Posted in Life Inspiration

What a Verse!

Written by talk2shari Published October 15, 2014October 15, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2… What a verse!

I was looking for something to reign my mind in today. Yesterday was scattered, today began much the same. Technology glitches, a “to do” list a mile long, a desire to be a better child of God, wife, mother, servant… and my mind was reeling. The days seem shorter and shorter, I know there’s still 24 hours in them, but deed I don’t know where it goes. I’ve set in my heart to be a better steward of time, money, resources, etc…. Ha! Well you know who that torqued off. And he and I both know it’s no small feat; discouragement should be no problem. And it wasn’t. A few minor snafus and I went to bed with a headache and awoke with one. So I knew that I needed to gather my thoughts and refocus them on the Lord. Thus… Hebrews 12:2

What a verse! I know I said that but just think about the goodness packed in there. Let’s unpack it…

He Started it – He’s the Author of my soul

Looking unto Jesus the author

Wow! Before I was in the womb He knew me. That in itself can cause me to ponder for hours on what I was doing before I was born. Jeremiah 1:5 says – Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. He wrote my story and nothing that happens in my day catches Him off guard or happens without His approval and for His glory. That’s good to know!

He Finished it – He has the final Word

finisher of our faith

When Christ said those words on the cross “It is finished” in John 19:30, what exactly was “it”? It was the ceremonial law that was finished. No more would man be accountable for his own salvation and Hallelujah, Glory to God for that! Man couldn’t keep the 10 laws from the days of Moses, how on earth were we going to keep the 613 man had added with it. It was now by faith alone that man could have access to the throne.

He Paid it – and was happy to!

Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

For the joy!!! He paid the price on the cross that we can’t even imagine to restore man’s relationship with God… and yet man treats God like a nosey neighbor interfering in their life. It’s hard to imagine why He tolerates us at all.

He Protects it

…and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

That plan that He began, He oversees every second of it. That good to know. That means when I get my sights off Him, His is never off of me.

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

Dear Mr., Miss or Mrs. Weary… read on

Written by talk2shari Published October 7, 2014October 10, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

I know I’m not alone when I say that I have days when I’m weary. Those times when I look around and feel somewhat like Elijah who though he was the last one left when Jezebel sought to kill him and the Lord had to remind him that he was not alone. I know I’m not alone, I know that there are countless servants of God out there on the battlefield with me, but Satan loves to get you feeling weary so he makes you believe you’re outnumbered.

Two places in the Bible we find the phrase “weary in well doing,” both written by Paul, someone who assuredly had moments that he could have been weary. I found it interesting that both forms of weariness were tied to other people.

Don’t grow weary of the weak

I can handle an unsaved sinner’s bad behavior, but I run the risk of growing weary at a child of God who uses the excuse “Well it’s just how I am” for obnoxious and rude behavior or blatant sins against God. But Paul encourage the believers to take care of one another, encourage those who are serving in the faith, and leave all others to God; because we all reap what we sow, good or bad. So I’m here to encourage you today! March on soldier, we have work to do!

Galatians 6

⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

¹⁰As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Don’t Grow Weary of the Wicked

Watching the news is enough to make you want to tuck your head under a covers and yell “even so Lord Jesus come!” But couple that with attacks and persecution on the local level and the days are rough. We’re living in a time that our grandparents could never even fathom; a time when men (and women) embrace wickedness and shun the gospel. A time when people defend a religion of hate and hate a religion of defenders, it’s insanity is it not? But Paul said don’t grow weary.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

¹³But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

In reading the text that leads up to verse 13 Paul encourage the believers that he has confidence in them that they’ll continue on even in the face of wicked men that do not have faith. What a supporter Paul was even in the days that he himself needed encouragement to continue. Paul tells them to draw away from “that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” There’s a time that you need to get away from the naysayers and the blasphemers and those who tear down our God and us.

I hope that today you’ll get your Bible and get alone with the Word of God and let Him speak great peace to your soul.

Perhaps this is your only time today and you chose to spend it with me. I’m honored and humbled. I pray that I encouraged you to keep on keepin’ on and that you’ll encourage me back by a comment or by sharing this blog with your friends.

Weary not my friends… I’m with ya!

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Posted in Grace, Life Inspiration, salvation

7 Things About Getting to Heaven

Written by talk2shari Published October 5, 2014October 5, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

I love God’s Word. Old Testament or New Testament, it matters not to me because there are such awesome truths lying on the pages just waiting to jump out at you like family at a surprise party! It’s fun when God reveals His plan a gain. It’s the story that never gets old, the one about going to Heaven, the one I long to talk about from the other side. This morning in Isaiah as I read His word there was that wonderful promise again!

Isaiah 55

Its Free

55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

It is for certain that the Old Testament conceals what the New Testament reveals. Isaiah (whose name means “The Lord Saves”) began his ministry around 740 BC long before Jesus came into the picture. Yet the promise is there in his words about the final sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. Jesus Christ, God’s only Son was the only payment worthy of our entrance into an eternity. A Holy God could accept nothing but a Holy Sacrifice, so His own sinless Son became the payment for us to enter Heaven. There’s only one catch and it’s pretty simple, accept it. He built you the finest mansion and prepared you a banquet of delicacies unimaginable and ask only that you confess that He paid for it with His life.

It Fulfills

55:2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Even after salvation, when we find the one thing that satisfies our every longing we still try to buy happiness or expect to find it in someone. Though we need a roof over our head, clothes on our backs and water food in our bellies to survive, all else is optional. Jesus said in Matthew 6:30-34~

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

It’s Forever

55:3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Forever is hard for us to imagine when the earth is so temporal, and promises are so easily broken. But not so in Heaven… God’s covenant (promise) is evident in His word, as your read prophecy after prophecy that has been fulfilled. The more you read, the more you understand and look forward to the forever that is filled with the goodness of God.

Follow Jesus

55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

Jesus wasn’t on earth in the Old Testament and He’s not on earth now, but He has always been present in the lives of His people and the plan little by little was disclosed until the revealing of it when Christ came in the form of a man. He walked among them, they witnessed His miracles, they seen His death and were there for the resurrection. Hundreds of people witnessed it and we’re still witnessing His work today in the lives of people who set the example we’re to follow.

I’m Family

55:5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

The Jewish Nation is and always will be God’s chosen people, but those He knew not as His own (that’s us!) the gentiles, He has accepted into His family. How awesome is that!

I’m Found!

55:6Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

I was lost, yet the Bible says that He may be found. I think we’re given opportunity after opportunity to accept God’s Son as our Savior, but this verse is a warning that you can continue to get farther and farther away by rejecting Him until He can’t be found. I’m so glad that in 1996 I accepted His salvation and that His mercy was extended another day.

I’m Forgiven

55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

There’s nothing quite like the squeaky clean feeling you get when the sins of the past are lifted from your shoulders. Every mistake you’ve ever made, every regret… gone! Life’s still not perfect, but knowing that forever my mistakes are covered by the blood of Jesus that He shed on Calvary so that I might have eternal life with Him it a “Wow!” feeling every day. It’s unimaginable what God has in store for His children.

I heard once that “We live far beneath our means.” And while that’s likely true, I think there must be a humility that comes into our minds when we understand just how unworthy we are to be called a child of God. The Creator of all. That’s why verse 55:8 really sums it up.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

Posted in Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Get a Grip! God’s got this

Written by talk2shari Published October 2, 2014October 2, 2014 Discussion 1 Comment

It likely will not be a shocker to anyone who knows me to hear me say that I’m not a sports fan. Sports has its place in life and God Bless those who enjoy it, but for me personally competitive games usually leave a bad taste in my mouth from the over zealous fans who take it a little too seriously. They watch a game like I watch a church service. I’m shouting hallelujah and encouraging God’s man to get in their and give it his all for Jesus. There’s nothing wrong with encouraging the home team, just don’t be ugly about it and mean to the fans on the other team, after all we’re all playing football, right? Yes… there was a hidden agenda in that analogy. But that’s not my point in this blog; no shocker there either!

I was listening to someone talk about watching a game that had already been played and that the score was announced prior to the games airing. It changed his viewpoint of the game; when a guy dropped the ball or fumbled a play, there was no surprise. No fear of what the end result would be. He didn’t scream at the players to do better, he didn’t get upset when things went awry, the game was already over. I have to wonder how life would change if we viewed it from a game over prospective?

Genesis 22

1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

²And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

³And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

⁴Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

I have to believe that when Abraham “saw the place afar off” that he had that game over prospective. He didn’t know how the game was going to play out, but he knew the score. God, Abraham and Isaac 1, Satan 0.

I have a feeling Satan messed with Abraham’s head all the way up that mountain. I figure Abraham did some serious praying and contemplating about the event to come. He had to have wondered what Sarah’s reaction would be to the story. He was the man of the house, he was the man of God, but I don’t figure Sarah would have been laughing about this message from Heaven as she did the day God told them of the coming birth of their son. Abraham may have even had one of those “What happens on the mountain stays on the mountain” conversations with Isaac. Just as Jehovah-Jireh was on the mountain, having provided a ram, God’s got our sacrifice in the bush too. It’s no coincidence that it was the third day that Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off. Those three days that Christ spent in the grave, having took the keys of Hell from Satan was our game over experience.

What ever it is that Satan has planned to thwart the grand plan of God is a moot point. There may be a few fumbles on the play (on our side of course) but it won’t change the ending score. How awesome is that thought today? I don’t know about how it is for you but it brings great jubilation to my soul to know that no matter how the game looks in play… we win.

Yes I drop the ball, I go the wrong direction I have occasionally been the other team’s best player, but God is my number one fan. He loves me, He created me and He’s got me covered!

Posted in Christian Service, Grace, Life Inspiration

Another Lesson in Faith: Reset

Written by talk2shari Published October 1, 2014October 10, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Faith. I say I have it, I truly try to live it, but it’s not evident unless it’s tried; and tried it is again and again. I try not to whine for my trying of the faith really is piddly by comparison to so many others I know. My trials of faith are for the most part about provision and my stress level is about a 3. I often wonder if my stress level is so low because I don’t have sense to know how much trouble I’m in. Insert grin here. I know that’s not the case. My God is Jehovah Jireh; my Provider! Its an awesome thing to know God as a personal friend and have that continual abiding presence in your life. I write bold but my heart is humble.

Three things about faith that keeps my stress level down:

1. Faith in God Alone

1 Timothy 1:4-6

⁴Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Godly edification comes from reading and studying the Bible, going to church and Christian fellowship. Those are the things that fuel faith in God alone. We were certainly meant to have relationship with people, but its those very relationships that can get our eyes off God’s design and onto the world agenda. There has got to be a stable force in ones life that you can hit the reset button and come back to that place where security lies and that is our relationship with God alone. Where you tune out the world and their agenda and get into the solace of the Savior and stop trying to control your own life. Let Him lead.

2. Faith unfeigned is untainted

⁵Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

A pure heart in this world is hard to come by. We’re bombarded with the vulgarity of media that draws our minds in directions God never intended and each time it occurs it draws us further away from God and that security is now a broken trust in people and God because we’ve allowed our minds to view things in good conscience we shouldn’t have. Faith is hard to maintain when our focus is off of God’s design for us which is to serve. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another, John 13:35. By serving people in the relationships that God has entrusted us with our minds are refocused on Him and our soul revitalized. The world would have you believe that satisfaction comes in serving and appeasing self, when the truth is charity with a pure heart thrives on serving others.

3. Faith Janglers are everywhere, even in the church.

⁶From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

The importance of knowing and studying the word of God cannot be stressed enough to me. I need to hear it everyday, else I take the lazy way out and trust men (and women) to fuel my faith. The number of people who call themselves Christians and yet never feel compelled to study the Word and attend church is staggering. And what happens is that the world fills their heads full of “vain jangling” (nonsense) and when trouble comes they don’t even know where the reset button is located. They trust in man’s ideals to get them through.

This is a new day for me, full of the unknown. Today I began unemployment again. It’s a good thing I work for God, His grant funding is called grace and He has an unlimited supply.

Reset! Ahhhh, there You are God…

Posted in Grace, Life Inspiration

Just Shy of Hai

Written by talk2shari Published September 19, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Every day our lives hinge on what transpires in the course of that day. One phone call could drastically change the order of our lives, one conversation, or one decision could have us hastening to the throne room asking God to intercede. The daily news and social media are filled with those stories. And seldom ever is it that there is a single person involved. The circumstance may revolve around that one person, but there’s usually a long list of people in tow, friends and family that are affected vicariously.

We Don’t Travel Alone

When Abraham received his marching orders from God that decision not only affected his own life but his wife, nephew, servants, etc. on the relocation of their family. No doubt there were some midnight conversations of debate, wonder, excitement, perhaps even an argument or two, but praise God for the faithfulness of the man of God who lead on and make decisions based upon God’s wisdom, not his own.

Genesis 12:5-10 KJV
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord , who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord , and called upon the name of The Lord. And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. And there was a famine in the land: …

The word “Bethel” means “house of God.” And the word “Hai” means “heap of ruins.” So Abram was between Bethel and Hai. Just to the west was the “house of God,” and just to the east was the “heap of ruins.” Sound like any decision making you’ve experienced? I often find myself just west of Hai. I fly by the seat of my pants, make decisions on a whim, leap and the net will appear attitude and all the while my wonderful Lord waits for me to come crawling back west.

Praise God for the scripture that reminds me that our Heavenly Father has forgiveness as far as the west.
Psalm103:12-13
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Glory!

Abram’s decision was of God, he was right in leaving. But we’re not always in that position, are we? Our people don’t always make decisions with our best interest at heart. We don’t always make decisions with our peeps best interest at heart; we’re closer to Hai than Bethel on a pretty regular basis.

So what then? Even Abram in his obedience journeyed to a land of famine. Do you think he got the eye brow from little miss attitude Sarai… probably. It is this time that there is nothing left to do but trust. Whether you are the one who transgressed or the victim of the transgressor… hit the altar and trust.

This message was brought to you just shy of Hai…

Posted in Life Inspiration

This is a Test of the Emergency Faith System

Written by talk2shari Published September 12, 2014October 10, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

1 Peter 4:12

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trialwhich is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

I’m not sure they even do it any more, with no more television than I watch I very well could have missed it. But if you’re of any age at all you remember the feeling when that high pitched sound would come on along with the colorful test patch during your favorite show and it was the longest 60 seconds of your life. You’d be just on the edge of throwing a fit and it would end. Well…I’ve been just on the edge of throwing a fit lately as God’s allowed me to go through my own little test patch.

As a kid I felt as though that emergency broadcast test was put there just to annoy me. What possible purpose could a high pitch noise and a rainbow serve?

It’s time for peace….

Tests and trials of faith generally spring forth without warning and can be on a number of levels depending upon what the Lord allows. Mine seems to be more on the dull ache side, not the extreme. The extreme would be what a family in our community is now facing; the loss of a husband, dad, and granddad to a tragic tractor accident yesterday, that’s the ultimate test. Please pray for them in the upcoming days, I’m sure they could use it. The point of the matter is we’ve all had those times when the sirens have alarmed and we’re warned that we’re under attack. The Holy Spirit speaks sweet peace to the soul when those siren’s sound; but the Spirit is quiet… you have to slow down and listen. Satan will scream louder and louder, sit quieter and quieter. Get in your closet and prayer, get in your Bible and read.

It’s time to prepare, not panic…

Satan loves it when he can get you panicking over something. Because it’s a fact if you’re running around in solo survival mode you’ve got your eyes off Jesus. We need to stand behind God, not in front of Him flailing our arms, God already knows what you need By making a spectacle of yourself you’ve just alerted the enemy and anyone else that you’re not trusting God.

It’s time to remember the promise…

That rainbow patch can certainly serve as the reminder that God gave to Noah at the end of the flood. He placed the bow in the sky as symbol, a covenant of Grace… although I have to wonder if sometimes He’d not like to tie a knot in that bow and scratch the idea of preservation. But unlike man God’s Word is faithful and true. Regardless of the circumstances around us, the people who let us down, the chain of events that befall us… God’s patch of protection covers us all.

Short and sweet blog today… just needed to reassure myself that God has me covered.

Posted in Life Inspiration, Political

It’s frustrating living in Egypt!

Written by talk2shari Published August 29, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Egypt typifies the world in scripture, and wasn’t a place where you went to find God. He worked through it, though it wasn’t His choice and it wasn’t a pleasant experience for His children at the time. There were stories of captivity, worldly lusts and ungodliness. Sounds a whole lot like America today. Read on and I promise the story will get better!

As I read in Isaiah 19 this morning I kept thinking… “surely it will get better Lord, surely it will get better.” I’m so tired of American politics and heretics and every other blood sucking tick in America. The ones that don’t want to hear anything about Jesus Christ, that think the Word of God is of no effect and they are not bound by it’s prophecies. Mock if they will, I’m a believer!

The Burden in Egypt

Isaiah19:1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it

To most of the people who lived in Egypt it didn’t seem like a burden; fancy chariots and homes, the finest of foods and their little statues of worship made them believe that they were in control of their destiny. That’s how it works in America too. Our blessings have become our burdens. We work to keep them until they end up owning us.

The Battles in Egypt

2-4 . And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts.

We can see those battles every evening on the news; families fighting, neighbor again neighbor, and people struggling to protect their own while their hearts fail them. The very thing they loved and thought would bring happiness brings heartache as it’s never enough. Marriages fail and families fall apart because the “things” they had didn’t make them happy it made the desirous for more and better things, and when that wasn’t attainable they sought happiness through the illusion of alcohol and drugs and the lords over life controls every breath they take. Egypt and America have way too many similarities for comfort. So what about

The Believers in Egypt

As I kept reading in chapter 19 I kept thinking, Lord what about us? We were born in Egypt but it’s not our home. We’ve claimed citizenship in a new Country; Egypt’s ideals are not our own but it is You that we know Who satisfies the soul. Our leaders are idiots… where is our purpose in this?

¹²Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the Lord of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.

Deliverance from Egypt

God didn’t have purpose in Egypt, He purposed upon it. We’re to rise above what they say is right.

¹⁹In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord.

²⁰And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.

By our geographical location we may be set for serious times. We’ve allowed political factions to govern our lives in a way that should have never been. The enemy every day threatens to invade our borders but I’m still a believer, and will hold out until Jesus returns that a Nation who hangs on to God, hangs on to hope. And if on the border of our Nation, there’s a pillar set that says there’s a remnant of believers that stand on the Word of God and Christ our Lord within that border, then I’m a believer that God can come upon America again and there can be purpose found in the chaos we call government.

Stand on friends…

Posted in Life Inspiration, salvation

Eternal Security: Praise God He Has the key

Written by talk2shari Published August 21, 2014August 21, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

There is much debate of eternal security, and while I’ll not debate it with you, I’m persuaded to share it with you today. Turn me off if you will, it’s okay, we’ll talk to God about it later. I was reminded last night that salvation is in the heart of the believer not in the mind of the conceiver. It doesn’t matter whether or not I think you’re saved, it matters whether or not you are, and that, my friend, is between you and Almighty God.

I only know what I know… Satan is a liar and a loser! If he tells me once a day, he tells me twenty that I’m lost. He’ll discourage me at every turn because I fall to the flesh and am not what I should be, so how is it that I know that I’m so certain I have an eternal home in Glory? Because as Paul wrote to my Brother in Christ Timothy in his letter:

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

It would be a sad reality if I were in charge of my destiny, I can’t even keep track of my car keys! I know that I’m a child of God because He bears witness to my soul, speaking great peace in the hour of struggle, bringing His word into my mind as if it’s on a flip chart in my head… “This is what you need today, Shari….” And it always is! We walk and talk just as sure I do with co-workers and friends, He’s very real. So how do I justify in my head that a blatant sinner is saved?

It’s tough. I’ll not lie in that regards. My only solace is that I know what I did to get saved… I accepted what Christ did so that I could be saved. That’s it. I did nothing, He did it all. I know I’ve sinned since that day of salvation and yet He still loves me. Yes I’m repentant, but I’m still a sinner saved grace though I have no desire to go back into the life style for which He saved me out of. So why do other’s choose to? Because Satan’s good at his job.

Did they really get saved? I don’t want to give a lost soul an easy out by believing the lie that you can say a few magic words and all is right with God. It truly does take a repentant heart; one that has discovered they’re a wretched sinner in need of salvation that only Christ can provide. It takes believing in sincerity that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, that He rose again the third day and is now in Heaven, making intercession on our behalf with God the Father. I don’t claim to know it all, but I know that and that’s all that matters. Creation itself testifies of God the Creator, but knowing that God created the earth, and accepting what He did on the cross is two different things. Creation is beautiful, and while the end result of salvation is beautiful the price our Lord paid was ugly and not to be taken lightly.

So can a man (or woman) that’s lived the last ten years of their life as a drunkard go to Heaven? Did they at some point in their life in all earnestness, even as a child, believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ… if so, then yes? How they got to the drunkard stage knowing what the Lord did for them, I don’t know. But I know this, scripture doesn’t lie…

EVERLASTING LIFE DOESN’T END

John 5:24 (KJV)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

ETERNAL LIFE DOESN’T END

John 10:28 (KJV)

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

EVERLASTING LASTS FOREVER

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.

NOT OF YOURSELF – GRACE ALONE

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

IN NO WISE CAST OUT – NO, NOT EVER!

John 6:37

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

That my friend is just a few of the verses from the divine, inerrant Word of God that proclaims it is God Who takes man to Heaven, and not we ourselves. If He was great enough to save us, He’s certainly great enough to keep us.

Creation not only testifies of the greatness and vastness of God, for which our finite minds cannot possibly comprehend, but more importantly His Holy Spirit testifies within us that we belong to Him.

You must ask that question of yourself. Do you remember the time He saved your soul? Was there a definite change in your life at that time? If you’ve back slidden, turn around; if you’re unsure turn to Him, but make sure that you know that you know!

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration, Life's Failures

Trust Issues

Written by talk2shari Published August 19, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

T.R.U.S.T. – Total Reliance on Something Tested

I use my cell phone as an alarm clock, and as it goes off in the wee hours of the morning there are usually message popping up on the screen as well, it’s certainly not uncommon. But an encourager in the faith who occasionally and very randomly messages me awoke me this morning with that acronym, a word of encouragement and scripture from Psalm 44. He didn’t know that I needed it. Only those very close to me knows that I’m facing another time of uncertainty in my life. And Satan, who has been trying very hard to discourage me, has been thwarted at every turn by the Lord. I’m so humbled, because my weak faith certainly doesn’t deserve it.

Over the past few days I’ve been meeting my past. Memories, people, things… and as I walked across the campus of Glenville State College I happen to run upon a previous boss, that I loved, and in my frustration I ask “God why is this happening? Why now, when I need encouragement, am I meeting past failures?” And as sure as my name is Shari, He spoke to my heart and said those weren’t failures, those were provisions. Those were times when you had nothing and I gave you great things. Why do you always depend on yourself?” So I reflected again on the people and the places of my life… and sure enough there it was as He had said. Provision, and not of my own.

Psalm 44

His Work

1-8 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

²How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

His Weapons

³For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

⁴Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

⁵Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

⁶For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

His Worship

⁷But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

⁸In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

His Word

In the scripture, and through the message of another child of God he encourages me to praise Him today, for He alone is faithful. My secular job ends September 30^th. In these very uncertain times not having a job can be an issue. I’ve been here before, several times… And each time God did a miraculous work! I’ve been here since the day I told God “no” to full time ministry in 2010. Do you think that’s a coincidence? Me neither.

For those who do not know the story, I did not tell God “no” in disrespectful rebellion (though it was rebellion.) I told Him “no” because I really couldn’t see the “how.” After jobs kept “mysteriously” ending I stopped asking “how” and began asking “when?” I’m still waiting for that answer… rebellion comes with a price.