election – The Jesus Chick

Posted in Christian Service, Eternity, Evangelism, Faith

The Only Election that Matters

Written by talk2shari Published January 12, 2022January 12, 2022 Discussion Leave a Comment

Although 2022 is an off season election, as my first year in the position of Publisher of the Ridgeview News, I have a little different vantage point to look upon the election antics of those running for office. But this morning as I wrote the early morning news, and I sought out the Lord’s attention in my day, the thought of being an elect in the Kingdom of God was fresh on my mind as I read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 KJV

[1] Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. [2] We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; [3] Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; [4] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

I thought about being the Jesus Chick all these many years, and the great joy that writing brings me. I write myself happy all the time! I want my writing to be an encouragement to the reader. Paul, Timotheus and Silvanus, wrote to the church of Thessalonians to encourage them as well. They wanted that community to experience grace and peace that comes from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. I want my community to share in that same experience.

Although there were certainly cultural difference in the day of Paul and the others, their message wasn’t any more accepted than ours by the politics and the religion of the day. But if we read the word of God, and apply it to our lives as Paul suggests we will share in that great experience of knowing our “election of God.”

Not an election to an office, for this epistle isn’t written to the officers of the church only, but to the whole church! Everyone who accepts Christ as Savior. It’s not talking about our calling, which we all have one on our lives to serve God in some manner, but rather it speaks of the eternal choice of a loving God to give us eternal life and happiness. An act made long before any one of us were born, before the world began and is the effect of His pure love and free favor. We’re not “running” for this position as in the days of modern elections. No, we’re in! The ballot box is closed!

But there is a “but”. We’re elected, but we won’t enjoy the perks of that position without the three fold evidence that Paul speaks of the Thessalonians having.

The Work of Faith

Do you have a work of faith? Is there something that you do that you consider your ministry and an evident work for the Kingdom? A preacher and Pastor has a calling, but they have a work of faith as well. I will not speak for my own beloved Pastor Steven as to what he considers his work of faith, but I consider it to be the great peace and wisdom he has brought to our church through the teaching of the word. But other Pastors may have an entirely different work. And I guess it could change daily. But there’s plenty to do for the Kingdom for everyone. And just like we want our elected officials to fulfill the roles they’ve been voted into, God no doubt wants to see something happening with us.

The Labor of Love

Is there a difference between labor and work? Perhaps work is the product of the effort and labor is the attitude commitment put into it. I’m not really sure, but obviously there is a difference. Do you love serving God? I’ve seen people that didn’t appear to and I’ve seen people that the joy oozed out of them. And then I’ve seen plenty of people in between, probably the vast majority just going through the motions of what must be done and never reall enjoying it. I pray when I serve that people understand that I am enjoying the work of the Lord! I’ve done some of the same “labors” for 25 years. And I still enjoy it. I don’t see it as a chore but as an opportunity to be creative for God. That is a true labor of love!

The Patience of Hope

Do you have it? Are you patiently waiting on the Hope that is Christ Jesus? We need this patience and we need to share this patience in this world where hope is all but gone in the faces of most of the people we meet. I see such a need for it in the frustrate moms and dads, and more so in the grandparents who are so worried about the world our children are being raised in. It’s fleeting in the face of an addict without a supportive network of people. A family on their last paycheck before unemployment runs out needs to know that Jesus knows, and they never will unless we show them. Some days my hope is fleeting and I need encouragement, praise God for His Word and His people.

I pray I’ve encouraged you today to think on these things. What is your work of faith? What is your labor of love and what is your patience of hope? Share Jesus and watch all three come to life and the joy that comes from it!

Posted in Christian Service, Faith, Family, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

Take a Stand

Written by talk2shari Published December 10, 2020December 10, 2020 Discussion Leave a Comment

I have read and written from the book of Nehemiah multitudes of times. It’s a book of encouragement from the standpoint of the defense and rebuilding of a nation. If we were truly a Biblical nation, this would be a reading assignment for every American. But we are not. Like Nehemiah and Israel our Nation is under duress and in great danger, and yet we’re Christmas shopping, singing carols in our cars and pretending as if life outside our home is normal. Until you realize it’s not. But then we feel overwhelmed and wonder what to do next.

I called upon folks Monday to contact their Senators. I’m doing it again. Like Nehemiah take your place on the wall and tell the world we will not be silenced. We want a nation we can have pride in and a governmental system that we can trust. And that won’t happen until the people tell the leaders. You’re it. You are the people. We cannot wait for someone else to do it for us.

Nehemiah 4:11-15 KJVS

Like Israel, we’re under attack from within

[11] And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.

We’ve been warned by those who honestly report the news*

[12] And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.

It’s Families who will cause the defense of America, else it won’t happen

[13] Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

One Prophet started it all, the church has got to stand up

[14] And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

Please, get to work and write or call your elected officials and tell them you know the truth of the attack against our Nation

[15] And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.

https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=WV

Here is my letter:

Copy it, or write your own. But what ever you do, do with passion and prayer!

Dear Senators Capito and Manchin:

As a proud citizen of West Virginia, and a prouder citizen of Heaven (Ephesians 2:6) it has broken my heart to see the sad state of affairs of the United States. And while I realize you are but 2 of the many representatives of our nation, you represent the people of the great state of West Virginia who made their voice clear when they re-elected President Trump. Yes, I believe, and I figure you know, that the election was a farce and nothing short of tyranny on the side of the National Democratic Party. If you allow this to go unchecked and unanswered for you are not worthy of the calling you have received as Senator. I don’t say that lightly. The Bible tells me to respect those in authority and I take scripture serious. That word also goes for you.

I know I’m not alone when I voice my concern for the system of rightful election that has always had issues but is now on the edge of extinction. If you do not stand up for what’s right you can guarantee the next election will be far worse and less participated in and the blame will lie with you and all others in Washington who haven’t bothered to straighten their back bones, remove their yellow stripes and stand up for the rights of their people.

We are at a crossroads. You either defend us, or you you stand before God and Nation answering for your sins. And yes, it’s a sin to know to do right and not do it. James 4:17 KJV says “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Case closed.

So, I implore you to do what we have elected you to do. Defend us. And stand on the principles of the Christian faith you profess. There is no election fraud acceptable. Please join the Eighteen states who have joined a Texas lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

We need to rebuild our country, and it starts by rebuilding faith in the officials we elected.

Shari Johnson

The Jesus Chick

www.theJesusChick.com

*BLAZETV.COM, FGGAM.ORG

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Eternity, Grace, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Those in Denial Need Not Respond

Written by talk2shari Published October 23, 2020October 23, 2020 Discussion Leave a Comment

I’m a little frustrated with myself that after 4 days of not having a blog post up, my mind is here. But it is, and I might as well park here for a second and get it out of my system. I’m praying that as I go along I’m in the Spirit, not the flesh. I can assure you that one of those is far easier than the other. I’ve been very outspoken about my political stand lately. Because it has spiritual repercussions that are far beyond what most people in this world understand. And no, I’m not saying that I’m a spiritual genius. Far from it. But what I am is informed and in tune with the Spirit of God. And I’ll not apologize or back down from what I believe is truth.

The Final Debate:

Even in the midst of it (the Presidential debate) last night, a person I adore, sent me a post of our President from 1999 about a statement he had made about being pro-choice. What do I have to say about that? “Praise God he changed his mind! And I’m glad that my decisions of 20 years ago are under grace. Now let’s talk about today.” Man (and woman) are as unstable as cooked spaghetti. But God…

For I am the Lord, I change not, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. ~ Malachi 3:6

There is no debate with God. He doesn’t change His mind, nor does He change His ways, and He for certain hasn’t changed His attitude toward sin. Let me speak from the heart, when I say that my decision to vote for President Trump, to respect the man that God put into office, has nothing to do with who he was in 1999 or any year prior to 2020. My decision was made from information obtained from media sources that isn’t in the hands of the government. CNN, NBC, CBS and unfortunately parts of FOX could be called “the State News.” I literally stay tuned in no less than 6-8 hours a day. I’m not kidding. That doesn’t mean that I’m sitting glued to it. It just means that its playing in the background of whatever I’m doing.

What makes me so sure that my news is different? Because the world hates them.

“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” ~ 1 John 3:13

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” ~ John 15:18

“The world cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” ~ John 7:7

Woah baby, that sums it up, does it not? The world hates the truth. The Democrats (nationally) have gone after President Trump since 2016 because he didn’t play politics. For him it wasn’t about making a name for himself, he already had. (And not always a good one.) But it was about his stewardship. He took this country out of the economic demise it was in and put us back up on less than shaky ground. Far from out of trouble, but far from the trouble the democratic government had us in. He spoke to men and women of God and accepted their prayer and proclaimed the name of Jesus Christ.

But they were offended. Accusing him of using Christ’s name as a political tactic. But they didn’t mind Obama using Ala? Hmmmm, I wonder why? Why would anyone who calls themselves a Christian, be offended by a President who prays in the name of Christ Jesus or gives credence to those who preach in His name.

Look at King Darius of the days of Daniel. When he was anything but a Jehovah God worshipper and yet by Daniel’s life and testimony he decreed this:

“I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.” ~ Daniel 6:26

He knew Daniel’s God was the true God. I believe the same of President Trump. There were times when President Trump would have made the mistakes of Darius, but he’s came a long way because he has surrounded himself, not with politicians, (although they’re their) but he has included, into the mix, God’s people as well. Including a Vice President who is a wonderful outspoken unapologetic Christian man. Glory to God! I just wrote myself happy.

Biden and Harris are corrupt people who have made millions off the American people at the expense of their families. I’m not saying that in judgement. It’s a fact. It is no wonder they see nothing wrong with killing children, because they don’t care for their own. I’ll not apologize for that. Like I said, I’ve been watching an unbiased news and I know the truth because the Spirit of God reveals it to me when I ask. Do I believe every word out of the mouth of every person on the news I watch.

In the words of Biden himself, “Come on man….”

“Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.” ~ Job 31:6

I’ll stand accountable for what I say. Not what anyone else says. But when I hear the truth and the Spirit says listen… I do. And for the record, When we all stand before God, he’s not going to say, “Well done thou faithful Democrat or Republican,” but rather SERVANT. And if you’re serving baby killers, then you are serving the god Molech. Be not deceived.

This election isn’t about money. It’s about evil and control. If you are a professed child of God, I beg of you. Hit your knees and ask God to reveal the truth. He is faithful. We have two weeks to decide whether or not this nation ends up in the lions den with or without angels. Right now there is a spiritual realm waiting God’s direction, and God knows the outcome.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ~ 1 Peter 5:8

There will not be a final debate in the presence of God. His Word is final.

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

A Day Out From the Big Lie

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

Yesterday I was somewhat in shock; as was the Clinton campaign. I had gone to bed assuming what the media was informing me of was true, that Clinton was a sure win. Shocker! They didn’t know. It’s why I had stopped watching the television news altogether. Between the lies and the anti-God spin of everything, it kept my stomach in knots. So a day out from the big lie and my mind’s a little clearer, my hearts a little happier and I have a few thoughts on the new President elect.

Humility

2 Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

For certain there have been times when President Elect Donald Trump was less than humble and may be again, it is his personality. But during the latter part of his campaign, he apologized, accepted responsibility, and graciously accepted his win without arrogance. I believe they call that humility and it’s a great start. A humble attitude is one that God can work with. Yesterday I was humbled. I truly felt that God had heard the cry of His people in America. Again and again, (but not nearly enough) I thanked God for the election results. I truly believe it’s a chance for America to return to the right path.

Prayerfully

Now that God has offered the opportunity, it is up to the American people to pray for not only our President and President Elect, but for each other. I began praying for Donald Trump’s protection and that of Vice-President Elect Pence. I don’t think Satan is the least bit happy about Tuesday’s results and he’d love to destroy the work God has begun. He can’t, any more than he controlled Tuesday. But he can wreak havoc with us and will if we don’t stay humbly on our face before God.

Intentionally

Seeking the face of God is an intentional act. You don’t “happen upon Him.” It’s deliberate act in hopes of receiving His attention, mercy, grace, and blessing. Now is not the time to go back to business as usual in our spiritual life. God answered our prayer; now we need to seek His wisdom for ourselves, our leaders and our nation has a whole. We need to turn from the wicked ways of the past and turn to our future hope which is the Lord Jesus Christ. Boldly and unashamedly, glorify our God to a nation that had all but walked away from Him. Including the church He died for. Churches are empty and attitudes are lacks’. God is so far down on the list of priorities that He barely gets an honorable mention. And He play second fiddle to nothing or no one, and our Nation’s path can turn on a dime without warning back on the road to destruction unless we put God back in first place.

God has forgiven a lot. Now is not the time to turn our backs on Him again. Set your heart to serve Him greater! And He can make this nation great again.

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

Avoiding Transgression at the Election Polls

Written by talk2shari Published November 4, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

“Then Came Amalek.” A sermon that I heard preached over ten years ago and I can’t for the life of me remember the preacher; but I can remember the sermon because it made such an impact on my life. It’s heavy on my heart as I prepare to go to the polls of Election 2014. Every single box that I check has implications on my future. Somehow America has forgotten that they are the ones held accountable for who is elected. There are times when we in good conscience elect an idiot, usually because we don’t have all the fact or they’re a great deceiver. It never ceases to amaze me when they get reelected.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!

We may forget transgressions, God however does not.

The Amalekite’s transgression:

Deuteronomy 25:17-19

Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt; How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.

The Amalekites were the first ones to attack Israel as they left Egypt and they attacked them from behind where the feeble and defenseless of the Israelites were located. God could have wiped them from the face of the earth that day, but he waited for an appointed time. When the children of Israel had been at rest for some time this would become a test of obedience for Saul.

In 2 Samuel 15:3-5 Saul has been given the final go ahead by God to “utterly destroy” the Amalekites.

Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.

Saul failed. He didn’t utterly destroy the Amalekites, he kept back the elite and allowed his men to keep the best of the best from the Amalekite property. And judgment came.

²²And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

²³For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Here’s the Word I received on Election Day 2014

When the attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon occurred it wasn’t necessarily on the feeble but it was on innocent lives that had nothing to do with a battle field. And I believe that America for a few days acknowledged the power of God and His sovereignty over our Nation. We did repent… but not utterly. Our leadership kept some of the spoils and we who elect them allowed those who dishonor God to continue to be in office.

Deciding who to vote for isn’t easy. Israel wanted a King because the rest of the world had one. Saul looked like a king but when push came to shove he sided with the world. He kept the pretty people and the pretty stuff. Those on the ballot may look the part, but what about their hearts. Finding someone who “utterly destroys Amalekitian thinking” and refuses to go against godly principles is tough… if not impossible. (I know Amalekitian is not a word, but for effect it works)

A few automatic red flags for me is:

If they supported abortion, they’ll have no support from me.
If they campaigned on Sunday, they lost me there too.
If the proof’s not been in the puddin’ for their last term as an incumbent. They won’t likely do a better job next time around.
I’ll support my community, I will not however support mismanagement.
I’ll pray for wisdom for me and for my community. I’ll love them… democrat, republican, libertarian, mountain or constitution party.
I have but one King. His name is Jesus.

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

God, the Girdle and the Glory!

Written by talk2shari Published October 27, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Strange title I know, but an even a stranger story that pierced my soul this morning as I read it. Jeremiah, who was only about 17 when God called him, was known as the weeping prophet. He knew what God’s judgment would bring to Israel and no matter how he cried or warned the people would not listen. In one such warning God gave Jeremiah an illustration using a girdle; not one of our modern day vices that conceals our fluffiness, but a belt worn by a man.

Jeremiah 13

¹Thus saith the Lord unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

²So I got a girdle according to the word of the Lord, and put it on my loins.

³And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying,

⁴Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.

⁵So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the Lord commanded me.

It is said that the belt symbolized the close relationship that God desired with man. So Jeremiah did as he was told and hid the girdle in the hole in the rocks for many days until God told him to dig it up. When he dug up the belt, it was ruined; the scripture said it was good for nothing. God explained the illustration to Jeremiah in verses 10-11:

¹⁰This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and ~ worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.

¹¹For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

I know that the prophecy is about Israel, but oh how our beloved America echoes their behavior. I’m not a doom and gloom personality. I love seeing the cup half full. But deed we make it hard. America was that girdle once upon a time that put God in His proper place, held tightly by a faith unwavering. He was written into the founding father’s plan for our nation only to be removed generations later by a leadership who has cowered to Godless religions that seek to destroy us from within. Well… that sounded a bit doomsday didn’t it?

But it’s true… they will not hear.

We were created in His image, for His glory. As Gentiles we were adopted into His family because the nation of Israel turned their back on Him and today we as a nation do the same. So what’s a gal to do? It appears we can’t fix Washington… or so Satan would have us believe. I will never give up on the possibility that God will turn us around again. But it’s going to take more than words.

It takes votes – November 4th

It takes valor – When the world says it’s acceptable, we have to stand our ground and say not it’s not.

It takes vigilance – we have to be on constant guard of what Satan is trying to do.

It takes vengeance – Not ours but Gods.

Please pray throughout the coming week. Imagine if we viewed these next coming days like the wall of Jericho, and we march every day in silent prayer, and then come Tuesday we shout! We look at the ballot from God’s perspective and tear down the lies that Washington is hiding behind. It could really happen if we lived what we say we believe.

My prayer is that as a nation we bind God tightly around us and then wait for His Glory.

Posted in Uncategorized

Today’s the day!

Written by talk2shari Published April 9, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Or I guess tonight’s the night – that our church will vote on a new Pastor. For nine months we’ve waited… I find that amount of time ironic, perhaps it’s symbolic of a new birth of new ideas and new direction for my beloved Victory Baptist Church. For me personally it’s been a knot in my stomach that I’ve been waiting to untie. I want this chapter of the unknown closed. We’ve had nine months of leadership that was crème de la crème. As the scripture said in Isaiah 49:10

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

We’ve not thirsted, nor been exhausted; we were led by the sweetest waters of the gospel and guided by the Holy Spirit. But it’s not the same as having a full time, committed man of God to oversee the flock. The visionary of the congregation. One of the wisest men of all times, King Solomon himself said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18.

A Pastor sets the vision, the goals of the congregation for growth of the Kingdom and the longer we were without someone in that position the further away we became from the previous vision. Although we had great temporary leadership, the uncertainty of what the new leadership would bring always made the direction we were going hesitant.

So what now?

Tonight we vote yay or nay to the new man. If you are a person of prayer, please take the time today to lift our congregation up to the Lord for wisdom and unity. This journey has not been without bridges to cross. There has been more than one side, but the river of life clearly flowed between them both. Wow… I guess I’m speaking very metaphorically. A church the size of ours, and as vocal as we are in a small community gets attention; and it’s not always good. People from the outside look for cracks in the armor of God and it doesn’t usually take them long to find it. We’re not a perfect people, we’re a perfectly loved people. We don’t always agree and sometimes things are said that should have never been said. We’re human and most importantly we’re family. I’d challenge anyone to look me in the eye and say they’ve had a perfect relationship with everyone in their life or that you’ve never stood in need for grace.

Am I saying there is a great division among our people? Nope. I don’t know that there’s any division among our people, but I know that if Satan has his way, there can be.

Here’s my prayer request for you:

Pray for direction
Pray for a unified church
Pray for the Pastor candidate and his family

My prayer for you is that you are a part of the body of Christ and are serving in the congregation of the Lord that He has chosen for you. Being an active part of a local church is vital to your spiritual growth. Choose wisely!