite appropriate with the hearts of the nation growing colder and colder towards Christ. But then suddenly, almost as surprising as the election results, it was okay again to say Merry Christmas. Christmas trees were sprouting up all over the Washington D.C. scenes and I could almost hear the dreadful growl of Satan as he watched his plan unravel.

¹³For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Proverbs 16:18 says that Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. And so it does. The arrogance of the liberals still abounds but it doesn’t thwart the fact that they fell and fell hard. It also doesn’t reduce the fact that America is still very much in a state of disarray, politically, spiritually, militarily, and the list goes on. Satan has done a number on a nation that began as a very bold, Christian land. The war on Christmas and Christianity is far from over. But it’s certainly been a merrier Christmas than the past eight.

¹⁴I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. ¹⁵Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Satan’s angle has always been to win the heart of God’s people. He needs worshipped like the political left need binkies and blankies. What he continues to fail to understand is it’s all temporary. Just like his failed attempts at destroying Christmas, he has failed at destroying Christianity because God is so much more than Satan and the world understand.

But one battle that continues to rage on is the war to win families. Satan’s angle on that is working pretty well. He wins them with distraction, lack of interaction, greed, self… oh he has that wrapped up with a bow. So how do we untie it and take back the family from his grip. The opposite of what wrapped it up. The opposite of pride is humility. Humble pie is on the menu for Christmas if families want to come back together. If you made a mistake, admit it. If you’ve been hurt, forgive it. If you disagree, move past it. Just spend the time loving one another. For God is love. And that’s why we celebrate Christmas because it was the ultimate act of love, humility and a gift that surpasses every angle Satan can devise. Christ = Salvation. Satan = damnation. We win.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church Unity, Grace, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Truth About Cats and Dragons

Written by talk2shari Published October 29, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. ~ Acts 10:34

As a disclaimer I feel that I must confess that I grew up in a 99% white community. Why I feel that I must confess that I really don’t know, other than to provide the reader of this blog an understanding of the culture for which I grew up in. For most of my life (other than a two year stint in the big city of Parkersburg, WV) I’ve lived in rural West Virginia. Very rural! We have no Walmart, we have no red light… we do have a caution light, but I’m pretty sure that’s only to alert visitors that there is an actual town there. In my high school there was one black family. Was there any prejudice? Of course there was! Being rural doesn’t exclude you from stupidity, it just takes longer to get here.

I can only speak for me when I say that I had no prejudice because I wasn’t brought up with it. My parents taught us to love people; they never once suggested that a different color of skin, economic status or belief was a reason to disassociate yourself from the person. I had plenty of other issues, prejudice just wasn’t one. And while I agree that black lives matter, so does white and every other life regardless of color. So this morning as I read in Acts 10 of Peter’s message from God (the very first PowerPoint presentation) I thought to myself, “O God, I wish Your messengers of today could get through to people.” Then again… there’s a few of God’s messengers that haven’t got the message themselves!

The Difference between Cats and Dragons

Halloween brings with it a varied opinion in the Christian community as to whether it’s right or wrong, demonic, worldly, etc.; but for me it’s just a fun day for kids to get to be something they’re not… kind of like many adults in church… Oh… did I got there?

I personally don’t feel a kitty cat and a dragon or even a zombie is going to send some child on a pathway to Hell. Let me say, however, if you’re exposing kids to demonic zombies of the Hollywood (hellywood) variety you’re messing them up. Because you’re putting evil thought into impressionable young minds that shouldn’t be there. But that’s all I’ll say. This isn’t about that. The difference between Cats and Dragons isn’t the costume, it’s the kid on the inside and the inside of the kid.

The costume is man created. The kid is God created! The costume may or may not reflect who the kid is on the inside. A zombie kid may be a timid little guy that is tired of being scared and wants to be the scare-er for a change. Or maybe it has nothing to do with that. The little kitty cat may be a tiger personality but that’s the only costume she has and the same holds true in real life. Our outward appearance does not necessarily reflect our inward design. Sometimes it’s just the only thing we had to wear.

I have to wonder about all the haters out there. Is that their real face… or the face of someone else? Why are you a hater? I’m sure there’s some psychological reason but it boils down to you’re not listening to God. Because loves every one of every color.

Do I think this blog will make this difference in a hater changing to a lover? Umm… not likely. But Peter wasn’t a hater, he was Jew and just doing what Jews were supposed to do. But that PowerPoint presentation by God on the roof changed how he believed about gentiles and gentile’s ways. We’re not talking sin, we’re talking culture. God doesn’t excuse sin, and He doesn’t exclude culture. But some Christian’s do.

You’re not my church, therefore you’re not my people. Cats and Dragons. We should look to understand the inside of the person not the costume or the denomination they wear. Amen? Just a thought…

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church attendance, Faith, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Fig Tree Faith

Written by talk2shari Published October 16, 2016October 16, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

I am so very human so very often, and the times that I am most aware of it is when I get in the flesh over spiritual matters. It seems like an oxymoron but its truth none the less. So this morning as I read the scripture in Mark of Jesus’ frustration with the money changers my mind drifted to empty seats and lackadaisical attitudes toward church attendance and Christian service. I had to wonder why this story was in the middle of the story of the fig tree? I get Jesus’ frustrations with fruitless lives, and I can more than understand His frustrations with thievery in the church house, but what does one have to do with the other? Pew sitters seems a far cry from what the money changers were doing that caused Jesus to throw tables over and drive people out for using God’s house for their own gain rather than the soul saving station and to edify the church. But then I began to think of the cost of an apathetic attitude toward the work of God, and the number of them who attend church, I understood why God could pair those two stories together.

Unfruitful servants of God are like that tree and the money changers in the fact that they rob God of the fruit He so desires. I’d also have to include myself in that category, because I could certainly do more fruit baring. Jesus’ closing words Peter, when asked why the tree died, was “Have faith in God.”

It was a kick in the pants to me, as if to say, “Let God handle everyone else Shari, you worry about your fruit.”

Mark 11:12-22

And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. And when even was come, he went out of the city. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church Unity, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Join the Journey

Written by talk2shari Published September 5, 2016September 5, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

If you know me at all, you likely know that I have a burden for church unity. I think it partly comes from being a middle child, or a center child as I like to refer to it; that way it’s all about me. Center children are more often than not, mediators. My sister Shelia is an honest to goodness mediator for the courts, I’m sure she’s very good at it, because she like me is a center child; there are five siblings in our family. I’m sure that doesn’t always hold true but for me it does. Now to what brought me to this place this morning… This place is Heaven, and the biblical fact that we are already there, although the view isn’t quite what it’s going to be. So what does that have to do with church unity? There is no mention of a Baptist Street in Heaven, or a Methodist Avenue, or a Pentecostal Lane. And it doesn’t say anywhere in scripture that God stepped into another room so He could speak to a “certain group.” Nope. When God speaks He speaks in the presence of all. I believe there are two types of conversations with God. Personal and Congregational, and both are relational.

A Personal God

Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

“Our Conversation is in Heaven…” that’ll make you squirm if you think about a few road rage episodes or closet conversations between the Mister and Mrs. when you were in the heat of an argument. What part of the Holy Spirit living within us do we tend to forget, and the fact that the Holy Spirit is a part of a triune God and the other two are in Heaven? This puts our conversation in Heaven.

We serve a very personal God Who is all up in our business regardless of where we are. And although there are times we wish God hadn’t heard what He did, how awesome is it that when we need Him to hear, we know He does.

A Congregational God

Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

A general assembly, a convention of sorts, under no denominational name other than Christian. That’s who we are in Heaven. We forget that down here. And while I understand the doctrinal differences and many man made differences that will not allow us to be together as a unified body, I still don’t understand the lack of unity. I’m not going to go to the Methodist church and try to persuade them they should be Baptist. Nor will they enter our church for the purpose of persuading us to be Methodist. But what about outside the walls of our congregations where the world gets a view of the inside, what do they see? And what does our conversation in Heaven look like to God? We’re not arguing about Christ. We all agree that He is way, the truth and the life and that no man enters Heaven without Him. So what are we arguing over? That idea should make a few church folks squirm too!

A Relational God

Ephesians 2:6

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Being a member of the body of Christ is not only about our relationship with the Lord Jesus, which should be first and foremost, but it’s also about our relationship with each other who He has raised together.

When my girls were little it would break my heart when they argued. I wanted to them to love one another and to know that they had each other’s back when it was needed. I’m pretty sure God feels the same way about us. Praise God my girls grew up and they do love each other, and if you mess with one you’re in a heap of trouble with the other. That’s how the church should feel.

On Saturday morning, myself and five other ladies met in town to start a journey toward Heaven together and yet separate. We’re from difference churches, but we want to impact our community for Christ together. I’m so in love with this concept… I think Jesus approves. Our next meeting is at the First Baptist Church in Grantsville on September 26^th at 6:30 p.m. If you’re in our area, please join the journey!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church attendance, Evangelism, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

It’s All About Numbers

Written by talk2shari Published August 10, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

Numbers 9:18

At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.

I’ve been in the book of Numbers for a couple of days, and I’m really not a numbers fan. I speak of numerical numbers not the book. Speak math to me and my eyes glaze over and I go semi-comatose until our conversation is over. It’s true. It’s just never been my forte. But the book of Numbers has captivated my attention as well as broken my heart in several verses. Moses, having been instructed by God, is numbering the servants in the service of the Lord. Even as I type those words my eyes well up with tears; for they are few in the modern church. Even in a church with big numbers of bodies there is not necessarily a big number of servants.

I was born with a servant’s heart. But that too gets me into trouble, because I can get pulled into serving others and away from serving God for whom I’ve been called to serve. What about you? Have you been called to serve? Well… if you are a child of God, then the answer is yes and it might shock you to know that God is pretty serious about it, after all, you are a priest.

What? Yep, it caught me a little off guard too, even though I knew it. It wasn’t until I related an Old Testament truth with a New Testament truth that it clicked. As Moses was numbering the Levites and the Priests, doling out their responsibilities to the house of worship, bells went off inside my head and drew my mind’s eye to my very own verse in 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;

Every child of God is a member of the priesthood. And while we’re not to don robes and hats, the responsibility is the same. We have a role in taking care of the church. Everyone. Not just the preacher, the deacon, the Sunday school teacher, etc. Even the guy or gal on the 8^th row back, who shows up on Sunday to do their due diligence of church. And I meant that totally sarcastic. Showing up on Sunday is not your due diligence… well it is, but it doesn’t end there. Paul told the church of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

You have a gift that is intended for the service of the Lord, where ever that may be. Which brought me to the verse in Numbers 9 this morning and the little girl packing the suit case. God expects the church to be on the move and ready to roll when service calls. In less than two weeks I’m headed to Minnesota to serve in a Revival. I’m excited, God’s been speaking to my heart about “stuff.” Just as He spoke to Moses, He speaks to us. Perhaps not audibly but every bit as real. Instant in season and out of season the scripture says, be ready! Are you? My heart is broken for the churches across America because Revival is hard to come by. Too many people are sitting and waiting for the Lord to show up, when actually the Lord did show up… they just weren’t willing to move out of their seat to greet Him and so He moved on.

God is in the details. There are many details to a church service and everyone is important. Serve well friend… It’s all about numbers, for which you are one.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Unseen is not Unnoticed

Written by talk2shari Published August 1, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe sometimes that I’ve been on the road to salvation twenty years, but I was saved in 1996, so the math is there. But in many ways I still feel like a new convert. I’m ever so grateful that God’s mercy is new and afresh every day, for I need it every day; that’s the part of that new convert feeling I’m not so proud of. I still feel like an utter failure most days of the week. But another side to that new convert feeling is the absolute fact that I’m as excited today as I was the day I got saved, which is what makes serving God so easy.

I’m not one for accolades. I have no desire for men’s applause for work that I should be doing, but an appreciation is wonderful. So when Mickey Carter preached on the unseen lily work in 1 Kings 7:22 my soul smiled.

And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.

The Top

Where no one seen but God. Unless of course great effort was made to get up to it. For the record I don’t feel unloved or unappreciated very often. Seldom would be more like it. I must give glory that God has always sent encouragers into my life who climb to the top, look at the lily’s and say well done. But I’ve had days where the flesh rose, usually in exhaustion, when I felt as though all my unseen efforts were not for naught but went unnoticed. It caused me to wonder if anyone cared or understood the time I had put into a particular project. Was it necessary? Was it just busy work? And then Brother Mickey blessed my soul by allowing God to use him to tell me… it wasn’t for nothing. God took note.

The Lily

Another character trait for me is that I love, love, love a project. I’m project driven and it’s all about the details. But many times I’ve seen the “details” in the trash at the end of an event and thought… why did I put all that effort into something that was thrown away? But isn’t that everything down here? Nothing is going to make it through the end days, and if for a brief moment in time my efforts made someone’s heart happy and brought glory to God, then my attention to detail, the intricate work on the lily, was a worthy effort.

The Finished Work

The pillars were done, no names were inscribed as to the artist, just a beautiful workmanship that held up the house of God; which is exactly what we should be. Those of us who serve don’t need to be noticed, we need to be useful. Those pillars were beautiful, but they also served the purpose of being the strength of the church. Am I? Are you? It’s a point to ponder in our servitude as to whether our time is spent strengthening the house of God.

Just keep serving, using the gifts and talents God has given you to finish the work. It does not go unnoticed. You are loved…