forgiveness – Page 4 – The Jesus Chick

Posted in Life Inspiration

I’m heading to Prison!

Written by talk2shari Published July 28, 2014July 28, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

I don’t really have a bucket list per say, but there are certain things I have in mind to accomplish, and one very strange thing that I desired to do was to minister in a prison. I know… I’m weird that way. But from my days of working in Magistrate court I’ve had a much higher tolerance for criminals than for some of the people supposedly working for their good. The arrogance on the part of those out of chains who treated criminals with disdain would grind my nerves bare. How could we ever hope for their correction and redemption when they were given no encouragement to change? Disrespect breeds disrespect. My burden for them likely has more to do with the fact that it was during this time of my life that I was saved; so I understood redemption. I understood that I was every bit as unworthy as the man or woman arrested and brought before our courts, the only difference was Christ had interceded on my behalf.

So when a friend and prison Chaplin asked me a few weeks ago to sing to a prison population during an in house revival, I was grateful for the opportunity. His facility houses over 300 inmates, 80 or so attend his weekly Bible study and worship hour, approximately one quarter of the population; men who found freedom from the opposite side of the bars. Many would likely say that that’s what it took to get them saved. They may or may not be grateful at this point but there will come a day when they will be.

It reminded me this morning of the story of Paul and Silas, who were imprisoned for sharing the gospel and yet rejoiced from within their dark and dank prison cell.

Acts 16:25

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

The inmates I’m singing to tonight were likely not imprisoned unjustly, but from inside their cells they’ve discovered the freedom of Christ Jesus our Lord.

My great friend and Chaplin has such a burden for the men he ministers to. Perhaps because he was one of those arrogant people that I referred to earlier. I speak not in disrespect, it’s his story to tell and he does. As a former police officer in the State of New York, he somehow made his way to Grantsville, West Virginia and retired. Something he’s not very good at, he’s done it several times since I’ve known him. But he speaks often of his inability to see past the crime committed by someone on his watch. They were unworthy of a second chance until he discovered how many chances the Lord had given him. And now he’s where he never dreamed he would be, doling out mercy on the inside of the prison rather than doling out justice on the outside.

Today, we’ll be teaming up. He’s ministering the gospel in Word and I’m ministering the gospel in song. I’m humbled to have the opportunity. If you have a minute or two, I’d appreciate prayer. Pray first for the salvation and encouragement of souls who attend tonight’s revival, pray the songs I sing will be chosen in the Spirit not the flesh and will prepare the hearts to hear the message, and last but not least, pray for our safety traveling. The prisons a few hours away and it will make for a late night returning home. I pray blessings for your day as well!

Posted in Life Inspiration, Life's Failures

Deserving of Mercy?

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

Who deserves it? Certainly not I. This is something that is a daily struggle in my walk with Christ. So much so that it is often detrimental to my service because I’m always feeling lower than a snail’s belly. Maybe it’s not so with you, but for the record I’m a wretched sinner. No, I’m not going to confess it to you, you’re not God. Just trust me, okay. And although confession is good for the soul I’ve seen too many people’s lives turn into an episode of Jerry Springer and he’s not in the building. James 5:16 does say “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” But it doesn’t say for you to air your dirty laundry or somebody else’s on Facebook and Twitter. A close friend will do nicely. Whew! That was tangent of a commercial break. Now back to the message.

So who does deserve mercy?

Psalm 103:17-18

¹⁷But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

¹⁸To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

God’s Property for God’s People

Mercy is “of the Lord.” It’s entirely up to Him and His righteousness on who He chooses to dole it out upon. I know one thing for certain, I’ve been extended an abundance of mercy. But that’s okay, because there’s an endless supply. His word said it was “everlasting to everlasting.” That’s a really long time. For those that fear him. That’s the child of God. He or she who has made a confession of faith that Jesus Christ is Lord, crucified for our personal sin, risen again the third day, proving He alone has the power over death, Hell and the grave and now is our intercessor at the throne of God providing forgiveness for our sins, and yes, mercy. It’s one of the awesome benefits of a child of God that we take for granted, until we need it. And then we’re begging for it. It’s there for not only us but for our “children’s children.” My Grandbabies! I am the Mama of Mercy when it comes to them, I extend it far above what I should or so my children say. I consider it a privilege of grand parenting to have that right. That’s probably not actually biblical, but to say that God has the right to extend mercy to the undeserving is true.

God’s Promise to God’s People

If you’re disobedient you have no promise of God’s mercy, you may receive it, but you’ll not have peace in the process. But the Word says “To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.” To them mercy is promised. Those who believe in the New Covenant, which is Jesus Christ, but not forsaking the law. Yes, Christ died because man couldn’t keep the law, but that didn’t make the law of no effect. We will sin, but we’re to turn from it and repent to God in sincerity. You cannot live in blatant sin and expect the mercy to continue to rain down upon you. But, to the child of God who sincerely tries to live in the ways of Christ, they have a promise!

I must confess again, I’m not the keeper of the faith. I fail God so often it’s ridiculous. Please live better than me. I’m trying to live closer to the foot of the cross, I want that promise and the peace.

May God’s mercy be with us all…

Posted in Easter, Life Inspiration, salvation

The First Easter Bucket

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

John 4:9-14

⁹Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

¹⁰Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

¹¹The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

¹²Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

¹³Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

¹⁴But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

¹⁵The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

I know we’re a few days past the Easter holiday, but truthfully, if we celebrate Christ in our lives every day we’re celebrating Easter; and this thought came into my mind and my heart yesterday and I needed to share it, as I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it since that time. The story of the woman at the well paints such a marvelous picture of salvation for the child of God. An interesting note about this story is that it’s the longest recorded conversation that Jesus has with any one person. And it happens to be with someone He, twice over, should not be talking to according to Jewish law. One a Samaritan, and two a woman. And yet, the Lord doesn’t stand on the formality of religion but rather He goes for the relationship. I love that about Jesus!

So here He stands (or sits, because He was weary) talking to this woman who came to the well in the hottest portion of the day, most likely to avoid people judging her, and she meets the only One worthy to judge. There’s probably a thousand points in this story, but today I’ll mention three.

The Holey Bucket

The Samaritan woman came to the well prepared to get her own water and head back to the house before any of those judgmental people of her city came around. She’d had four failed relationships and was working on the fifth. She’d been let down so many times before, she knew better than to rely on anyone else to take care of her, she could take care of herself. Or so it is that I think of her. And independent woman. Her attitude with Jesus seemed to be almost sarcastic when she says “Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with….” In other words, Mister, You came here without a bucket! How do you plan on getting water?

The Holy Bucket

This is what I love about the Lord, and reading His word. In the Bible according to Shari, the one that plays out in my head when I hear or read the Word of God; the one that sometimes adlibs, I hear Jesus saying… Woman, I am the bucket! I have everything you need to sustain life. You can drink of what this world has to offer for the rest of your days but at the end you’ll die of thirst because you can’t live without me.

The unholy Bucket

And then she realizes there’s something different about this man. He knows her, inside and out. He tells her everything that’s been going on in her life, and yet she doesn’t feel condemned. All the sinful, shameful things she’s been doing, she knows He knows. And she also knows that what He speaks is truth. Nothing in the world has ever satisfied her. She tried everything, and every time it fails. She’s tired of coming to that well ashamed, she want to be clean. She’s tired of carrying that unholy bucket around in her life that has her labeled an unfit woman. So she cast care to the wind and says “Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.”

I don’t want to come here again.

Woohoo! And Hallelujah, does that story ever put a shout in my soul! If the woman had a name tag, and she doesn’t, it would likely bear our name. She every one of us who comes to Jesus with our unholy bucket trying to cleanse ourselves, and it never works.

But Jesus isn’t at the well any longer, He is the well. Because of the cross of Calvary we now have that Easter Bucket of endless living water that will allow us to live eternally with our Lord, but for now will allow us to live effectually for our Lord. For now we have purpose.

There is so much in this story I can’t possibly do it justice in a blog, but after she finished her business with the Lord at the well, she went back to the city. This time she wasn’t avoiding people she was looking for people unashamedly to tell them what the Lord had done in her life!

So… have you been to the well? If you not… go quickly! If so… tell somebody!!!

Posted in Church Unity, Life Inspiration

Fighting Fire with Fire: Resentment gone wrong

Written by talk2shari Published April 7, 2014April 7, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

The human spirit is so deceptive. Someone hurts you and the first thing that enters into your mind is “One of these days….vengeance will be sweet.” But it’s not long after vengeance has occurred that you realize you still feel as bad as you did prior to it happening; it resolved nothing. If you’re a child of God, you’ve been rewired. That deceptive human spirit, although it’s still in there, now has a God nature to contend with, and God’s way of handling things has nothing to do with your enemy getting his or her “come uppin’s.” God’s ways are to quench the anger with water of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:20

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

This thought came to my mind as our new Pastor candidate delivered his sermon yesterday morning. A passing thought in the sermon that he didn’t dwell on, but I couldn’t keep my mind off of) was “We want to fight fire with fire, but most fires are put out with water.” Fire is a destructive source. Brush fires scorch acres and acres of property in our community each year leaving nothing behind but blackened trees and ground; but oddly enough what you think would be destroyed beyond hope, grows again with time.

As far as humans are concerned time doesn’t always heal all wounds. Anger and resentment are fire to the soul and spread as quickly as any wild fire. Retaliation in response to someone who hurt us is mostly like gasoline on a flame, it bursts up quickly and gives the appearance of success, but just as quickly burns away to a slow consuming fire. If a fire keeps burning, two things happen, you either have to add more wood, or the wood is consumed. If you want to keep anger in your soul, you’ll either have to stoke that fire, or let it go out on its own, but it’s a whole lot less destructive if you pour water on it in the beginning.

Are you harboring anger or resentment today? Undealt with anger will destroy you from within. But Praise God! The very thing the enemy would use to destroy you also has a built in extinguisher.

Jesus said in John 7:38

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Isn’t it amazing how our Lord works!

I’m not casting a single stone here this morning, I’ve stoked that flame in my own heart on several occasions, it actually felt gratifying for a minute, but it always ends the same. More heartache.

Let it go…

Posted in Christian Service, Church Unity, Leadership, Life Inspiration

You’re Welcome on my earth… but not my island?

Written by talk2shari Published March 25, 2014March 25, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

I’m never more sickened than when I see a Christian (myself included) snarl their nose up at another person in disdain for their behavior, circumstance, opinion or position in life, but I see it so often. We tend to use a person’s station in life to judge whether or not they should be allowed entry into our world. I’m not talking about entry into Heaven; no Christian in their right mind wouldn’t want every soul in Heaven, but many don’t want them in their space down here. Believe me when I say “I get” when people make you uncomfortable for any number of reasons. Their language, their demeanor, their culture, their attitude… it’s a long list! But as children of God it is unacceptable to not accept them; and not just on your earth, but on your island.

In 2 Corinthians Paul was counseling the church of Corinth (in the Bible according to Shari, and we know that’s dangerous) But as I understand there had been a man excommunicated from the church, the reason not known. And I believe that’s because for future reference God wanted you to be able to fit it to your circumstance, so He left the reasoning broad. But none the less many people in the church had punished this man. So much so that he was at risk of being swallowed up in sorrow. So Paul advises them to prove their love to him by forgiving everything he did and giving this man a fresh start at grace.

2:6-11 ~ Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

I dare say that no Christian is immune to falling into the snare of Satan when opposite world’s collide: Sinner/Saint, Rich/Poor, Democrat/Republican, Bold/Meek, Zealot/Passive, I won’t even go in to denominations! It’s not so much forgiveness that I’m talking about as much as it is acceptance. Sometimes we’ll be forgiving but will not be befriending. We want them on earth, but not on our island. At a distance they don’t make us uncomfortable.

When I began to pray and search for a topic this morning the word comfort came into my thoughts because that’s what I personally am in need of. But a trip down that path lead to a fork in the road and then as only God can do it came back to the original path. As if to say “I know you need comfort Shari, but you can’t have it without finding the source of the discomfort and getting rid of it.” So we went off my path to His own and then back to mine, and in so doing I found what I was looking for.

Paul told the Philippian Church in Philippians 2:1-4 ~ If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

There will never be comfort in any body of believers unless there is unity, and not just among a single church, but the entire body of Christ. (Those believing that Jesus is the way the truth the life, and no other).

God’s advice to me… you’ll find not only the comfort you’re searching for, but the answers you’re searching for when you love my people… all of them.

Posted in Life Inspiration

3 Things God Needs You to Know

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

Isaiah 43:18-19 ~ Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

What encouraging words this early morning! We know spring is on its way because we’re all likely dragging from the loss of another precious hour of sleep. But in West Virginia this morning it’s a balmy 32 degrees and I’m still feeling the effects of the harshness of winter, and in Isaiah 43 the Israelites were still feeling the effects of the harshness of captivity of Babylon; so God inspired Isaiah to pen these words of encouragement that continue to give hope to the captives of today. Captives of what?

Things.

I love bible word studies because they’re often like an unforeseen journey; a vacation from the typical way of thinking. Isaiah said not to remember the former things and the old things and upon further searching out those words I discovered that the “former things” were ancestor related, and the “old things” were places where they had went before. God didn’t want them dwelling on past mistakes and places that didn’t hold the best of memories, He had “new things.”

This morning as we’re on the edge of springing forth into a new season, we’re ready to don the fresh colors of the spring, short sleeves and flip flops! You’ll likely not find anyone wearing the cumbersome wool overcoats, boots and hats in a few weeks but in the scope of life there are many people who have failed to leave the old seasons of life behind when God gave them a brand new one! They’re stuck in winter grays when God provided a whole new palate of beautiful color. Too metaphoric?

Past mistakes of ourselves and others can haunt our future and prevent us from living the successful lives God intended. Rehashing the places we’ve been will create an epic fail in the new places God wants to take us. I’ve witnessed it and I’ve lived it; when people won’t let go of what someone did and continuously bring them or the event into a conversation of today making it a fresh wound all over again. When God said “No, I’m giving you a fresh new life!” Just as it says in II Corinthians 5:17 ~ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

As spring approaches it would be a good day to bring in some fresh new thoughts… stop allowing Satan to keep you captive in the harsh winters of life. It’s a brand new day!

Perhaps you’re still in captivity. The children of Israel were at the time Isaiah wrote these word of encouragement. They’re to serve as a reminder that as a child of God He has a new plan for you.

God went on to say in verses 20-21 ~ This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.

God made you for praise and He desires to give you reason, but if you’ve failed to call upon the name of Jesus for salvation or help you’re still captive. God’s not going to drag you out of captivity until you have taken the first step.

Spring forward child!

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

I know You are I Am, but who am I? Days of Doubt

Written by talk2shari Published March 7, 2014March 7, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Moses. No doubt one of the greatest leaders of all time looking back at him from the 21^st century. But looking at him from a biblical perspective… in his day…we see a man full of guilt, doubt and comparison. Those are the reasons I love his story; because I can relate.

In Exodus 3:4-6 we see Moses standing curiously before the burning bush.

And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

If I may interject my thoughts on this scripture. God called Moses’ name and Moses was quick to answer “Here am I!” That’s how it is when God’s doing miraculous things. Get in the middle of big church service where the Holy Spirit of God is moving and you hear Him call upon you to step out on something and you’re quick to respond, “Here am I, Lord! Use me!” But a couple hours later when you’re alone in your car driving home you’re wondering why in the world you opened your mouth. There Moses stood before that burning bush, on Holy ground and in awe of God and then he remembered who he was and he hid his face.

All the sins of the past came back. He’d killed a man causing him to run into hiding but he was sure he’d moved on past it. He’d married and now was working for his father in law Jethro. His life wasn’t what he thought it would be, but it was good enough. Until he ran into that bush in the dessert. He ran face first into God who begins talking about a new plan. One that’s going to put him out of hiding and in front of the masses and every doubt that Moses had in his life came flooding into his soul. That’s how it is when Satan hears your call. He’s gets busy reminiscing your list of failures and Moses begins to question his ability to convince anyone he is a leader. To which God responds:

Exodus 3:14 ~ And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

But Moses later questions God again about His decision making in Exodus 4:10-12

And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

As if to say “Lord! What are your thinking choosing me?” but the Lord squelches him…

And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

I heard a quote from Steven Furtick yesterday on these scriptures “When you doubt the product, you insult the manufacturer.” I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. I’m always doubting God’s decision to use me and comparing myself to everyone else. And I’m never enough. Enough what? Insert any number of things in there: I’m never skinny enough, smart enough, eloquent enough, entertaining enough, rich enough…. And the list goes on. Truth be told you have your list too. Insert it here.

I am never _______________ enough.

It may be different today than yesterday, or five minutes ago if the right person walks into the room, because we measure ourselves by someone else’s gift. Thus doubting the Manufacturer of our product… us.

We know Who I AM is. He’s God, but who are we? If we could only get ahold of and maintain the truth which is ~ I am me, with I AM within me. Made in His fashion, for His purpose, and placed on His path, now why do I question it? Because Satan’s good at his job and I lack in mine. My job is to go. God told Moses “I made your mouth, do you know think I can cause it to say what I need it to say? Come on, I’m God!” – that was definitely the Bible according to Shari.

That blank in the statement “I am never ________ enough.” We need to take out two words, Never and _________. Because with God “I am enough.”

Posted in Church Unity, Life Inspiration, salvation

Sticks and Stones

Written by talk2shari Published February 7, 2014February 7, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

We’ve quoted it since childhood. For many of us it was our first experience with sarcasm and even though you’ve yet to read it, when you read the title of today’s blog, the words were likely running through your mind… “Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will never harm me.” What a farce! What crazed mind thought up that saying and why do we teach it to our children? The person who had the original thought, and those of us who say it are likely trying to convince themselves that the person who said the hurtful words doesn’t matter; and they do, else it wouldn’t hurt so deep. I’ve been both the recipient and the thrower of stones. I’m shocked at how quickly words are a game changer for me. The Jesus Chick, who’s supposed to be spiritually mature and within seconds I revert back to that child on the playground who just wants to go home where people won’t be mean to me. I want to take off my Jesus Chick hat pretend that God didn’t call me for such a time as this. Maybe time will wait.

Time waits for no man.

That quote is true, but the other is untrue and unbiblical. Jesus said in Matthew 5:22 “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

Apparently Jewish law had rules against the specific insult raca, (meaning vain, empty or worthless) but Jesus shows that any verbal abuse makes one liable to eternal damnation. Praise God for salvation through faith and the grace of God, for certain I’d be guilty. It is obvious from this scripture that Jesus takes words serious, but do we? We believe that our pain and anguish is justification enough to warrant lashing out at someone, after all they’ll get over it. Do we know that for sure? Our flippant word spoken in frustration might not have been “so bad” but it may not have been the first word spoken to that person and could just end up as the fatal blow to their soul. The one that takes them out of the game.

Ninety-nine percent of the time an ill spoken word will roll off of me like water on a duck’s back…. And then one won’t. It just sticks and Satan drives it into my brain with a hammer and I find myself out of the game and warming the bench. But this morning I met with the Coach who drew me into Matthew 5:22, and showed me clearly that because of salvation I was not in danger of hell fire, but if I allowed words to take me out of the game, someone else might be in danger. And if I used words as a weapon this too could cause someone to fall into Hell, because rather than seeing Jesus they’d see the harshness of life and give up looking for hope.

Words can build up, or tear down. I pray that mine always build on the foundation that Christ laid for me. Christians, we have a job to do… time waits for no man. You, who are unsaved…God has allowed you another day to get it right before it’s ever lasting too late. What is “it.” The game changer! Salvation. It is what will allow you to see that though the words of man may hurt, the Word of Christ will heal. Get in the game.

https://thejesuschick.com/the-road-to-salvation/

Posted in Church attendance, Life Inspiration, salvation

A Millisecond Between Redemption and Rejection

Written by talk2shari Published January 26, 2014January 26, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

So this morning’s worship service attendance is two; myself and Sammy the Jack Russell. I opened up with a song (that is the Baptist way you know) on my guitar singing “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” I’m glad no one was here trying to sing with me as I stumbled through the chord changes, but I believe God appreciated my effort. On my mind not long after my eyes opened this morning was the scripture in Luke 21:28 ~ And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

I think a lot about the return of Jesus, mostly out of concern for family and friends who do not know Him and live each day as if they’re guaranteed another and we’re just not. The reality is there will be a millisecond of time between redemption and rejection. That sobering thought makes my stomach roll over.

When I gathered myself for worship this morning I asked God if the Holy Spirit would be my preacher today. I just wanted to hear from Him… not my thoughts. Being out of church on Sunday always messes with my day, it’s like skipping class in front of the teacher… it ain’t right, God knows where you’re at! And indeed He did know, and He’s teaching me well. Prior to this verse Jesus was teaching a few other people in the temple, mainly some smug religious folks that weren’t paying attention. There was a widow who came to church and as she put her two mites into the offering, Jesus pointed out to those in attendance that she had given her entire income, but they took no notice of her. Instead they began to discuss how good God was to give them such a great and awesome building made of beautiful stones. Jesus’ response to that was “As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

They began to question Him as to when that time would come and how would they know and His answer (as it still is today) wasn’t one they likely wanted to hear. They’ll be false teachers, wars, and rumors of wars, nation shall rise against nation, persecution of Christians and the weather will be crazy! (all of that of course is paraphrased Shari style); but if you read the entire chapter it sounds like today’s headlines. And then He caps it off with that statement “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

The religious people were so impressed with the building God had provided that they had forgotten the Builder, but not the widow. She gave all she had in faith believing that the God Who provided the temple, could certainly provide her dinner. What faith! That’s the faith that’s needed to make it through hard times. The world’s a scary place but God’s warnings were not to instill fear but to allow us to be prepared.

Luke 21:34-36 ~ And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, (indulgence or gluttony) and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Don’t be afraid, be ready. And share the word of God with friends and family.

Have someone you’re concerned about, I’m concerned about them too, share my page and hopefully they’ll follow this link and be saved!

https://thejesuschick.com/the-road-to-salvation/

Posted in Humor, Life Inspiration

Me and my $4 Faith

Written by talk2shari Published January 24, 2014January 24, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Postmaster Bob, in charge of undeliverable mail, received an envelope addressed to “God,” written in very shaky penmanship. Bob curiously opened the letter and read: “Dear God, its Ruth. As I’m sure you know I’m 84 years old and I recently lost my purse and any money that I had. Mother’s day is in a few weeks and I had already invited a few friends over for dinner after church on that Sunday. Without a miracle from you, I’m going to have to cancel. If it’s not too much to ask, could you please replace the $100.00 that I lost so that we can have our Mother’s day gathering as planned?”

Bob was so touched by the letter that he shared it with his coworkers and together they dug in their wallets and came up with $96.00 to send to Ruth. That entire day Bob’s heart overflowed, knowing God had used him to help Ruth out.

A few weeks passed by and another letter to “God” arrived. Bob now recognized Ruth’s shaking scribe and quickly opened it up. Bob read… “Dear God. Thank you so much for Your help with our Mother’s day party, it was a huge success! However… it was $4.00 short. Mostly likely those thieves that work in the post office have Your money.

God didn’t answer quite the way Ruth had intended. I’m sure her party lacked nothing, and if only she’d recognized the miracle that had taken place on her behalf, her celebration would have been that much greater!

A recent miracle of my own had me feeling a tad like Ruth. God answered my prayer, but I didn’t feel that I was “fully delivered” from my woes. I was in a “Thank You Jesus, but…” kind of mode. God had delivered me! If only I could get in the flesh without chastisement, I’d tell you. Please just take my word for it. But… because life wasn’t perfect, I was feeling a little short changed. I needed my $4.00. Oh… I feel nauseous to even say it. I mean God was soooooooooooooooooooooo Good to me. But I want to be honest, because perhaps you’ve been where I am, or you will be one day. And then today God spoke to me through His Word and I’m so grateful.

Isaiah 55:8-9 ~ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God’s vantage point on my life is incomprehensive to me. His ways are not my ways, and His ways are never $4.00 short. I don’t know why Ruth received a $96.00 miracle instead of a $100.00 one. I have a feeling the $4.00 came along, right on time because God is not a 96% God, is a 100% God!

All I can say is “I’m human.”Sometimes I get in the flesh and it’s never good. I’m so grateful for His forgiveness of my abundance of shortfalls including $4.00 faith. Amen.