Tag: Encourage

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Eternity, Evangelism, Faith, Family, Heaven, Life Inspiration

Some Scary Words from Sunday School Class

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Some Scary Words from Sunday School Class

I love Bible conversations. And Sunday School class is the perfect time (if your church program is designed as such) to share thoughts on how the scriptures apply to our everyday lives. At First Baptist Church of Grantsville, one of the adult classes, (taught by Rick Godfrey) is working our way through the book of Ephesians. It was during this week’s study that the Lord really dinged my bell with Paul’s words in chapter 2, verse 20. But for reference sake, I’ll provide Ephesians 2:19-22

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

It was the word foundation that caused a little anxiety in my heart, which I’m sure sounds like an odd word to scare someone with. But hear me out…

In chapter 2, much of the text is Paul discussing the Jew and Gentile connections in the word of God and perhaps the prejudices of the day. A popular topic in America even today! (That’s not the scary word for which I’m blogging about today, by the way) but helps us to understand the relevance of God’s word. God adopting the Gentiles into the Kingdom was a new concept for the children of Israel. They’d been the star of this show since time began, and will be again in end times. But for then and now, Jew and Gentiles were on an even playing ground with the Lord.

But as Paul continues his Sunday School class with the community of Ephesus he tells them how the Jew and Gentile connection became the modern church of today. No denomination, just the believers in Christ Jesus which were built upon the foundation (the scary word) of the apostles and prophets. Apostles of the New Testament and the Prophets of the Old Testament. One book, two stories, now connecting all the people of God.

But when Rick Godfrey read the words of Ephesians 2:20, my mind focused on my own accountability to the Lord Jesus Christ on making sure I didn’t mess up the foundation for which my children and grandchildren and the people who are kind enough to follow “The Jesus Chick” blog stand on. That’s a scary thought.

When a stone structure is beginning to be built, the first block has to be laid in a manner that keeps every one to follow in line. In the church it’s called the Corner Stone, which is Christ. He is the foundation stone of our church. Perfect in every way. The apostles were the first to follow with their preaching of the Gospel of Christ. (Which God insured His word was perfect in every way. As the church began to grow, they understood the importance of making sure those who followed them understood and taught the word of God correctly. Those laying the spiritual blocks in the church continue today building upon what Christ began.

That’s our job folks. To keep building this structure of the living church, where each block represents a child of God, privileged to be a part of the Kingdom. But it appears the vast majority of the church think they’re a single stone and have no responsibility for keeping the building erected and moving toward Heaven. They’re stones mortared into the family of God, but they’re sitting there cockeyed or even outside the building and thinking that the structure is safe and sound.

THAT’S A SCARY THOUGHT!

How can the foundation of the building be safe when some of the stones are cockeyed or missing? And how do we think our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are going to make it to Heaven on the foundation that we are now in charge of, if we’re not in our place, studying and teaching them the word of God, or for Pete’s sake, we’re not even in the building.

I watch as families struggle, morals fail and respect is gone and realize it’s because the foundation of the church is on very shaky ground. But then I look at myself, who goes to church, takes part in leadership, loves reading the Bible and studying the word of God and yet my own failures are messing with the foundation. We all have a responsibility in building the Kingdom. It’s not just the Pastor’s job or the Deacons. Unfortunately in many churches they don’t even think it’s their job! The worldly church is too busy powdering the butts of the congregation and keeping them happy with coffee and donuts before service to concern themselves with laying a right mix of mortar to glue them together.

I know that’s a lot of metaphors and I hope I’m clear with what I’m saying and why this scared me.

This is why Sunday School Class is important. Having your family in church is important. Living the word of God, not just having it sit on the shelf is important. It’s the reason that families are falling a part. Not the only one, but one of the main foundational pieces of keeping the parents and children in line. If you’re in church that’s so wonderful! But what are you doing, what am I doing, to get the rest of my people mortared in?

Churches across the nation are sitting empty, children have their eyes glued to a computer or phone screen filled with both good and evil, but I’m pretty sure which one has the greater influence and it’s not the good. If we want our families saved and in the Kingdom with us for eternity there has got to be some conversing going on between us and them about the Word of God. And if not, they’ll likely not be there. Are you ready to do Heaven without them? I’m not.

That’s reality and that’s scary.

Life is not a game to be played, it’s a war to be won. I pray for us all, that today we’ll talk to someone we love about Jesus.

SHARI JOHNSON, THE JESUS CHICK

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

The Seducing of the American Church

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Seducing of the American Church

Now that the election is over, perhaps my mind will settle down a little, probably very little, but for at least this morning, I’m not thinking about politics. Nope. That’s a lie. This morning I’m thinking about the politics of the American Church, although it has been since the ancient of age in one form or another. Paul dealt with it in his day, and we continue.

Colossians 2:1-5 KJV
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; [2] That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; [3] In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. [5] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

The Seductive Lie

The problem that Paul was combating (struggling) in the Colossian church was likely the heresy known as Gnosticism (from the Greek word for knowledge). Gnosticism undermined the foundational Christian teaching that Paul had taught the church. The Gnostics insisted important, secret knowledge was hidden from most believers. But Paul taught, and we believe today, that Christ provides all the knowledge we need.

When I got saved, I had been around the Bible all my life. My Dad sat daily in his chair with the Bible across his lap, studying the word of God. But for me, prior to salvation, I could pick up the Bible and it might as well have been a geometry text book, because I understood it about that well. But February 18th, 1996, something happened. When I read the Bible, it was as if God read it back to me defined. The Spirit revealed the meaning of that scripture and from that point forward, I knew it was alive! I was speaking to God and He was speaking to me.

Paul taught that communication with Christ and one another was vital to church growth. The Gnostics thought and loved that they were in possession of a secret. That’s a problem. In John 18:20 it says “Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.”

The arrogance of anyone telling you that God tells them things that He doesn’t tell others, is a lie. Everything we need to know is in the Word of God. False teachers love it when everyone hangs on every word they say, because it gives them job security and makes those who follow them feel they can’t do without them. That is the seducing lie. Paul warned them not to be beguiled (deceived) by their enticing (seducing) words.

The Spiritual Snare

Gnostics believed that humans were divine beings trapped in the material world. Okay, so now I have the Madonna song stuck in my head, “Material Girl.” Nothing divinely spiritual about that. They also thought that the world was created by an imperfect spirit. They believed that to escape the material world, humans needed to gain gnosis, or special knowledge, from outside the material because spiritual reality was good, but physical reality was evil, including our physical bodies. Well, I did think of the Madonna song.

I can assure you the only divine thing about me, is Christ living in me! And to think that every physical thing is evil is ingratitude of the creation of God. Certainly we can put more value on the material things in the world than we should, but the things are not evil, it’s the heart of man that’s evil. Jeremiah 17:9 says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

It’s a snare of any preacher or teacher who does not look at the entire word of God, rather than picking and choosing what portions of it fits into their theories and agendas. That kind of thinking traps the believer into not relying on the Spirit for discernment. Never believe anything that cannot be backed up by the Word of God.

The Savior’s Humanity

The third gnostic deception was that because the physical bodies were evil, Christ couldn’t have possibly been human. While our very human minds find it hard to grasp God being fully God and fully human, this is God we’re talking about. He can do anything… except of course sin. But that didn’t stop Him from feeling the temptation of it. When Satan and Christ were in the wilderness for 40 days, surely Christ’s hunger was physical. Satan’s temptation with food would have been felt, but it wasn’t acted on. Rather Christ told him in Luke 4:4 “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

It’s important that a child of God understands that God understands. He experienced the same temptation that we do. But He was God. He did not succumb to the flesh, but rather relied on the God factor within Him to fight the temptation. The same God factor that is within us after salvation. We need to deepen our relationship with Christ, not depend on the preacher to be our only source of information. Gnosticism became fashionable in the second century AD. Even in Paul’s day, these ideas sounded attractive to many, and exposure to such teachings could easily seduce a church that didn’t know Christian doctrine well. Similar teachings still pose significant problems for many in the church today. We combat heresy by becoming thoroughly acquainted with God’s Word through personal study and sound Bible teaching.

Gnostic belief is an example of how false teaching and dependence upon man rather than God can seduce a believer away from reading the Word and hearing the Spirit speak. We need the preacher. But we need God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit more.

Read the Word!!!!

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

There’s a Difference Between Arrogance and Confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on There’s a Difference Between Arrogance and Confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 3:1 KJV
[1] Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

One of the many advantages of being in the Ministry is, that I have had the privilege of meeting many, many, preachers and teachers of the word of God. From the time of my salvation in 1996, I count it an honor of God that He placed ministers in my life – to the point that I felt as if I had instructors in the faith walking by my side daily for probably the first five years of my ministry. I had breakfast multiple times a week with ministry people who discipled me and allowed me to ask question after question, pouring into me the Word of God and its application to life. I had lunch once a week with brother Doyle Ballengee who taught me the way of the soul winner. I attended Bible College with instructors whose depth of knowledge was so vast I never ever grew weary of hearing them speak. I said all that to say this, their level of humility was every bit as deep as their knowledge. They knew from whence their wisdom came and they bore no credit, but gave the glory to God.

When Paul asked the question in verse one of 2nd Corinthians 3, saying (to Shari quote it), “We’re not patting ourselves on the back, nor do we need you to do it,” to anyone who didn’t know him it may have seemed arrogant. Paul was anything but arrogant. He may or may not have been arrogant when he was a Pharisee. But following his conversion to Christ, he never claimed glory for himself.

In Galatians 1:11-20, Paul tells of his humble beginnings as a minister of the Gospel which was not devised by human wisdom, nor had he received it from the other apostles; rather, he was taught directly by Jesus Christ Himself. He continues by reminding them that he had been trained in and was fanatically devoted to the traditions of Judaism. When God called Paul on the Damascus road, he was commissioned to preach the Gospel of Christ. He didn’t go to bible college or go to Jerusalem to receive instruction from the apostles. Rather, he went into Arabia for a time, and not until three years later did he go to Jerusalem. Can you imagine devoting yourself to the word of God in such a manner? I can’t, because I haven’t. I’ve been a minister of the gospel for 15 of my 28 years of Salvation. When I say minister, I mean that in the sense of speaking and teaching the Word of God. I do not have the confidence of Paul. Nor the reputation. I have too much Shari sometimes to keep my mouth shut. Which brought me to this study today. I have been accused of being judgmental, (due to my job as the Ridgeview News Publisher). The world loves the verse, in Matthew 7:1 that states simply, “Judge not that ye be not judged.” It’s not that simple. John 7:24 also says “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” We cannot judge someone’s heart (as Matthew 7:2 says) but we can for certain discern their actions whether they are right or wrong.

What’s Our Testimony?

Paul continues his chat with the Corinthians saying that their testimony preceded them.

[2] Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: [3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. [4] And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

The reason was given as to why they didn’t need letters of commendation, to or from the church at Corinth, because that church was their living epistle, and which was much preferable to any written one. Paul was proclaiming the word of God that had been burned into his heart by the Spirit of God. The same Spirit that dwells in all children of God. But, it’s the communication with the Spirit that makes the difference. It’s the understanding of Who it is that the Spirit is.

[5] Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; [6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. [7] But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: [8] How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

When the children of Israel saw Moses after he had physically been in the presence of God, (Exodus 34:29) the Shekinah glory was so bright that they couldn’t bear to look at him for fear of blindness. That’s how amazing God is. So Paul asked, “Is not the Spirit that is within us, the same God?” Yes it is!!! Should there not be evidence that He is within you coming to the outside of us? Would it not build confidence in us, the closer we got to God in conversation, and understanding of what it was He wants us to do. Would it not also humble you to be in the presence of His greatness.

If any of us had a true knowledge of how great the Spirit of God is within us. It would either scare us to death, or it would cause us to never want to leave communing with Him.

Paul understood the seriousness of the fact that he was speaking for God on earth. The words that the Holy Spirit gave to Paul are still being read two thousand plus years later. What about what we say? Will it have that kind of staying power? I doubt it. But the words we speak may have eternal ramifications.

When I was ministering in New Mexico a few years ago, I spoke at a church where, following the service, a man came up to me and prophesied something. For the record, it was a Baptist church, but this man was not Baptist. He had come to the service to hear me speak and sing. I felt very uncomfortable with the words he spoke. I don’t even remember what they were. But he spoke as though God had given him insight into my life and the direction I should go. That’s dangerous ground.

Just as I don’t know the intents of someone’s heart, nor do I know the intents of God’s heart for them. God does the calling, not man.

For certain it was a different era in Paul’s day. The church was new, and the members of it were willing to die, and many did, for the cause of Christ. It’s said of the church today that the members won’t even live for Christ, forget asking them to die.

To another group of believers Pauls words of wisdom were clear as to the expectations of the life of a Christian.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-28 KJV

19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

It would be arrogance on my part if I said I lived Paul’s words out every day in my life. And it would be a lie. Every Christian fails. The difference is, the attitude of the heart. Paul was not a perfect man either, but he was confident in what he knew to be the word of God.

Posted in Life Inspiration

A Word for the Weary

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on A Word for the Weary

This is a message to myself, but come along as I talk to God about my own life, and the weariness of my soul and body. My mind is already tired when I get up from the things I lie in bed and ponder. This world’s a mess!

What is it about 2024 that is so much different than 1996. That was the year of my salvation. To this day I have not lost my zeal for the word of God. Oh how it stirs my soul. But my zeal isn’t always translated to my time in the Word of God, which is a sad indictment against myself and a huge part of the problem with my weary, exhausted self. So you may wonder how the Word of God could physically and mentally encourage you? I assure you it does.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

It’s Quick!

The word “quick” means that the word of God is alive! It speaks in return to the person reading the words on the page. It has the power to lift a burdened soul from the pit of depression, frustration or heartache. I’ve suffered all three for several years. When I changed churches 14 months ago, I thought that would fix it. My spiritual needs were being satisfied, I was active again in the ministry, but the prior years of struggling spiritually had set a pathway that I walked every day that was hard to break free from. Perhaps you too can identify with the feeling that the world has taken over life to the point that your days seem to accomplish little more than tasks for getting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., rest a few hours, go to bed, repeat.

Lord… I am weary.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

I can quote the scripture. I know it’s true. Why hasn’t it helped? When I say the world has taken over my life, it’s not a metaphor. It feels as though the world has a to do list laid out for me from the time my feet hit the floor. I’m almost robotic in how I live life, and yet I get very little worthwhile things accomplished leaving me in that state of depression, despair and frustration. The only thing that changes my direction and thought process is the Word of God. But I am hit and miss to say the least.

It’s Sharp!

It’ll cut you! Slice your heart wide open and expose every evil thought within in it. But that’s not all it does. When I say it’s sharp, I also mean like a sharp dressed man. The word of God makes me feel like I’m sitting in the presence of the King!!! Oh yeah, I am! I’m awestruck by the depth of God’s wisdom that pours into my soul like an oil from my essential oil boxes and anoints my heart with this soothing balm that flows into the broken cracks and crevices created by the world.

So why am I still so broken?

Because I haven’t sit still long enough to allow the oil of gladness to seep into me.

Psalm 45:6-8 KJV
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. [7] Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. [8] All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

It’s ironic that God has given me so many gifts in my life both physically and spiritually. I know how to right this wrong that I have been suffering through. Satan cannot control the child of God. He has given us the power to overcome the world.

1 John 4:4 KJV
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

The issue isn’t with the word of God, it’s the fact that the word of God has not been center in my life. This word is how God speaks. Not the only way…. He speaks to my heart. He speaks when I pray. But when I read the word of God, it’s as if He and I had just sat down at the table with a cup of coffee and piece of cake and He poured into me something so very sweet that I left the cake on the table. And I love cake! That sweetness is a new to do list. He shut the world off and suddenly my vision and purpose was as clear as crystal. The oil of gladness filled the cracks and crevices created by the world and its to do list. The to do list that kept me away from the word of God.

This morning I’m still struggling. I’m still the Jesus Chick. The woman God called with a purpose to speak and share the Word of God with others. But I felt as though my betrayal of God’s word was an unpardonable sin. It wasn’t. But it separated me from Him and did not allow the oil of holiness to do what it does.

It’s Healing

Isaiah 61:2-3 KJV
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; [3] To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

There is an oil of gladness and an oil of joy. Joy comes regardless of circumstance. Happiness is often fleeting. But joy is that oil that not only flows into the broken and cracked surface but heals what’s broken… that’s what I felt this morning as I studied His word. I felt the oil of joy softening my heart. Restoring it and comforting me where the world’s sword had sliced me open and left me to die. Dramatic? No. That does not even begin to describe the depth of heart ache I’ve been experiencing.

Are you there too? If my words encouraged you, please encourage me in return by letting me know. This is where I need to be every day, all day, experiencing the oil of joy.

In His love and for His glory, your sister in Christ Jesus, Shari Johnson. The Jesus Chick.

Posted in Life Inspiration

But the tongue of the wise is health

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on But the tongue of the wise is health

In the land of social media the warriors are brave. There is no bloodshed, right? Everyone has the right to throw their opinion into the arena, whether or not it’s truth, lie, or unknown. We all know the adage we were told as children, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” And even though we also know that the adage was a lie (words do hurt) it was a different era in time. There was no social media, and most children were taught the proper behaviors and acceptable manner in treating people. There was always the bully, but they were never applauded by the majority, just a few weak followers who thought they were in the “in crowd” by being a friend of the bully and not the victim.

We’ve read the news stories of the worst end of a critical spirit. It’s the end of a life because the hope was criticized out of a heart until nothing was left but despair and a life was ended by suicide. Is it any wonder our kids don’t understand that bullying is wrong when adults have yet to figure it out?

Proverbs 12:18 KJV
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Solomon… such a wise man. (Except when it came to women, not so much on that side of his life). But the words from Proverbs 12:18 stirred my soul this morning as I became burdened for the critical spirit I witness daily throughout social media. Nobody uses constructive criticism, where you build something, but rather destructive criticism where they can tear people down with an end goal of making them feel less. Putting them in their place… a place that is beneath the one in charge of the criticism. They feel it’s their obligation to line this person out. Never thinking of the soul and the end result. The nights with tears on their pillow or the pain of a broken heart. God help this entitled nation. I wonder if the people down south, who have lost everything, care one iota about the opinions of any entitled neighbor. I’ll bet there’s not an entitled neighbor because that playing field was leveled by hurricane Helene that put everyone in that area in the same mess. Praise God for those who were spared, and pray for God’s mercy on those in the middle of that tragedy. It puts life in perspective quickly for those experiencing it. But those of us high on a hill, looking down on the souls of others from our safe haven continue to think our opinions matter.

  • Opinions can’t stop a storm.
  • Opinions can’t stop a disease.
  • Opinions can’t stop tragedy.

I am of the opinion that my opinion only matters when it’s got God’s stamp of approval on it. Solomon said our words either injure or heal. But God’s word is more powerful than a twoedged sword! If a soul reads it, and just takes it for what it is, leaving mans opinion out of it, the word of God will reveal everything we need to know about life.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

I shared a video on the Ridgeview News Facebook page of a friend preaching at a 1982 Foundation Event. The post got several positive responses. But one reader felt the necessity to post his negative opinion again and again. Another reader suggested I had an agenda. Well duh. I’ve never denied it and have tried to make it known that my agenda is to glorify God with the truth. Which includes the gospel truth. I do not deny the secular world their say, God gave everyone free will, so will I. But I am the one who spends many, many dollars to pay for the publishings of the Ridgeview News and The Jesus Chick sites. I do that so that I may share the gospel of Jesus Christ and share the truth about the goings on in my community. That’s my agenda. Truth.

And to tell you the truth, I’ve been struggling again. Frustrations have overwhelmed me, and some of those frustrations have come in the form of opinions. I watch as my mother ages at a rapid pace from dementia, and all that matters to her is her family. Who will stop by. Who can I tell her about so she can remember a happier time. She cares nothing about my opinion. We talk about Heaven and we talk about family. That’s it. I don’t share negative stories with her. What purpose would that serve.

And there is where I’ll land today. What purpose are our words serving?

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Great is the mystery, but sweet is the understanding 

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Great is the mystery, but sweet is the understanding 

I seen a meme this morning that used the gifts given to Jesus to make a “funny”, saying There’s gold, there’s frankensense… but wait, there’s myrrh!” You might have to be an essential oil fanatic like myself to think that’s even funny, but I thought it was hysterical! And it’s how I feel about opening the word of God. There’s treasures to be found, Sense to be made, and so much more!!!!

We can learn about God through our day to day experiences with him. When we seek to follow his commands, we learn new things about him and his values and why this world is so insane. It is through His word that learn we can rely on Him for everything in our lives, and then we discover that there is so much more to God than we ever imagined. 

I hesitate this morning to even write about Matthew, because it’s not like I would have one iota of understanding of him. He was a numbers guy, a tax collector. I’m not a numbers gal. I would imagine that Matthew was a very logical thinking guy. Everything had to add up! But when it comes to Jesus, there’s nothing logical about it, even though everything certainly aligns. 

Matthew 9:9-12 KJV

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. [10] And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. [11] And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? [12] But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

The Pharisees saw Matthew and his tax buddies setting with Jesus and they couldn’t understand the logic of hanging out with such a low class of people. They viewed those people as unworthy of their company. But Christ knew their lifestyle and viewed it as an opportunity to build His church. He then used a very simplistic analogy for the religious Pharisees to understand, that just as the sick need a doctor, the lost need a Savior. This was logic that Matthew and his friends understood, just as anyone of any other personality and ability can understand. It is instilled in the heart of man, that there’s more to life. Or myrrh, as the comedian said! 

So much more!

1 Timothy 3:16 KJV

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Great is the mystery, but sweet is the understanding. 

Timothy knew what Matthew had learned. Matthew through his first hand knowledge of being with Jesus in the flesh. And Timothy, through his first hand knowledge of being with Jesus in the Spirit. 

It wasn’t up for debate

Matthew and Timothy had both experienced Jesus! And so have I. When I first became saved in 1996, I couldn’t get enough of Jesus. I wanted to hang out with preachers and teachers everyday. I met with them for breakfast, I was in church at every opportunity, and not only my own church, but anyone else’s that was having a revival meeting. There was no question that Jesus was God and He was very real, because His presence was so obvious in my life. 

In those days when Jesus walked the earth, there were eye witnesses to Him, and the miracles that He performed. As far as Timothy was concerned there was no controversy. 

We live in a world of controversy. Someone is always wanting to argue about something, especially when it comes to faith or morality. But for Timothy, neither were up for debate because he knew Jesus and knew the teaching of Jesus because he stayed in his word and with his people. 

I know for a fact that if I’m struggling to deal with something in my life it’s almost always because I’m out of God’s word. Oh, I’ll still have struggles, but if I stay in God’s word He’ll help me makes sense of it all. 

Timothy preached a 5 point message in that one verse of 3:16

Justified in the Spirit

Upon salvation a child of God receives the Spirit of God within themselves for the constant guidance of the Lord Himself. It’s not up for debate. The Lord speaks everyday. But are we listening. 

Seen of Angels

I find it hysterical, not really funny, but ridiculous that the world loves the cute little cherubs or the beautifully ornate angels statues. But most people do not understand the purpose of these God created beings. They were created to glorify and praise God. They serve Him and He gave them spiritual abilities that could go far as killing 185,000 soldiers (2 Kings 18:35). Angels are indeed gloriously beautiful. They’re always mentioned as male in the Bible. Not female as they’re mostly imaged in todays society. 

Preached to the Gentiles

This was the hardest thing for those Pharisees to understand. Jesus loved sinners and thats how they viewed Gentiles. They didn’t deserve salvation. Tell me that’s not how we often look at the lowest and vilest of people in the world today. The rapist, murderer, child molesters… they don’t deserve Jesus, right? No, that is who Jesus came to save and you and I are in that group. Everyone is a sinner. There are no righteous people until they have accepted the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection and then His blood makes them righteous. 

Believed on in the World

Another 3:16 verse is John 3:16 that many unsaved can quote. 

John 3:16 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

That’s who Jesus came to save, the entire world. The very world that He created. That’s where people sometimes have a hard time understanding, why would God create a world that was lost? For the same reason that you and I have children. We love them and we want them to love us. Not forcibly, but just because we created them. There is no greater thing in life than the love reciprocated of your children. 

Received up into Glory

The last time Jesus was seen in person was when He ascended back to Heaven. Over 500 witnesses watched as He floated off to glory. Many were killed for professing it. Would they have been willing to die for a lie? No, I don’t think so. But it doesn’t matter who believes and who doesn’t in the grand scheme of life with regards to whether or not it happened. It did. And it’s going to happen again when Jesus returns for His church and takes them home to be with Him for eternity. 

But what about you? Will you bee received by Him, or will He leave you behind to deal with this earth when evil is released to it’s fullness? Please, make sure you’re saved. Tell your family about Jesus. Do you have questions, then message me! I’ll do my very best to answer you quickly. God bless ya!!! Love ya… mean it. 

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Faith

Don’t Get Wrapped Up in the World

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Don’t Get Wrapped Up in the World

I have met my fair share of people who are wrapped up in the notion, even if they say they believe in faith in Christ alone for salvation, that somehow what they’re doing is more important than why they’re doing it.

The graphic below is a very good way to explain salvation. I didn’t come up with the idea, but I love it! This is what our faith is in. The fact that Jesus was born of a virgin and came to earth, He lived for 32 years (ish) until He was crucified on the cross for claiming to be God. He was God and proved that when He arose from the dead and ascended back to Heaven. A fact witnessed by over 500 people. He’s coming back, that too is a fact. Believing that is salvation. There is nothing in between the images for you to believe or do in order for you to be saved. Just faith. Nothing more. But there’s plenty to do to keep you out of trouble.

Galatians 5:1-8,10 KJV
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

The vast majority of the world is in bondage. How do I know that? Because they’re not in church. And now is where those “not in church” tell me they don’t have to be in church to be saved. You’re right. But, I will stand eye to eye with you and tell you if you’re not in church, you’re probably so bound up in the world you can’t get there.

I witness it in my only family. I don’t cut them any slack either, because I want to know that when I die, or they die, we’ll see each other again! This is not a game, but the world is playing church like a game of checkers. And when they get to the other side of the board and say “King me.” The owner of the board is going to say, “depart from me I never knew you.”

Paul told the Galatians in chapter 5 that they were indeed free. But don’t use that freedom to get tangled up in this world. Families are so busy running to and fro to ballgames and other events, that there is no time for the Lord. Not on Sunday, nor Monday through Saturday. But yet they say they know Him. How? How can you know someone that you never talk to? How can you possibly know His will, when you don’t read His word, You don’t listen to His Word and you don’t act out His Word? Yes… faith is all that is required for salvation. But that’s not all that’s required for the evidence of salvation. If you truly understood what those images of salvation meant, that God, the Creator of the universe, placed His Son in the womb of a woman, who then walked the earth and proved in countless ways that He was God, only to be denied and then crucified by the people He came to save. The most gruesome of deaths imaginable where He hung on a cross with his skin ripping and tearing by the nails, beaten to the point He was unrecognizable and His skin looked like hamburger, and yet in that state He gave eternal life to a thief, and then He died. But as they say… but wait, that’s not all. He arose. He wasn’t in that tomb and the government lied. I know… we’re all shocked that the government would do that, right? And again His resurrection and ascension was witnessed by hundreds of people. People who later were willing to die rather than deny the truth. And when all is said and done, He’s coming back, and He’s going to call His church out of this wicked world. He did all that for you. But yet, you don’t feel the need to know Him.

I am not writing in a self righteous tone. I am so aware of my failures… I know that I have no righteousness in me were it not for the Holy Spirit. But I also know the freedom I have because of the Holy Spirit. The freedom not to allow this world to tear me down. Not to allow it to be burden on me to the point that I lose hope. I’ve been there! It’s why it breaks my heart to see family and friends are there.

My point of bringing this to our attention today, is in hopes that someone will read and be encouraged to begin a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. It doesn’t make your life perfect. But it does give you perfect peace and that is worth it all!!!

Even after last week when I lost my temper in a meeting and derailed on the Mayor, I had peace. Yes I was upset and aggravated. But when I got settled down and allowed the Holy Spirit to comfort my soul and bring spiritual logic into the situation I had such an abundance of joy. I knew that the demonic forces of this world had brought all that upon me, but that God had me covered and He would settle the issue. Not me. I could have just as well attempted to settle it on my own and continue the confrontation,

What has you bound up? Does it make an eternal difference and does it encourage you and your relationship with the One who created you with a purpose. You have a purpose in this world, but this world’s plan for you is to make you miserable. Don’t let it. Allow God to wrap you up in His Comforting Holy Spirit. It’s then that the world can’t touch you.

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

It’s Been a Rough Week – Let’s talk about anger

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on It’s Been a Rough Week – Let’s talk about anger

So I allowed a political figure to anger me to the point that my train derailed and I spilled my cargo. Do I have regrets. Truthfully, not so much. I regret that I allowed this man to almost cause me to have another heart attack because I wasn’t turning to the Holy Spirit within me. Unless of course that was the Holy Spirit wanting to ring this guys neck like I did. 🤣 I’m kidding… I know the Holy Spirit doesn’t want to ring someone’s neck. It really did however feel like something was trying to get out of my chest. I was that angry. What brought it on? He publicly was disrespecting my husband’s work ethic from his earlier employment. Oh, he also said unkind things my work, but that just went in one ear and out the other, because I can handle it when you trash me. But when you mess with my family, I come unglued.

So, what’s the Jesus Chick to do, when you’re that angry? Let’s go to the word of the Lord and see what His advice on the matter is.

Haven’t You Learned?

Isn’t that what we all tell our children when they make a mistake that we believe they should have known better? Have you learned nothing I taught you? God is no different. He is that same loving parent that guides and teaches us every day and then when we derail He asks, “Have you not learned?” Of course that is a rhetorical question, He knows we know and that we chose to not listen.

Ephesians 4:20-32 KJV
But ye have not so learned Christ; [21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The truth is in Jesus. Not this world that we’re living in. This man successfully provoked me to anger, which I believe was his ultimate goal. I can’t blame Jesus for me coming unglued. If I had been acting like Jesus, I would have waited until after the meeting, and I had calmed down, and then addressed the situation. But the flesh in me wanted the public to know that this jerk had just gotten on my last nerve and I needed to call his sins out. And so I did. This man had been my husband former boss. He had played on my husband’s good heart and compassion, and convinced my husband that he should do the government a favor and work seven days a week, 10-12 hours a day on salary. I reminded him that he had illegally taken advantage of my husband and another employee by causing them to work in such a manner, which is illegal. So my question is… did I cross a line I shouldn’t have as a child of God?

Be ye angry, and sin not

[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. [26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: [27] Neither give place to the devil.

So, we’re allowed to be angry. That’s human nature, but then Christ says “and sin not.” I cannot say that the sun didn’t go down with me still being angry. My heart had stopped thumping out of my chest by the time I laid down. My smart watch was no longer screaming at me to say my heart rate was too high, but I still felt angry toward the politician. It wasn’t until today, two days later that I began to rationalize my thoughts and deal with the issue within. The devil has had a place at my table for two days. That’s not cool.

[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. [29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. [30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. [31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Verse 29 reminds us that anything that comes out of our mouth should edify the hearer, and allow them to experience grace. My go to verse for righteous rage and holy hostility is when Jesus upset the tables in the temple in John 2:15-19
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; [16] And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. [17] And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. [18] Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? [19] Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

This of course is a totally different scenario. These men that Jesus made a whip and drove from His Father’s house were making profit on the sacrifices of God. That makes my stomach roll over. It no doubt did Jesus’ as well, because He threw them out!

Those men were taking advantage of God’s people and disrespecting God. Jesus’ Father. When during the meeting I was in this week, a government leader used his position to provoke anger and manipulate people, he was successful. He provoked me to anger. I didn’t turn over any tables or get a whip and drive him out, but I wanted to.

Government is a God ordained position. That’s not to say all those in office are in those positions by God’s design. But He allowed it. But as children of God, we are to care for our families, and the body of Christ. And when we see abuse, disrespect, and dishonor, I believe God understands the anger that wells up inside of us. I’m not saying God approved me coming unglued. But He understood that the disrespect a government official was showing toward the people was unwarranted and evil.

So what’s the answer to the question… “Was my behavior justified?” For me the answer came when I felt no regret. I usually feel regret pretty quickly for stupid behavior. But I think there comes a time when a person crosses the line and God says, “Child of God, Give them the truth.” He didn’t tell me to call the politician names. And I didn’t (at least in the open meeting). But I believe that when I got angry, God approved – – because this person, who is in a position of accountability, was arrogant, unkind and believed his position warranted him the right to hurt people without remorse.

God doesn’t tell His children to lay down and be walked on. He tells them to show Grace and kindness, but he also expects sin to be dealt with. We forgive the sinner… we don’t excuse or permit the sin.

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Faith, Family, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Searching for Substance in a Silly Society

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Searching for Substance in a Silly Society

I am eternally grateful to be in a church that when I leave the building on Sundays and Wednesdays, I feel as if I have just been fed the most marvelous of meals with an exquisite desert. Those metaphors are of course standing for the Word of God and Spirit in the service. My heart continues to be burdened for a world that finds no need to be in a church with the body of Christ.

Paul warned the Church of Colosse, when they were worshipping angels rather than God:

Colossians 2:18-19 KJV
[18]Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [19] And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Beguiling, deception, is what happens when one is not being taught the word of God or being taught incorrectly. Verse 19 refers to the Head, with the H capitalized, meaning God, from who we receive the nourishment required for the sustainability of the body. Someone, a false teacher, had the people of Colosse worshiping those which God created for the purpose of serving and worshipping Him.

In the book of Revelation, when John fell at the feet of an angel, the humble creature told him asolutely not! Revelation 22:8-9 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. [9] Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

The point of that being, they were listening to false teaching, and so are many others, because they’re not reading and studying the Word of God for themselves, and attending a church where a Pastor can keep you in line. Of course you can sit at home in your comfy chair, sipping coffee while you listen to your internet preacher, but as it says in Hebrews 10:25, you’re absent from the body of Christ.

Funny thing about scripture, it is so often given and received out of context. I was just about guilty in the writing of this post. Hebrews 10:25 is one my favorite verses. But I failed to realize that it’s the latter part of a sentence that started in verse 23.

Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Those three verses are packed with good stuff!

Hold Fast my Friends!

Paul told the Hebrews to hold on to the profession of their faith. To the sound doctrines for which they’d been taught. It won’t take long when being out in the world to be influenced by multiple forces. That causes wavering and confusion in the mind like that of those worshiping the angels. God did not intend church folks to be without a body of believers and a Pastor. In the days of Paul that of course wasn’t a church house but usually it was in the homes of other believers where they gathered for house church. But they gathered. They knew that there was a need to hold on to not only the profession of their faith, but to hold on to their faith filled friends for encouragement. Get in the right church and hold on!

Provoke the People

Provoked is most often used as a term of negativity. But you can provoke good as well as evil! Paul told the Hebrews to provoke unto love and to good works. I have to tell you, when someone in the church starts a project, I’m not always a willing participant. I have a dozen other things going that I feel needs my attention. But a friend in the faith will say, “Hey Shari, I need your help.” And it’s then that I am provoked to help, because I love them and I want to do a good work. It’s always a blessing! My life is far richer and I know that I have been doing the will of God. But if it wasn’t for that friend in the faith, I’d have missed the blessing. Good Christian friends provoke us to do more for the Kingdom of God.

Can you see that the words leading into Hebrews 10:25 direct our paths, and keep us going in the direction we should go?

Always Assemble!

Wednesdays and Sundays are happy, happy days in my life. My mind begins to think on the upcoming Bible studies, the fellowship with other believers, the lifting up of people in prayer. The wonderful influence of my church family encourages me the other five days of the week! Is my church perfect? Of course not, or they wouldn’t let me in the doors. But the five days I’m out of church takes its toll on me. I can read the word of God, pray and encourage myself with good gospel music, but I need the fellowship of other believers and I most especially need the leading and teaching of the man of God. It’s not that God doesn’t speak to me, He does. But He speaks to the man of God in an amazing way, that one message can hit everyone who hears it, in a different way. It will encourage one, convict another, stir another over something they’ve been struggling with. It’s filled with the substance that we need in our lives to keep us on the right path.

I watch family and friends who are being beat down by this world struggle. And I don’t mean they’re having a little anxiety. I mean their mind is filled with frustration, anger, chaos and worse. And my thought is this, if only you had filled your tank this week, you’d not have run out of gas. The world will fill you up, but it’s got all kinds of bad byproducts in it. Junk that God never intended to be in your life. I used the word silly in the headline of today’s post. But there is nothing funny about how this world tears you apart. It’s why I stay in church… it’s the glue that puts me back together.

Love you all. Praying my words encourage you today!

Posted in Christian, Eternity, Faith, Grace, Leadership, Prayer, salvation

Prejudice, Persecution, and Profession of Christ

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Prejudice, Persecution, and Profession of Christ

As a child growing up in the hills of Braxton County, West Virginia in a little community called Duck, I did not experience bigotry. I had one uncle who used the “n” word as well as other colorful words, but he was the only one I remember. The rest of my immediate family didn’t use profanity, nor did they ever say prejudiced statements against any other race or nationality of people. In our community I don’t ever remember seeing anyone of another color. Growing up in Calhoun County, West Virginia there was one family of black people and I have no doubt they likely lived a life with prejudice. Although I didn’t see them experiencing it and was friends with a boy named Tommy in my class who was an amazing artist. My point of that lead in isn’t really to speak about black prejudice but rather to help you understand I have no concept of being prejudice because of how I was raised.

As an adult I have certainly witnessed prejudices of many kinds. All of which make me sick. But the growing antisemitism in our Nation is something that I cannot understand. From a biblical standpoint I will never comprehend the depth of wickedness in a person who condones the slaughter of a nationality of people as is happening in Israel by Hamas. How on earth have we as a nation allowed this to be our leadership. And how have Christians turned a blind eye to it happening, knowing (if they do) what scripture says about Israel. I’m in full belief that many in America have no idea what scripture says at all from their own reading.

The Apostle Paul knew about prejudice from the inside out. As a card carrying Jewish leader who knew the scripture backwards and forwards, he had been taught the persecution that Israel had been through. Abuse, slavery, the slaughter of their children. And yet, this didn’t stop them from killing Christians because they preached Jesus and converted Jews to Christianity. When Jeremiah in 17:9 said “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” He didn’t sugar coat it. But the wonderful part of that verse is the verse that follows which proclaims [10]” I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Yes, that means there will be a judgement day. But God knew the heart of the Apostle Paul and turned him from being a Jew with an evil heart toward Christians, to being a Christian of great and amazing wisdom and compassion. That gives us hope for anyone that is lost.

Apostle Paul in Romans 11 speaks of the grafting in of the Gentiles (that’s us) into the family of God. Which makes anyone who claims Christianity but has an antisemitic viewpoint, an idiot.

The Nation of Israel has experienced antisemitism from

Romans 11:13-28 KJV
[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Emulation is imitation. Paul is hoping that through his preaching and his life that others will imitate his decision and become saved. They knew he was a Jew who wished them dead, but now he is their leader and wants nothing for them, but to see them saved. This argument is showing that as the Gentiles received present advantage through the rejection of the Jews, they would receive far greater at their future recovery, and which proves that their rejection is not final. Israel will have their day again. But in the current age we’re in, we’ve been given the privilege of having God within us. And if God is within us, I can guarantee you’re not saved if you hate Israel. Jesus was a Jew for cyrin’ out loud. How can they justify that? They cannot.

One of my favorite images in my spiritual mind is that of the grafting of the trees that Paul explains in this chapter.

[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? [16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. [17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; [18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. [19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. [20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: [21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Israel (as a nation not individuals) has failed to accept Christ as the Messiah. Because of their unbelief the original family tree was broken. God grafted the gentiles who did believe into their spot on the tree and made us apart of the family of God. Glory and Hallelujah that makes my heart so happy that I am a child of God because of His great mercy!

Please pray for Israel today. Pray for the United States that Christians will stand in the gap for Israel with the understanding Jesus is going to return and when He does, it will be a new day in Dodge and day of terror for the unbelievers. Pray for our children and our families to be saved before it’s too late.