Tag: aware

Posted in Bible Journaling, Eternity, Evangelism, Life Inspiration, Praise, salvation, testimony, Word of God

What Direction are you Going?

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on What Direction are you Going?

It’s a question I have to ask myself daily. Actually, multiple times a day, because every decision I make takes me in a direction. If I’m scrolling social media and a negative or immoral post pops up, (to which there are plenty!) I have to choose if I’m going to linger there in that place or quickly scroll past. Am I going to comment or leave it alone? Once that decision is made, what will be the effect? Oh my stars, life can be hard! But it doesn’t have to be. God knew about Social media and any other thing in our life when He gave David or Ezra (it’s been said to be one or the other) the words of Psalm 1 to pen around 444 B.C.

I find it interesting that sin is sin, no matter the century. And although we may struggle in various ways throughout the centuries, the way they vary, isn’t by much. Perhaps only by technique.

As I begin to ponder the upcoming 2025, I truly want my relationship with God to be deeper and my walk steady. Nothing in my life is ever very steady. I fluctuate daily on focus, attitude, and strength, both physically and spiritually. Lord, help me to be a better Shari. If this is your story too, pray that prayer with your name and let’s study together.

The Way of the Righteous

Psalm 1:1-6
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. [3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

I have a hard time thinking of myself as righteous. I know the level of wickedness that can be within me at any time. But my righteousness does not come from any means of my own, but rests entirely upon the righteousness of my salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ. He saved me even knowing my struggle to keep a pure mind, a good attitude and a focus on Him.

Psalm 1:1 reminds us that our daily surroundings are fundamental to our ability to focus on the things of God. We cannot walk, stand or sit with wickedness of this world, whether it is in the form of people, media or any other type of exposure. Yes it’s there, right in front of us in this world, but we can move out of its path if we so choose. The problem is we often choose to linger far longer than we should, allowing the corrupt world to penetrate our thoughts and sew seeds of doubt, immorality, anger, etc. in our minds and hearts that take root very deep. But the word of the Lord acts as a weed killer and gets in there, uprooting that ugliness that we allowed to enter and then washes it away, planting fruits of godliness in its stead. But we have to be in His word. Opening it up daily. The inward body is no different than the outward. It has to be cleansed. It is in His word that we find strength. I understand withering. I’ve felt that way for over a year. That I was withering away because of so many things in my life that are happening right now. And then I read these words… and suddenly I feel as if God just watered my soul and my withered self is unfolding and reaching toward the Heaven in praise! Can you feel it too?

The Way of the Unrighteous

[4] The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. [5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

There is a separation from “all things God” that the lost (those who do not know Jesus) are not even aware of. You cannot experience God if He’s not in your heart. What a very sad statement. And I know how sad because until 1996 I had never truly experienced the Lord. I knew of God, but I did not KNOW GOD.

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

There has to be a time when you come out of the sinful world you’re in and begin walking in the newness of Christ. When you begin to form a relationship with God as a very real Person in your life. Walking with Him. Not the world. Sitting with Him. Not the world. And finding delight in Him, again… not the world. The world wants you to be judgmental, miserable, covetous and envious. God wants you to be satisfied… which is the epitome of happiness.

When I am unsteady, it reminds me of my life before Christ. I know I’m not living the way God intended because He is the Rock of my salvation. He does not move.

In Him I find all in need for this day and every day.

The Way of God

[6] For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

God knows the way, and He knows you and I. He knows we struggle. But we don’t have to. In his word we can find our direction every day for every issue we face. In 444 BC it might have been a naked woman on the roof top. Today may be a naked body on social media. Different day, different technique of exposure, same sin. Were it not for God’s mercy David would have perished. But we will meet King David in eternity someday because He knew God.

Do you know Him? If not, there’s a salvation link on the top of my blog, please follow the link and learn Who Jesus is. If you do now Him, and like me you struggle daily to stay in tune with Him. Turn to His word daily. It’s a “spiritual wash cloth” as and an old preacher friend of mine once said. Bathe in His glory!!!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Common Creeps

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion 2 Comments on Common Creeps

So You Wanna Be a Contender

Everybody wants to go to Heaven, well, at least anyone with any sense wants to go. But a strong profession of faith will get you thrown into the theoretical and theological debates of life. It will make you enemy number one on the liberal agenda. But the great joy that comes from serving our Risen Savior makes it all worth while. So let’s contend together and do it using the wisdom that God has put at our fingertips. Like the book of Jude. As I read down through the  meager 25 verse book, the wealth of wisdom on its page far far outweighed the little space it consumed in scripture.

Jude 1:1-25 KJV

[1] Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: [2] Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. [3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude lays it out and encourages us that we should earnestly (with intense conviction) contend for our faith. 

Well They Wanna Be a Creep

 [4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [5] I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. [6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 

A memorable sermon from days gone by is “Creeps in the Church.” I’m not sure of the year for which Mike Worf preached it, but I remember the word, and the realization that within the church , most every church, there was probably a creep or two, trying to deceive the flock into thinking they were the real thing. But their agenda was anything but godly. But what I see going on right now is the battle of the world against the worshippers. They’re trying to stop the worship of Christ on any level, in any place. That is Satan’s agenda. And his tactics are vicious and vile. 

And They Wanna Be Corrupt

I’ve never been one who enjoyed crime dramas. They make me very uneasy and put thoughts in my mind that I don’t want to be there. I don’t understand the mindset of a criminal or anyone who can hurt people without regard. So now that I’m tuned into BlazeTV most every day, the level of corruption in our world is somewhat shocking! I much preferred living in my false reality where everything was peachy keen. But that’s not where God would have me right now. It’s very clear to me that I’m to make the world more conscientious of what’s happening around us in the spiritual realm. While there is plenty of wickedness in the flesh, that of the spiritual realm is in abundance and they know their time is limited. God’s Word is sure.

[7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. [8] Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. [9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. [10] But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. [11] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Read Numbers 16 about the demise of Koran (Core). It too makes me nauseous! I don’t have the heart to kill people. But God does, especially if they’re corrupting His people and challenging His authority. And while we don’t live in Old Testament times under Old Testament laws we still serve the same God. And just as Moses said to the men of Korah, there will come a time when God will prove “who are His and who are Holy.” Numbers 16:5

But until then, we’re to keep on contending for the faith. God is so worthy!  So in the church and out of the church be every conscious of those who come in among you and speak against any leadership. Leaders are ordained by God. And while not all are godly, they were often placed in those position so that God’s will can be accomplished. Michael the Archangel wouldn’t even speak against Satan, rather leaving him to God. 

I encourage you in your reading to read the book of Jude. It’s only 25 verses; but as you read, you cannot help but see that 2020 and 65 A.D. have serious commonalities.  Not only is there a common Salvation, but there are unfortunately “common creeps.” And as Jude, I write to you of “common salvation.” If you do not know Christ, then you are likely struggling greatly with our current times. Please, I pray you’ll message me and let’s talk about Jesus. 

I enjoyed this scripture this morning, because it reminds me that nothing catches God off guard. Not then, not now.