Posted in failure, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, Life Inspiration

Seriously, How many times have I been here?

Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, made mistakes. So I guess I’m in good company. Not that I am remotely as wise as he, I’m more often than not like the subject he’s preaching to; but I found that to be an interesting thought none the less this morning. That even the wisest man to ever live had days of stupidity. Seriously, a thousand women in his life? What would every make him think that was a good idea? One is more than sufficient for any man to have to contend with. Speaking of course for my husband, but its truth.  

It is so easy for me to look back on my. 58 years, nearing 59, with deep regret and remorse for having lived much of my life at the fleshes will. When I read Proverbs 23 this morning, verse nine stung as it read: Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words. 

How many times I’ve despised wisdom. I’ve been down right resentful of people who gave me good solid advice, often times chocking it up to the notion that they felt themselves better than I. Always suffering from a lack of confidence or sometimes too much confidence in my own wisdom. That almost feels laughable this morning… but it’s not funny. Because it came with a price. There’s something about the book of Solomon that will cut to the very core of an individual. Oh yeah, that would be the Spirit of God. 

He’s handier than a pocket on a shirt and every bit as close. I’m glad God does not grow tired, or I would wear Him out.

Along this 58 year path I’ve seen landmarks from other believers and nonbelievers alike who have walked a pathway much like mine.

[10] Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: [11] For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee. 

Some of their landmarks were more like skid marks  or a mound of dirt where they’d barely slid into home, narrowly escaping their own demise from poor decisions. Others had landmarks that were like pillars on the side of the road marking a successful mile. I’ve had several of both. And then there is the landmark where I’ve driven the stake deep into the ground to make sure it couldn’t be moved, like that of my faith in Jesus Christ. No matter how many times I’ve failed, or when I’ve had the rare success, my Lord and Savior has been there to give me what I stood in need of (a pat on the back or a swift kick in the seat of the pants), always and forever pleading my cause just like He does the fatherless.

Before salvation I had that as an excuse, no Spirit guiding me except the flesh. Now I am without excuse for failure, because I have the Holy Spirit with in me guiding me, I just often refuse to listen. But there is still God. Pleading my cause because I am redeemed by the blood of His Son.  

I’d like to say that I have gotten wiser as these years have progressed, but I really can’t. Not when it comes to certain areas of my life. I’m still creating mounds of dirt on the side of the road where the Lord is dragging me forward. But where I have lived without regret has been in the role of “the Jesus Chick.” I love taking His word and applying it to my life in a way that it covers the scuff marks on my knees and allows me to walk with my head up high saying… “Yep, God told me that.”

[12] Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. [16] Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. [18] For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

What great joy it brought my soul this morning to understand that God understands. He was fully aware of my human errors before they were committed. It did not stop Him from loving me and from expecting better of me. God expects great things from me! Now, whether or not I deliver, I do not know. But I’m going to keep trying and so should you. I’ll look for landmarks today that other’s have set, and perhaps try to set a few of my own. I hope to see you along the path or perhaps hear how your journey is going. God bless! ~ Shari

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Life Inspiration

How to Apply the Balm

Why is it that the people of God seemed to be so continually perplexed when it comes to the things of life? Parents have no concept on how to raise their children without the help of books by authors they’ve never met, the school is left to discipline and teach manners of those that don’t even read the help books, and the moral decay of our schools is evident on the evening news. It is for certain a scary world we live in. The adults aren’t any better off than many youth; morality is situational and objective for themselves, but yet they believe it should all means be defined by the law for all others. Police are viewed as the enemy, there is no respect for authority from the White House to the Church house and in the words of a man who once attended our church but fell out to world “We’re in a mess.” So what’s the answer? Before you think this is a blog of discouragement and chastisement, read on.

This is a word that will sooth your soul…

Jeremiah 8:22 says:

Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Israel’s idea of the law had become subjective and their world was in a mess too. And so Jeremiah, the weeping prophet; who preached repentance to God’s people, had the same questions that I had at the beginning of this blog. I have those questions because I see so much heart ache and pain in every direction. Parents want to be good parents, children want a home filled with love, employers want trustworthy staff, churches want committed members, but it all seems to be unraveling because nobody is asking the right questions.

Where is our healing? Where it’s always been… in the Balm of Gilead. Jesus.

I know, I know, His name is on billboards, social media memes and in every sermon you’ve heard preached, and yet your world is still a mess. I think I know why. Because we’re not applying the balm.

The Acknowledgement

God has been after me for…. Ever… to use my talents in a greater methods. You see, I know I have the abilities… I just don’t apply them. You know your own issues, but when have you actually applied Jesus’ word to it? And what does that look like?

The Accountability

Israel needed to repent. They thought their ways were good enough and God would take care of them, because after all, they were the chosen. Don’t we each feel sometimes that God will cover us, come what may, even if we’re not exactly where we should be? Or is it only me? Repentance doesn’t necessarily mean that we have some massive sin, (although it could). But it could mean that you have a spirit of rebellion by not seeking God’s solution before mans.

I see more and more frustrated parents who seldom if ever darken the door of the Lord’s house with their children and yet they want good kids. Good kids need to know the only One who is good. Jesus. He is the balm that can sooth the heartache in the homes that are filled with disrespect and unruly children.

Another often heard conversation I have is with people who are hurting because friends and family have let them down and left them broken. I see people who have been abused in ways that I can’t even imagine and they have no desire to seek the One who can apply a balm to their heart and soul that will heal that hurt for eternity and love them as they long to be loved. He’s a cry away.

The Application

The Balm of Gilead known as Jesus, isn’t available online or in the store. It’s freely available for the asking. Salvation is immediate upon the request to ask Jesus to come into your life and accepting His work on the cross as payment for your sin. But peace,direction, guidance,  contentment, happiness and a wholesome life is only found in those who continually seek a relationship with Jesus for their home. Now… everyone may not be saved in the home, but the one who is can seek the guidance and wisdom of God, and to the best of their ability, live it. As it’s lived, the healing balm is applied. And sometimes it even gets onto the ones who have rejected the Lord and they too feel it’s soothing effects and desire to know the Lord of all, Jesus