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There is no doubt in my mind that there is none Good

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on There is no doubt in my mind that there is none Good

The scripture tells us in Luke 18:19 “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.”

There is no doubt in my mind that it’s the truth. I try to be good, but even on a good day, evil enters into it. I have a mighty compassion for people. Even people I don’t particularly like. I want no ill will or harm for them. And then I find myself reading James 5 and shouting Amen at inappropriate times.

James 5:1-20 KJV
[1] Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. [2] Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. [3] Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. [4] Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. [5] Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. [6] Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

That’s when I think about those who support and encourage abortion. Those who are mean to children and the elderly. Those who corrupt children in the school system. Child trafficking. Those who are mean to my friends and people who just embrace evil. I kind of like the thought of God heaping a dose of judgement on them! But then I think about the evil inside of Shari. And as I continue to read I get down to verse 11…

[7] Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. [8] Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. [9] Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. [10] Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. [11] Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

“The Lord is very pitiful…and of tender mercy.” There He hung on that cross, nailed to it naked. Beaten to the point that His body looked like hamburger and He was unrecognizable. Watched by His mother and friends. Spit on by the enemy and mocked by the wicked and He said “Father forgive them…”

Never in our lives has anyone of us experienced His level of pain, and yet he pleads to His Father for us. I have to ask myself, “Can I plead for my enemies?” I’m glad God understands humanity. That is why He said, there is none good.

We may not be good, but He still allows us to be of purpose to the Kingdom.

[12] But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. [13] Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. [14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: [15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. [16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. [17] Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. [18] And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. [19] Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; [20] Let him know, that he which converteth ab the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide ac a multitude of sins.

Share the truth, stand in the gap for those who need it, pray for people, talk to people about your own struggles so they know they’re not alone. Above all tell someone about the saving grace of the Lord Jesus!!!

Oh how I needed this word today. People are not good. But God is. All the time. Even when the world seems to have lost it’s ever lovin’ mind, God understands us. He doesn’t excuse us but He understands. Glory to God for His “tender mercy.” I need it every day.

Posted in Christian Service, Praise, Purpose, Uncategorized

How Not to Grow Weary as a People Pleaser

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I will confess that I am a people pleaser to a certain degree, in that I want everyone around me happy. So I go to great lengths to make people happy and in so doing, usually make myself nauseous. With that being said, I only go so far and then my nauseousness turns to frustration. And my frustration turns to aggravation and then I’m in the flesh and those people have gotten on my lastnerve. Then I’ll turn to the word, and I’ll attempt to make it fit my agenda like the rest of the world does, and then I grow sick of myself. So I put it down and let Satan beat me with a big stick for a few days and then go back to it again with more determination to seek out the will of God in the matter that started out with me trying to make someone happy.

DON’T LOSE SIGHT

Romans 15:1-13 KJV
[1] We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. /

There it is in black and white and bold, “Don’t make this about you Shari.” My life should not be about making myself happy, but rather as verse 2 continues on by saying [2] Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. [3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

So I am in the right to please others so long as that pleasing edifies (Instructs or improves) someone. That’s an interesting fact, and continued frustration when you feel that your wisdom isn’t counted worthy. Enter Shari’s lifelong insecurities of being less and Satan has just managed to shut me up again. An additional problem is I am always on display with people, or so I feel that I am. I’ve been so vocal about my faith in Christ and my belief in the purpose of my life that I feel that people are watching me continually to see how I handle life; and lately, it hasn’t been handled very well. I’ve retreated from the gospel because of a lost hope. Not in Christ, but in purpose.

DON’T LOSE HOPE

[4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

There is an image I attempted to find where a woman was wrapped up in Christ’s arms but it was all done by word art. it always makes my heart happy when i see it because it depicts how I feel when I read the word of God. I feel as though He has come to earth and wrapped me up in His love. It’s a real feeling and not one contrived in my mind by an artist, but rather expressed by that artist.

A sure fire way of losing hope is to get out of the word of God. I know from much experience in the matter. I also know that the way to find hope is to get back in the word of God and read until God shines the light on what you need. He did just that in Romans this morning when I read that the Old and the New were written to give me hope. That every word has purpose, just like me.

DON’T LOSE GLORY

[5] Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: [6] That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There have been so many people in my past that have shown me how to praise and glorify God by their relationship with God. It’s another issue with my very faulty wiring in that I struggle with fitting someone else’s mold. Because I know I was never meant to fit their mold. That’s theirs. But if what I feel doesn’t align with what they feel and I make them uncomfortable, what do I do? I can tell you. Just as I retreated from the word of God, I retreat from the way God made me.

According to His word, we’re to be likeminded “toward another” according to Christ. That means I should be okay with how Christ designed them, and they should be okay with how Christ designed me so long as the two have foundation in scripture. One can be mild and one can be loud and both can be right.

DON’T LOSE FRIENDS

[7] Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. [8] Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: [9] And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. [10] And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

The first of God’s people were the Jews. Who overtime grew into a very formal, religious group of people who followed the law and loved rule making. And then came the Gentiles, a world of rebels who didn’t fit the religious mold. They went against their grain by not holding a formal service, not washing their hands enough, not doing all the “things” the religious did. And if I were to guess at what happened in their services that was also different was their manner of praise. They had so much to be thankful for. The God of the universe had deemed them worthy to be a part of His family through the blood of Christ. The acceptance of the blood He shed for their salvation. Because of that their worship would have likely differed drastically from what the Jews were used to. But now the Jews and the Gentiles were worshipping together. Do you suppose some took issue with the loud mouthed coverts and caused division? I do. I’m pretty sure, I’d have been a loud mouth!

DON’T LOSE YOUR LAUD

[11] And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. [12] And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. [13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

As I’ve stated… I’m loud. I have to reign myself in on a daily basis not to be center stage in any conversation or action. My personality is such that I believe God designed me to be heard, but He humbles me by putting people in my life who don’t want to hear me. It’s a truth I can’t fathom. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear me, right? Kidding.

Romans 12:15-16 KJV
[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. [16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

So my take away from today’s discussion with God is, “It’s okay to be me.” So long as “me” represent’s Him. He told me I needed to “LAUD” Him. That means praise Him highly. That does not sound quiet to me. Just sayin’.

Posted in Christian, Church attendance, Evangelism, Faith, Family, Life Inspiration, Peace, salvation, Uncategorized, Word of God

The End is the Beginning of a Great Life!

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As I read Romans 10, Paul’s words pierced my heart for my family. Those are the first people that came into my mind when I read “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” It’s such a simple statement, yet such a hard task to accomplish. Such a simple process, yet it seems the most difficult decision. That was Paul’s desire, yet his ministry ended up not being to the Jews, but to the Gentiles. And what an impact he made there! What can I glean from Paul’s words to make my life more productive for the Kingdom?

The End of What you Know

Romans 10:1-21 KJV
[1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

I have people that are so stinkin’ smart, they’re too smart for their own good. They assume they’ve got life figured out. They make more money than I can dream of, have all the “things” that supposedly make their life complete, and yet eternity is nowhere in their scope of concern. They’re good people, or so they think, they don’t realize that their goodness does not enter into the equation of salvation. The same was true with Israel. They thought their goodness was enough, they’re name as God’s chosen was enough. But it was not. They had not submitted themselves to the understanding that they would never be good enough to go to Heaven. There wasn’t enough righteousness in their entire family combined to go to Heaven. It is only through what Christ did on the cross that one can be saved. Their self made theology fills the world today, they need to get out of their own head, and into the mindset of God.

The End of the Law

[4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. [5] For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. [6] But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above : ) [7] Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Moses said if you think you’re good enough to get to Heaven, you’ll line your life up by the law. All 613 of them and stand before God without failure. Can you do it? I can’t live without breaking one of the Ten Commandments. There is no way under the sun that I can live without breaking 613. Nor can anyone else. That’s why Christ had to go to the cross to pay the penalty of sin for every single man and woman on earth. Because there are none good enough. It is believing by faith in Christ and that work on the cross that allows you to enter in. It is His righteousness, the One who never sinned and was the only worthy sacrifice for man kind. The end of the law is your beginning of faith.

The End of the Difference

[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Paul’s desire was that Israel, his Nation of people was saved. He had been a man of the law, serving in the highest of office in their religion, calling men and women out for being Christian and even killing them. No one had lived any more zealous than he had lived for the Lord and was wrong. He had walked by the letter of the law as a Jew, God’s chosen, but now he understood that it was for nought. He too was now saved, not by what he’d done, but because he believed. He believed because he had a personal experience with coming to know Christ as His Savior. “Christ ask him on the road to Damascus

Acts 9:5 KJV
[5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Pricks (goads) was an instrument used to guide livestock. The guiding principals that Paul had lived by were no longer in play. He would have to walk a whole new way, and believe in what he had fought against. Is this not what has to happen to each one of us as we come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Suddenly, we realize that there is no difference in us than anyone else. We’re all sinners. Even the vilest of people that we loath is as good as we are. The Jews lived by their zealous righteousness, that they were above the Gentiles, all other people. But because of God’s grace, he took the difference out of the equation. Everyone stands even at the cross, and it is only those who kneel to it that can be viewed as worthy through the blood Christ shed for them.

The End of Excuses

[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

For many in my family and yours too likely, there’s 101 reasons not to go to church on Sunday morning. This is the greatest of tragedies for the people of God. Many of them may be saved, Christ does not say, “Thou shall go to church.” But while we are no longer under the law, the law is not void. We’re forgiven, but we’re not excused to sin. As a Baptist it’s often said of us that we can do on Monday, what we say is wrong on Sunday and be okay. No… that’s not how grace works. While grace offers forgiveness, if you are a child of God, you’re not excused to live without accountability. There are consequences for stupidity. And one of the stupidest things God’s people and the unsaved do, is their thinking that they don’t need church.

Church is one of the greatest gifts that God gave His people. It is there we build our relationship and understanding of the word of God that allows us to live in peace. The very thing that everyone desires, and few have. They don’t have it because they have no relationship with God or His people. Victory Baptist Church did not save me, Christ did that, but it for certain has shaped me into who I am and has afforded me a peace that I never knew prior to salvation. By attending church I receive the word of God from the man of God. I have friends that lift me up in prayer and give me opportunity to do the same for them. I have the sweetest fellowship that is not in the world. You may have friends… but not friends like those in the Lord. As a child of God I have the desire to be in His House, in His word and with His people. He puts that desire in everyone of His children and we are without excuse for not following it.

[16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. [18] But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. [19] But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. [20] But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. [21] But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

God knocks on the heart of everyone and asks them to believe in what He’s done. He’s stretched out His arms to a world begging for love and peace and offered it to them, but they’ve rejected it, both Jew and Gentile. It’s not easy to be humble. But it is so worth what you receive in exchange. There’s no excuse for not being saved. You have the opportunity today if you’ve read my blog. I’ve written it in love, in hopes of new kinfolk. Let me know if you’d like to join the family of God, I’d love to share with you how you can be apart of His life giving, love feeling, peace knowing family.

Posted in Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Candy Bar Prayer and the Consequence of Stupidity

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I scrolled through post after post on Facebook today, looking at the images, taking note of how children had grown, who was struggling, who was giggling and who was somewhere in between. It’s been a while since I’d done that. But from the posts I could tell that not only my life is busy, but most everyone else’s too. The problem with living in the fast lane as most of us do, we don’t slow down to take in a breath of reality.

My oldest grandson just turned 15. It’s a surreal moment to think that he will be driving!!! And so I thought today that I would take a field trip soon with he and his soon to be 15 year old cousin. My 2nd oldest grandson. We’d take a field trip to the police barracks in town and to the Sheriffs department. It’s there I can introduce them to each law enforcement for a good dose of reality. I want them to understand that law enforcement is not the enemy, but they are the reality check. And we want them to know that our friendship with law enforcement means, it’s okay for them to ticket our kids and us if we’re being stupid. Because it will hopefully stop future dumbness. And that stupidity has consequences. It always cracks me up that I and most other people hit the breaks when we see law enforcement. We know we’re likely over the speed limit. We also know that if we are, it’s probably too late! But praise God for grace and mercy.

All this brought my mind into the blessing of my own salvation and an understanding that although we are no longer under the law of the Old Testament the law didn’t go away. The blood of Christ covers my stupidity but it doesn’t prevent the consequences of breaking the law. I pray the dumbest prayers… “Dear God, thank you for this Peppermint Patty, please allow something in this candy bar to add nutrition to my body. Please forgive the fact that it’s my supper. I know I don’t eat right, please help me do better. Amen.”

That’s another version of hitting the breaks when you’re in a reality check moment with Law Enforcement. While it appears that I was asking for help, I was truly asking for mercy. Tomorrow, I may or may not eat better. I may or may not drive slower, believing God, and Officer Weekley or Sheriff Basnett will extend another day of grace. Am I alone? Probably not.

I said all that because a reality check for me as I thought about my grandchildren, as I scrolled Facebook, is the fact that my walk with Christ is often treated as wreckless as my health and my driving skills. Just as I “intend” to talk to my family and friends about Christ I speed right past them, occasionally hitting the breaks, but never stopping by. There is a consequence for that, that I don’t like to think about. And just as I fill my body with fuel that’s not fit for anyone, I fill my spirit with junk and I watch my friends and family as they feed on false doctrine and the lies of this world and ask God to save their soul. That’s just as dumb as my candy bar prayer.

Colossians 4:3 KJV
[3] Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Paul was in bonds, not only from the prison of mortal men, but by the Spirit of God who charged him with speaking the mystery of Christ. God had revealed to the Apostle the salvation of Christ, and the plans of Christ for the people of God. Then through Paul, God revealed those things to us. But to the world, they can’t see it. Satan’s making sure of it. And we are playing right into that game of his by hitting the breaks and never slowing down to speak the truth of the Word of God.

Paul was praying for doors to open for him, so should we. But we’ll never open a door if we don’t slow down. And the consequence will be that our friends and family will be eternally separated from us. My grandboys are not the only ones that need a reality check to know they’re blessed. I needed this time tonight,I need that verse from Colossians that reminded me that I too am charged to speak what I’ve been taught.

I need to make a list and start checking it off of people that I do not know if they know.

God, please open doors, and let me stop my prayers of stupidity but give me a passion for purpose.

Shari ~ The Jesus Chick

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Do you every grow weary of the Noise?

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Do you ever grow weary of noise? Oh my stars! I long for silence much of the time. There are sounds I enjoy, such as the sounds of laughter and joy from my grandchildren and other family. That makes my heart happy and I could listen to it all day. But there are sounds such as the television, traffic, cell phones, machines, etc… Some days I just long to escape to an island. Not an island far away, perhaps one in the middle of a pond or lake in West Virginia that I could return home quickly when I needed my noise makers. But then there are the noises of the world, they frustrate me to the point of anger. A line I’ve drawn in the imaginary sand prevents me from acting on that anger, but it’s still there none the less. I’m just being honest. I’m not violent, and that’s really good, because if I were I fear I’d be dangerous.

A massive pet peeve of mine is to be talked down to, or worse, to see someone I love being talked down to, laughed at, or made fun of. I just can’t take it. I wonder what Matthew thought when he seen the friends of a certain ruler laugh at his Lord? I know how I feel now when I hear people laugh at my Lord. I’m angry. I would be like Simon Peter when the the guards came after Jesus in the garden. I’d be needing to cut someone’s ear off and say “can you hear me now?” Yes, I’d probably be that snarky.

Noise has been on my mind a lot lately. Daily the word has come into my thoughts.

The first place noise is found in the Bible is the noise of God.

Exodus 20:18 KJV
[18] And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

As Moses stood on the Mount receiving the law, the people trembled in fear at the foot of the mountain, not wanting any part of what was happening. It was the first fire works show! God was laying out ten very simple rules for His people to follow and being quiet wasn’t one of them. It’s why I love to say Amen! In church. And “Glorrrraaayyyyy!” These were not words I grew up with in church. But I have grown into them since the day of my salvation. Perhaps when Moses and God were on the mountain God was telling Him how this was going to play out in the future, and the sounds on the mountain were the sounds God made as He explained salvations plan. That is complete interjection by me with no biblical foundation whatsoever, but I have to wonrder what made God so noisy when the law was being given? And at what point did church become silent?

Another mention of godly noise is that of the noise made regarding the fall of the wall of Jericho:

Joshua 6:26-27 KJV
[26] And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. [27] So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.

God was with Moses when He gave Him the law and He was with Joshua when, without so much as a finger being lifted, the wall of Jericho and the houses there in were destroyed. Because God was with them. When God is on our side there should be noise! People were flapping their gums everywhere about what had happened with God’s people. When’s the last time we heard noise like that? It’s happened in my lifetime and in ministries I’ve been a part of, but it’s been a while since I’ve heard the noise of people speaking of God doing something in the church. I long for that noise again.

And then there was the noise of the religious and the wicked of Jesus’ day that are still here today and it makes me want to puke that people make light of what God said was holy.

Matthew 9:18-26 KJV
[18] While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. [19] And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. [20] And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: [21] For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. [22] But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. [23] And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, [24] He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. [25] But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. [26] And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Jesus never conducted a funeral. but the minstrels (aka pickers and singers) were already at the house preparing the funeral march. But Jesus wasn’t about the funeral, He was about the fun, the fun of restoring life. While the noise of religion played around Him, Jesus brought the girl back to life again. They were shocked! But the death march was turned into a dance of rejoicing. Oh God bring us some noise like that.

As I said, I grow weary of the noise of this world trying to convince me that God is not Who He says He is. Much like those who mocked Jesus when He said the girl just sleeps, the world still has a mouth full of mockery. Those who do not know Christ, trying to convince me that life is better without Him. But my question for myself is “how am I doing at convincing the world they’re better off with Him?” I have the power within me, the Spirit of God, to shut down the noise. It is I who opt in to listen, to let it aggravate me.

What about you? Has Jesus changed your life? If so, tell us about it! If you’d like to know more about having a life that is fresh and new, give me call or email me at talk2shari@gmail.com

Blessings! ~ Shari, the Jesus Chick

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Things I don’t understand about the world

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There are so many things I don’t understand! But it seems that now there is a level of stupidity and evil in leadership that is impossible to comprehend. Both here and abroad, both governmental and citizen. This morning I listened to the news as I do so often, but I heard things that I, who is relatively well versed in societal news, was in shock.

Did you know that children in kindergarten in several schools in the United States are being taught how to have sex with each other. Children so young that when being taught both heterosexual and homosexual acts they must use graphic pictures in their books because the words are too difficult to understand, and they’re being told not to discuss this with their parents because their parents won’t understand. The pictures could not be shown by the news agency because they’re considered pornography, nor could the words even be spoken that were in the children’s text books, but they’re acceptable to be taught in public schools. Did you see the video of the Presidents Press Secretary Jen Saki weeping because of the “bullying” of children. A Florida ban on the ability to teach such things was why she was so upset.

Don’t automatically assume our schools are immune. While I have asked the Superintendent of Calhoun Schools if any of the curriculum I had seen was making it’s way into Calhoun Schools, she assured me it had not. But, that does not prevent any teacher from discussing things that we as parents and grandparents would not accept as proper. Keep a dialog open every day with children.

Did you know, and it was reported (although not by anyone except conservative news outlets) that a box of aborted babies (parts and whole bodies of babies including 5 fully developed babies) was found on the street outside an abortion clinic in Washington D.C. Imagine the horror of opening the box. It was found by a pro-life activist who received a tip who works for the Pregnancy Resource Center in Portland that the box was left outside. She took the box home, not really knowing what to do with it, and then through another series of tips to the police the Metropolitan Washington D.C. Police homicide unit arrived to pick up five late-term aborted babies for forensic examination. Their late gestational ages, as well as their apparent sustained injuries potentially, show violations of the Partial-Birth Abortion Act as well as the Born Alive Infants Protection Act which are federal crimes. Liberal news outlet CNN did report it but not from the victimization of babies, but rather the audacity of the woman who made it known.

How have we gotten to this level of wickedness in our nation that people are no longer shocked by it? And what do we do about it? Most of us don’t have to deal with it. Or do we? Over 1,000 babies are aborted each year in West Virginia. Other states have far more, but still… that’s 2 or 3 babies each day being aborted and 2 or 3 women being traumatized or lied to. What are we as the church doing?

As a young girl in school, I had a friend who had an abortion. I think about that baby often. It would be around 42 years old. It will be wonderful one day to see them in Heaven. But what would they have done if they’d have been allowed to live?

Through abortion and through the the corruption of little minds we are allowing the demons of Hell to take over our land while we sit in the pews. That’s how I feel today. I know in my own mind that I have not done enough to protect my part of the world.

In Proverbs 8:13-16 (KJV) Solomon speaks:

13 The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound wisdom: I [am] understanding; I have strength. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of the earth.

Evil. Pride. Arrogance. Certainly sounds like the world to me. And the froward mouth? No body watches what they say any more in front of women and children. Women wanted equality? Well we’ve gotten it. They treat us with as much disrespect as they do each other.

Solomon said the “fear of the Lord” is to “hate evil.” That fear does not come from his judgement and wrath but rather our love for Him and reverence for who He is. A good God. One that has never committed evil or brought any of this upon us. But rather desires, as we do, for His children to avoid the corruption of the mind that comes from being exposed to it. We should have that same hate that God does, to the point when we see our children being exposed to the evils of this world we stop it with all that’s in us.

What about pride? It is a prideful act that any man or woman determines that they have the right to end a life. Listen to God’s words against Satan when He removed him from Heaven:

Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV
[12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! [13] For 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: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Pride was certainly apart of who Lucifer was. It is said that he was the most beautiful of the angels that God created. And yet, knowing what God had done, Lucifer wanted to be the one making the decisions. Just like man. Whether it’s at the beginning of life, in between or at the end, it is not man’s decision to end a life. But man wants to cloud those decisions by adding thoughts like “They’ll be better off, it’s for the best, we’ve spared them pain.” When we know none of that to be true.

As for Jen Saki and her comments yesterday on Florida’s ban of teaching children about “lifestyles and sexual acts.” At what point would you want your child told about homosexual acts in great detail? Every time I think about stepping away from the youth ministry I think, “No. Who is going to protect the minds of these little people and fill them with God’s words no the worlds?” I’m not applying for sainthood, there are weeks I can barely do it. And I whine to God about it. But someone must! We have to take a stand for our kids. Those born and those unborn.

I don’t understand a lot about the world. But I understand it’s wicked. Even so… some Lord Jesus.

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Sometimes I’m a Little Much

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Sometimes I’m a Little Much

I guess I surprised a few people at the Calhoun County Commission Meeting on Thursday evening when I spoke passionately to two of the Commissioners. Perhaps too passionately, although that will be for God to decide. But I felt that I needed, for my own testimony’s sake, to clarify where my passion came from.

It came not from self righteousness.

I hate self righteousness, I’ve been a victim of it and the Lord knows that there is no body “self” righteous. We are all sinners saved by grace and without excuse without the Blood of Jesus to cover our sins. I am a sinner. Saved only by Jesus’ death on the cross. I fail my Lord daily. But I pray to God there is no arrogance in me.

When I proclaimed my frustration at Mr. Hicks and Mr. Helmick’s Christian testimony, I may have been out of line, only God knows. My reasoning wasn’t that I felt I was better than they, it was that these men profess Christianity but they were treating people like heathens. I took offense to that for my community and for my Lord. They spoke down to the community, they were arrogant, rude and inconsiderate of what they’re being paid good money to accomplish things for our community and they’re not doing their jobs. I had watched it for over an hour and my blood was boiling and the flesh got the best of me. As it obviously did Mr. Hicks.

So as I sit down to ponder my own heart I find myself in the book of James:

James 5:11-20 KJV

Count me Happy!

[11] Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

I thank God for His tender mercy. And while I technically only endured them a little over an hour before exploding, I have endured this world for 59 years. Not a record, but it gives me standing as an “elder” int the community I guess.

My happiness does not come from the decisions I make now or the decisions of others. My happiness is solely in the fact that I made a decision to follow Christ in 1996. From that day forward I had a hope that no man could steal. There is coming a day when this world will be gone and a new world will be created by God, fresh and clean and without sin. Glory to God! That makes me so happy. But it also causes my heart angst when dealing with this sinful world in the mean time. Should I care? After all, God’s going to make it anew. Why should I get upset over stupid decisions that will have no effect on the outcome of eternity. Or do they?

Count me Accountable

[12] But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Everyday I fear my own testimony isn’t enough. When I make a decision that effects other people, does it draw their minds to Christ, or away from Christ? God will not look upon my sins because they’re covered by His Son’s blood. But God will hold me accountable for what I’ve done for the Kingdom. Have I drawn men to God, or driven them away?

It’s a point that many, if not most Christian’s, seldom think on when they’re doing their daily tasks of living. But people who do not know God are watching us. A decision that means very little to us, may cause someone to turn away from God because “we said we were Christians, but we hurt someone.” We are human of course and those things happen but or behavior after we’ve realized it makes all the difference in the world. It’s called repentance.

Count me In!

[13] Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. [14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: [15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. [16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I’ve been afflicted, I’ve prayed. I’ve been merry and I’ve sang psalms (hymns). I’ve been sick and the elders have prayed, I’ve done all the things in these verses. Count me in Lord, Count me in! I am Your child which makes me righteous by Your blood. I’ve been the one prayed for and I’ve been the one praying. But I need to be ever mindful that this is a daily renewal of my relationship with the Lord when I do these things. I can’t just do it once and I’m done, we must serve Christ daily. Letting the world see how much we love them and how much we care about the things they care about. Because Christ did when He walked the earth. When the wedding party ran out of wine, He could have said “Get you a glass of water and quit whining.” But He did not. He took care of their current need. Should not we do the same?

Don’t ever Count God Out!

[17] Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. [18] And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. [19] Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; [20] Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Elias (Elijah) prayed for rain and believed it would. I’m sure there were doubters but Elijah wasn’t one of them. Elijah went on to be with the Lord later on in a Chariot of fire, he could have just as well let the drought go on. But he didn’t, he prayed for rain.

What ever it is that we have going on on earth, don’t think God doesn’t care. Why else would He have created so many amazing things for us to enjoy. We also have to know that the things of this earth are not to be thought of above God. Which is for certain a major issue. Everyone wants God to help, but they have no time for what God wants, which is a relationship with us.

I love my community. A statement I made very loudly at a community meeting. But I care far more about the community that I should be building in Heaven. The one where I show you how to join me there. A place where there will be no more heartache, sorrow, disagreements or ugliness like the world has now.

There’s only one way to live in that world. Accept what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross for you.

He died, to prove that He alone has the power over the grave. Everyone’s life will end. But then what? Where will you be. For that there are two choices. Heaven or Hell. Please, choose Heaven by asking Jesus to come into your heart and control your life.

I love you. So does Jesus. ~ Shari, the Jesus Chick

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Things I hadn’t been Thinking About

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Things I hadn’t been Thinking About

Boy. Does life happen! Can I get a witness from anyone who has a life that spirals out of control any given moment and then on the brink of a nervous breakdown, it settles back into the routine of “just chaos” that you’re accustomed to? Is it just me? Well if it is, that’s okay too, but if it’s not come along for the ride today as me and Jesus talk it out.

This morning it was just me talking. I really wanted the opportunity to talk to someone else. Mainly my husband. I really wanted the chance to get snarky and say something ugly. I was in the kitchen rehearsing it, he was in the living room oblivious to the wonderful plan I was hatching up in my head to let him have it. Why? Because he and I are both human. And it is absolutely the worst thing to be sometimes. You didn’t actually think I was going to tell you did you? Just imagine one of your human error times when you’re hatching up a plan to give someone a piece of your mind, and then imagine it ten times worse. Because mine probably was. I’m really human.

So as I was hatching this plan, I “ask” God to help me make it happen. I was praying for it! It never did. Not one time did David or God give m e the chance to make the air blue. And so I settled back into my chaos and turned to the Word of God to help me make sense of it all.

Since the starting of the Ridgeview News I have struggled. And I don’t mean, just a little. On every plain I’ve had a battle. Physically, I struggle with pain every day. Emotionally, not good at all. Professionally… I struggle with people accepting my work as worthy. Spiritually… I talk to God all day long. And sometimes I “allow” Him to talk to me. Anyone see a problem with that?

It’s like have a GPS but not bothering to turn it on. You can go places, but it may take you longer to get there, and truthfully you may never arrive at the right spot.

So on the verge of calamity, I turn my GPS on. God’s Powerful Spirit. I allow Him to talk to me. I know… good idea right?

Psalm 18:1-3 KJV
[1] I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. [2] The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalm is a song of praise in reference to 2 Samuel 22:1 when God had delivered him out of the hand of Saul. His greatest enemy of the time. It causes me to ask myself… perhaps you could ask yourself… What is your greatest enemy? For me it’s finances. It sucks the life out of me. It causes me angst and sadness. My Saul is the dollar bill. Or the five, ten or c-note. Which ever one I’m in need of. Perhaps that’s your Saul too. Or, maybe it’s health. That would be second on my list of frustrations… Probably should be first, but I don’t like dealing with it that well so I put it off until I’m lying flat on my back. This is indeed intense therapy today. But back to the scripture. David is praising God for his deliverance. It will come for me too. I have the utmost of faith. The problem is, sometimes fear is louder on than faith and that’s when I have a bad day.

Faith is a subtle feeling that always there But sometimes it gets drowned out by the noise of the world.

Psalm 18:4-19 KJV
[4] The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. [5] The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. [6] In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Do you ever think about your words traveling to God’s ears.

Almighty God Himself listens to my heartaches and distress. He doesn’t send someone else to do His job. He takes care of me Himself. Do I give that kind of attention to Him or do I expect someone else to do my bidding with God for me. I see prayer requests on social media all the time. And they should be! Don’t misunderstand. We should make our petitions known to our brothers and sisters in Christ so that they can be a part of the Victory. But, conversations with God should be often and taken serious. After all, tell me who in this world of any real power allows us to bend their ear? If they did, we would. But we have someone so much greater than any human, we have God Himself who can speak our cares out of existence, and He is most often a last result. He is the “glass we break in case of emergency.” We don’t want anyone to think our life is that far out of control. So we wait to speak with God, when it’s absolutely necessary. I speak of myself clearly, perhaps you’re brighter than I.

Do you ever think about God getting angry on your behalf? David did.

7] Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. [8] There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. [9] He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. [10] And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. [11] He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. [12] At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. [13] The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. [14] Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. [15] Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Such poetic words and how they stir my soul!!! To think that God is so passionate about His people. Does He truly care for us that much? Would He have let His Son suffer on the cross if He didn’t?

God may not show that kind of ire over the petty things I’m going through today, but there is coming a day when everything this world has put God’s children through will cause His anger to show itself. For mankind my heart breaks. But for the wicked in this world I long for justice. And while it gives me no solace to fix my heartaches of today, I know God is righteous when He allow me to go through what I do, because it will create a better Shari. I won’t pretend I like it. I won’t even pretend that I’m not wishing for God to take me out of it, but I will be as David was and I will praise Him in the storm because I know there’s a clear day in my future.

Do you ever think about how much the Lord Delights in you?

[16] He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. [17] He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. [18] They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. [19] He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

I must confess, that there are days when I wonder why anyone would care about me. I say that not to create pity for myself but just to say, I know how I fail God and man. so it’s not easy to understand why people truly care. And yet they do. The things of this earth that are drawing my mind away from God are too strong for me. I am so glad that my Lord brings me back into a place of delight as He did today by showing me these words that are so sweet to my soul.

God loves us. He loves us enough to allow His Son to die on a cross as the final sacrifice for mankind to allow nothin in this world to come between us and Him. But I allow it. And because of that I deny the Lord the only thing I can truly give Him. Me.

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You Brought it On Yourself

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on You Brought it On Yourself

That’s the words that have played out in my mind a thousand times. So much so that it had taken it’s toll on me spiritually. The words had been spoken to me about an issue of the past, but it might as well have been today, because the sting of those words were like that of a bee who’s stinger was made of steel and never dulled. Nor did it grow weary of the reminder to me, you failed again Shari. When I think back to that day, the flesh was ready to rise. But I squelched it back down as I most often do, saying to myself, you deserve this. “You brought it upon yourself.” I really didn’t need the reminder from the person who said it. I’ve always kept good tabs on times I’ve let myself and others down. So today, after much anguish, I decided to study this one out, for everyone who hears the words “You brought it on yourself,” and struggles with selfdoubt, guilt and shame.

If you ask most people their advice on how to handle such things, those who are not necessarily that spiritual, if at all, they’ll tell you that you also bring the self-doubt, guilt and shame on yourself. They believe we have the power to change the narratives in our lives that do not serve us well. Really? Do we? Do “I” have the power within myself to defeat the demons that continuosly plague my mind with whispers from the outside.

As a child of God, no demonic spirit can dwell within me. I cannot be possessed because the Spirit of Almighty God that resides inside me would not allow it. But that doesn’t stop demonic forces on the outside. Or even my own fleshly thoughts that may be more at fault than anything! So what’s a girl to do? Today I find myself in the Garden of Guilt. Have you ever been there? Where every bad decision you’ve ever made is a weed choking out any hope of the flowers of success. And if they’re not bad enough, Satan will also use people to shine the spotlight on your faults.

Does this sound like I’m in a pit of dispair? I’m really not. And before any of the many friends I have come by my house tonight with boxing gloves ready to take on my enemies, you’d have to start with me. Sometimes I’m the worst enemy I have. What happens to be the worst culprit at putting me in this frame of mind is the fact I’m not feeling well. That seems to bring on times like this. So, it’s time to fight back with the only weapon I have that can defeat this mindset and this enemy. The Word of God.

My mind was drawn to the man with unclean spirts that Christ ran across in the country of the Gadarenes among the tombs. So many spirits within this one man that they were called “Legion.” I have to wonder if the man were not ADD. I happen to be and there are times that my mind feels as though there is a Legion outside of it. Sometimes that Legion is also known as children and grandchildren, Andy Griffith or John Wayne, the events of David (my husband)’s day, and the dinging of messages and emails and phone calls all vying for a piece of my mind’s attention. It’s then I retreat to the bedroom, away from the legion. My distractions are that of people that I love, but not so for the man in the tombs. He had people who loved him, Christ tells him later to go tell his “family” what happened. But the legion of spirits within him had driven him away from those he loved.

Regardless of where the noise is coming from there comes a time we have to recognize that we need Jesus to reign in our thoughts and take control. The voices inside Legions mind were telling him to hurt himself. They gave him great strength so that he could break the bonds that people put on him to try and control him. Night and day he suffered at the will of the demons.

Demonic forces are a very real occurance that most Christians choose not to think on. And I can understand that. It’s scary, boogie man thoughts that cause nightmares. But there’s an awareness that needs to be there. If my mind is traveling to dark places, it’s not going there by God’s leading. The words “You brought this on yourself.” are not of God. And if not of God, then who? And why is that phrase stuck on repeat in my mind.

Because words are binding much like those chains that Legion wore, and every bit as hard to break in the flesh. Whom ever it was that coined the phrase, “sticks and stone will break your bones but words will never hurt you,” were clueless. Words do hurt and they bind the mind with chains of the past. Chains that prevent success on any playing field.

The man in the tombs in Mark 5 is said to have run to Jesus worshipping Him when he saw Him afar off. The spirits inside of him knew God. They knew that the power of God could and would remove them from the life of the man. Christ did just that and sent the spirits into 2000 pigs that ran violently down a steep hill and into the sea to drown! Two Thousand! We sometimes treat the stories in the bible as if they’re “just a story.” No, they’re true events. Christ spoke and the legion was gone. Glory to God does that not give us HOPE!

Christ did not say to the man in the tombs, “you brought this on yourself.” His words were Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

Move forward, don’t forget the past but rather learn from it and never let it control you. That was my message today from the Lord.

The world wasn’t happy with what Jesus had done. It scared them that One would have such power. We should be in awe that within us there is One that has such power! I’m not sure how the man came to be possessed by the legion of spirits. Perhaps he was dabbling in the spirit world that he should not have been. But Christ did not tell him to relive his failure, He told him to tell the world where his success came from. Glory to God is that not a good word!!! I am in awe of God this morning who has encouraged my soul and I feel as though I just came out of the tombs. I hope you have been blessed by this word.

Mark 5:1-20

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

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The Concerns of the Called of Christ

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Concerns of the Called of Christ

As a child of God, there is a question foremost in my mind, most of the time. “Why do I feel like such a failure in service to God?” I attempt to remain faithful to the calling in my life, but I am no Apostle Paul, nor even an “Apostlette Pauline” I allow the flood waters of life to come up around my neck and make me feel as if I’m drowning. Of course I cannot be because I am a child of God and He protects me from that defeat, but the emotion of being peril is very much real. Using the word peril may seem a tad dramatic. But then again so am I. Those flood waters that have come upon me are not killing me but can, if I don’t get a grip on it, kill my effectiveness for the Kingdom.

In 2nd Corinthians Paul is telling a group of believers of his struggles, which in comparison make mine look like someone just took my binky. But in what I feel is frustration on Paul’s part with the Corinthians, and the danger of them being overtaken in false doctrine and religion, he tells them of his foundation in his identity:

2 Corinthias 11

Called out in Christ

22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

Paul is calling out the religious of the day, who think they are above all because of their position in Jewish Religion. They love saying that they are the chosen of God even though at this present time in scripture, they have forsaken Him, killed His only begotten Son and murdered His ministers. A notion we should keep in mind when dealing with religious people. They are not friends of God, because a friend of God put’s himself or herself above no man or woman because they understand that in Christ we are sinners saved by His grace alone.

Confident in His Calling

23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

Paul let’s them know that the life of a child of God isn’t tea and roses. It’s filled with struggles, persecution and conflict. But the world would have you to believe otherwise. He had told them earlier in this chapter in verse 3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Paul worried about people of Corinth falling to lies of Satan and those who serve him. And even though a saved person is saved from the wrath of Hell, a loss of confidence can occur when certain things happen in their lives:

  • Ungodly influences
  • Failure to attend a local church
  • Listening to false doctrine
  • Failure to pursue your relationship with God

The last item on that list is the easiest for me to fall to and lose my confidence in what I know in Christ. If I do not stay in the word of God, when someone comes to me with a question or I’m witnessing to someone, I am not at all confident in my ability to relay God’s word in a manner they’ll understand. Paul knew that, and he knew that the people of Corinth were listening to people who were leading them astray, deceiving them as Satan deceived Eve in the garden by twisting the word of God. We need to understand that all who preach Christ, do not necessarily preach Him correctly.

So how do we protect ourselves? Read the word yourself! Allow the Spirit to speak to you and He’ll reveal the truth. God is faithful. It’s in those times that you will build your confidence, just as I am this morning as I read and study God’s word.

Concerned for the Churches

26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

In all the struggles and perils that Paul had, the real kind of peril, not my kind. Paul never stopped concerning himself for God’s people.

In the first two verses of chapter 11 Paul speaks to the depth of his concern:  Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

While I make no profession of being as committed as Paul, I have that concern with the Jesus Chick Ministry that I will fail you in my work for Christ. I love each one of you who take the time to read these posts and pray, “Would to God, we are together in glory.” Amen.