Tag: Holy Spirit

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

Seriously… You believed that?

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I went to sleep last night with this outline on my mind and it was there again when I first awoke this morning; that’s how God works and I love that about Him! The problem then was I couldn’t go to sleep trying to think of scripture that would go along with my outline and why was this outline on my mind? Obviously something God wanted me to hear, and while I love the thoughts of being Spiritually Fed and Led, the thought of being Spiritually Dead made me nauseous. I’ve seen it far too often when a church just doesn’t get it. The only thing they’re missing is an undertaker to remove the bodies (spiritually speaking of course.)

The Spiritually Dead

Hosea 10:1 ~ Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

Israel’s altars were lined, but with images not with people serving God. It’s a crying shame that the altars in America are much the same. The church altar is empty while wealth and possessions have consumed the minds of two generations; it’s scary to think what the next generation will be like when history has proven “what one generation accepts as norm, the next embraces and goes deeper into it.” It doesn’t have to be so.

The Spiritually Fed

Hebrews 5:12-14 ~ For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

If we ate food like we’re fed on the gospel I’m pretty sure there wouldn’t be an obesity issue in America. It’s so easy to put God on the backburner in the course of a day. I speak from shameful experience; God is not always my main course. We wonder why America’s going to “Hell in a hand basket” and yet we have but to look in the mirror. Why else would Hobby Lobby have to fight for their right to their rights? Because Christians have stopped reading the Word of God and listened to the liberal media tell us what’s right. Well that’s wrong.

The Spiritually Led

Romans 8:14 ~ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

I read a joke on Facebook this morning that Pinocchio entered a liars contest and lost to an American Politician. I won’t name names, mainly because he probably came in 432nd place behind every other knothead on Capitol Hill. (Fictional number, I have no clue how many liars there are). But that’s probably a low number. So you say Pinocchio’s not real… well I’m not sure honest politicians are either.

If you’re a child of God, should it not be God that you go to for the truth. After all He is the truth.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

We need to stop being led by media and political factions and start being led by the gospel. Open the Word of God or go to a Bible preaching church and you’ll discover that the Word of God reads like what a modern day newspaper should read like. But our local media is filled with more tattles than truth, pointing out the faults of their opposing party.

I know, I’m likely preachin’ to the choir if you take the time to read “The Jesus Chick.” So… share me with someone you love. Perhaps it will give them the desire to come alive! Come to the well of Living Water to feed on the truth and be led away from the wiles of the world.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Do You Know The Cuddler?

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parkers trip home

How precious is that! My Grandbaby Parker Keith arrived home to be greeted by his very excited siblings and cousins as well as a few very excited grandparents! Six weeks after a birth weight of 2 # 13 ounces he now tips the scales at 4 pounds 7 ounces and although I’m certainly glad those weeks of concern are behind us it was as usual a life lesson. Parker has already taught Noni (that’s me) a spiritual lesson I’ll not soon forget.

During his time in the hospital, a 2 ½ hour journey away for us, he spent a few days alone. His Momma had two other children at home who needed care, their families had jobs and responsibilities that would not allow us to spend every day with him and our hearts were torn. Daughter Tiffani traveled every other day to Morgantown, West Virginia to cuddle and bond with her precious new child. But what about the days no one was able to be there? It was gut wrenching to think of him being alone. But it turns out he wasn’t alone. West Virginia University hospital had paid cuddlers! It was their responsibility to spend time each day cuddling babies and providing emotional support to the families. It made my heart a little lighter knowing that someone was cuddling Parker in our absence. Isn’t it awesome that as children of God, we have a cuddler too!

Jesus spoke in John 14:16-20

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Even though God is not physically here with us, His presence is felt in the child of God and what a privilege that is! I need not go through anything alone. Every heartache and sorrow that I’ve faced I’ve had that Cuddler within me speaking peace to my heart. Do you know that feeling? It’s a peace and comfort that only accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior can afford. He died for you, paid the sacrificial penalty for sin (death on the cross) so that you and I would not have to be separated from our Holy God, Who knew no sin. I hope you have that peace today. If not, please contact me and let me introduce you to the saving grace of Jesus or check out the Romans Road to Salvation page on my site. God bless!!! And if you prayed for Parker…. THANK YOU!!!!

Posted in Life Inspiration, salvation

Stress and the Greatest Coping Factor known to Man

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Saturday morning as a kid was spent watching cartoons like Bugs Bunny & Daffy, Scooby Doo Where Are You, Josie and the Pussy Cats, The Adventures of Mighty Mouse, The Pink Panther Show and a few dozen others. I had little responsibility and zero stress. I was blessed. I know now the zero stress factor did not hold true for every child. Click on view website if you want to know more about stress reduction. It no longer holds true for me either, so Praise God! for salvation. It didn’t eliminate the stress factor but it is certainly the greatest coping factor known to man.

Acts 3:19

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Please don’t misunderstand, I’m not insinuating that saved people don’t have stressful days or days you’d just as soon pinch the head off someone than to hear them utter another word. We have those days, believe me. But the difference is, I don’t pinch their head off and when stress comes I have a refocusing mechanism on the inside of me that helps me to cope with the stress off the day; the Holy Spirit.

While some may seek various methods to cope with stress, others might explore alternatives like cbd vape juice, recognizing the value of both spiritual and natural remedies in finding balance and peace. Just as faith serves as a source of strength, some individuals find relaxation and relief in the soothing effects of CBD vape oil, emphasizing the diverse approaches people employ to navigate the challenges of everyday life. Ultimately, the choice of coping mechanisms, whether rooted in faith or natural remedies like CBD vape oil, reflects the deeply personal and intricate ways individuals manage the complexities of stress.

In Acts 3, Peter stood before a crowd of people who had just witnessed a miracle, it was a great day! Most everybody wants to serve the God of miracles. But what about the disastrous days ahead that God’s Word warns us of; the days we don’t want to think about. The day of the lame man’s healing the people were refreshed in seeing him healed, it was a day of rejoicing and praising God; but how much sweeter will it be in the troubled times ahead that you will still feel the refreshing of the Lord.

Salvation is awesome every day, but its importance is never any more understood than on the bad days when you need someone to hold on to and it seems the world has walked out, or even if they’re there, there’s no comfort found in them. That’s when the Holy Spirit rushes in and there is an unexplained calm that comes over you and you feel the presence of the Lord.

There are times I long for the no responsibility cartoon days. But I’m ever so glad that when reality bites I have a friend in Jesus.

Do you know Him? Trust Him. If you don’t… let me introduce you. Click here: https://thejesuschick.com/the-road-to-salvation/

Posted in Life Inspiration

Facing the Experts

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big-dog-little-dog

au·thor·i·ty

əˈTHôritē ~an individual cited or appealed to as an expert.

A favorite statement from my 3 year old granddaughter, who may or may not have a slight attitude, is “You are not the boss of me.” I hear it multiple times a day when she’s with her brother, and then she will proceed to run down a list of adults who are in charge of her. She gets authority, she doesn’t always heed to it, but she gets it. I’m amazed at the knowledge and comprehension packed into those babies. I’m pretty sure I was a much dumber child, and as an adult I consider myself an authority on very little, possibly nothing. Jack of a few trades, master of none mentality. I’m blessed with people in my life who put far greater faith in me than deserved when it comes to creativity be it in written, music or artistic forms. I know a little about a lot. Not a lot about anything. Just enough to be dangerous usually. What makes me the exception to the rule I’ve discovered is there are far more people in the world who believe themselves to be an authority on life. If you don’t believe me, just ask them, they’ll tell you they are and why:

  • One bad relationship and suddenly they’re suitable for counseling.
  • One good steak and they’re a chef.
  • One child and they’re a parenting expert.

I’m sure you know them. I’m sure they’ve grated on your nerves as they have mine.

But there was One who was an Authority of all.

Mark 1:22

King James Version (KJV

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Not as the scribes. That had to cut. The scribes thought they were an authority on it all. They were keepers of the law after all, they knew it backwards and forwards. They had head knowledge, but Christ had God knowledge. There is a difference in a head knowledge and a heart knowledge. We’ve all heard it or said it, “I knew it my heart it was right.” There are people who have made light of those unlearned in certain subject matters or trades only to discover later that they were gifted. They had a heart knowledge not understood by those who considered themselves an authority because they’d studied it. I don’t want to belittle the work that goes into an education, it’s immense! I just want to give kudos to my Lord who is the Author and Authority of life and encourage you who may be struggling with inferiority issues to remember (if you are a child of God, saved by the blood of Jesus) you have the Authority for what needs done in your life living within your heart. Don’t sell yourself short.

The scribes couldn’t understand how this carpenter’s son could possibly be an expert on the Holy word of God and on life, and yet He was.

One of my favorite commercials that I refer to often is the Holiday Inn Express commercial where the guests leave the hotel feeling much smarter having stayed there. To the point that they consider themselves an expert in an untrained field. Well, I’m not going to tell you that having God in your heart will qualify you to do brain surgery, but it will give you a pool of life’s wisdom to call upon that will put you far ahead of the game than most who deem themselves an expert.

Having issues? Talk to Jesus about it first. He may tell you to seek advice from another one of His peeps. But don’t sell yourself short on what you and He can accomplish together!

Posted in Life Inspiration, salvation

Is it well?

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praise

2 Kings 4:26

Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well:

If you read the story in 2 Kings chapter 4, you realize that at the time she said “it is well,” her child was dead. Over the past couple of days I’ve watched multiple posts come and go on Facebook. Some of a greater magnitude of devastation than others. But I’m not making light of any, heartache is heartache, and it hurts. But one common thread in so many is that “come what may” – God is good, and it well. If you do not know Him you likely do not understand how someone could speak those words and “mean it” during some of the hardest days of their lives. It’s because they know that there is a day we’re all looking forward to. That day when heartache and sorrow will not exist. And all those trials we went through and glorified God, will be crowns that we can give back to our Savior. He will robe us in Glory and say “Well done my child, welcome home!”

That’s when eternity starts.

No more separation. No more pain or heartache. Just peace and happiness! Satan and his minions will be cast into a pit and will never again have access to our lives.

Do you know our Jesus? The one Who created this world, and will restore it to its perfected state one day. He loves you. He wants you to know “God is good, and it is well.” He’ll put that in your soul if you’ll give it to Him. There is something within you that lets you know there’s something missing in your life. It’s the hole where the Holy Spirit desires to reside. Once you’ve ask Jesus to be Lord of your life, with faith believing that your life is in His hands, it’s then that He’ll begin guiding you to the rest of the knowledge that you need to walk in faith.

Below is a link to what Christians call “The Road to Salvation.” Please read it and pray the prayer, not because it will save you, but because the God of Whom it speaks of will. What it will do is give you the Word of God to tuck down in your heart and marker that this is the day you trusted Jesus. This is the day that you made the decision to believe “Come what may—God is good, and it well!”

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

Posted in Life Inspiration

I’m Packin’ Balm Today

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Recover!

That’s how I was jolted out of a dream or nightmare (I’m not sure which) about the hiring of our new Pastor. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve been at a level of physical, emotional, mental and Spiritual health that was normal (well normal for me.)  So when I awoke with that one word thought this morning I was excited! Because it may have only been one word, but it had such a sweet sound! I began to think about all the things I was ready to recover from and wondered how many of you were ready for a time of recovery?

Strayed Strength

Because of a virus coursing its way through my body I felt as though my strength had forsaken me, and that lead to my mind convincing me that a lot of other things and people had forsaken me. A weakened condition of the body leaves breaches in the mind that Satan is waiting for. When Nehemiah rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem he had to fix the breaches and there were people who weren’t happy.

Nehemiah 4:7

But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

Stopping the breaches will block off the naysayers and discouragers and allow the recovery to begin. But it’s not like we can run down to the hardware store and get block and mortar to solve the problem, so how do we stop the breaches of the mind?

Balm-of-Gilead-TreeJeremiah 8:22

 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Jeremiah questioned why they were not healed, because he knew that the Great Physician stood by ready to apply the balm; but the fact of the matter was they wouldn’t submit to the application. Often times our healing won’t take place because we won’t follow the prescription… or even visit the physician. As for my physical state I’ve refused to go to a physician for fear they’d say I was sick…. Yeah I know… and I’m no better off on the emotional and spiritual state!  When people hurt me, I put up a hard shell and told myself that I was protected by the blood of Jesus, which was true but I didn’t need a hard shell, I needed the softness of the Savior that I would have gotten from the Balm of Gilead. Jesus would have soothed my hurt away, but I shut down. Rather than taking it to Him I just shut off everyone.

Spiritually I shut down too. I’d try to read the scripture but as sure as I did the breaches were too great to stay focused and I was constantly battling the enemy. So again I shut down. Nehemiah was successful at repairing the breaches because he enlisted help. I had allowed my physical state to isolate me spiritually as well. I would occasionally allow someone in, but for fear of exposing them to the physical virus as well as the emotional fall out I was going through I wouldn’t let them stay long, and I certainly wouldn’t divulge how very vulnerable I felt. The end result… more time alone with just me and my thoughts and Satan.

Today is a day of recovery. I’m still not 100% physically, emotionally or spiritually but I’m packin’ balm today! I’m allowing the great Physician to soothe my tattered body inside and out.

Life’s lessons would be much easier if I’d listen earlier. Whether it’s sin in my life or sorrow, the Savior can’t fix it unless I’m willing to submit to His ways…

Posted in Life Inspiration

Conversations with Satan

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I enjoy my long trips to work (provided it’s not on ice) because it allows me to get at least one sermon in as I start my day listening to some of my favorite preacher’s pod casts. But there are occasions that I like to ride in silence. Sometime I pray or converse with God… but before you put me up on some pedestal I’m bound fall off of and break a hip let me tell you what generally happens. I start thinking about life’s circumstances, some good… some bad. And then Satan begin to chime into the conversation.

“So, you thought you nailed that meeting, huh… well you didn’t…. Those same people in your space again, judging you, and you failed… it’s no wonder…you can’t even keep the kitchen clean, and the laundry, what’s up with that? Every other woman can do it, you’re an epic fail…

Okay, whatever Satan. I need to think of something else, he’s got my number on that one… Easter’s coming up. I need a new dress…

Yep, but you don’t need a new size… hahahahah….

Okay bad idea… Teen camp planning. That’s safe. I need to get the curriculum out to the counselors, and get someone to do the activities, gee, I hope Nan will cook….

Let’s discuss last years camp…

And that’s within the first five miles of the trip. Silence is not always golden. Sometimes it’s stainless steel (cold and unbending).

It shouldn’t surprise me that I’m a target, he knows Christ is living in me and nothing brings him greater joy than to mess with Jesus’ house. Although it did not work with Christ when he used the same tactics:

Matthew 4:1-11 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

He waits on those vulnerable moments that are evident. I don’t believe Satan is all knowing, only God has that power, but I believe through he and his crew of fallen angels they can hone in on what they see as breaks in the armor. Be cautious of what you verbalize or make visual, and if there’s a crack in the armor fill it with the Word of God.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Temptations come in all forms and most likely it’s the things we’re looking at. I’m a very expressional person. You can read my feelings on my face including those things I desire. How very easy  I make it for Satan to understand what my heart wants that perhaps I should not have; to buy, do or say something that I should not and put my life or my testimony at risk. And the conversation starts… We need to learn to recognize the temptation and speak the word of God over it.

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Stuff… I’m all about it. And Satan knows it. He knows if he can convince me it’s a justifiable purchase I’m in like flinn, and then once I’m in… he’s the first to jump on the criticizing band wagon and start railing on me for wasting money. There’s no pleasing the guy! Jesus’ focus was back on glory and the fact that only God fulfills the desires of the heart, not things.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him

Satan finally bugged out of that battle field, but he was far from gone. His focus was no longer on tormenting the Son of God personally but using the only thing he could… us. But the good news is we have the same weapons Jesus used, we just need to remember to pull them out of our arsenal. Before you go into the world today, make sure you’re packin’… the Word!

Posted in Life Inspiration

Talk is Cheap, or is it?

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money-talks-two

Spend a day listening to the world around you and number the conversations that are “of God” and those that are “of the world” and I can pretty much guarantee which will be greater (Unless you live in a bubble or are blessed enough to have a ministry job.) And even then I’m not so sure the numbers wouldn’t run close. When I refer to conversations that are “of God” I’m not talking about deep theological conversations or even shallow ones, but rather conversations that you would have in the presence of Jesus if He still walked among us. Every day I’m shocked at how very little people actually think about what they say. Profanity seems to be at a premium while godly conversations are whispered in a back room for fear of offending someone. My heart sinks for I know God is frustrated.

How do I know?

Deuteronomy 7:6-8 ~ For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

The select few. If you are a child of God you are of a select few, chosen especially for God himself; above all the people on the earth He chose you. You may or may not have a great relationship with your parents who gave birth to you, but your Heavenly Father handpicked you not to be like the world (for there are plenty like that) but to be holy. Matthew 7:13-14 reiterates the same notion when Christ said “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and manythere be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

If you are a child of God you are of the few! It’s not that God wouldn’t take them all for He loves the world, but the select are the elect that choose to take Him.  And upon choosing to take Him as your Savior you chose to have Him reside within you; so those conversations you are having during your day are not in front of Jesus, they are from Jesus because you are His representative.

How are you representing?

Today you and I are both reminded that our words do not return void. They sow and reap something. We’ve been redeemed, bought with a price. Talk is cheap… salvation was not.

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

Graduated Thinking ~ Less Than What? ~

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cap

This morning I’m here to share with you something that’s been on my heart to share for years, and I’ve not had the courage until today. When I read a post from a teen in my youth department who Satan was thumping on and who had the nerve to fight back, publicly. She’s a senior in High School who beyond a shadow of a doubt has the talent to do or be anything she set her mind to, but she’s choosing at this time not to go on to higher education but rather focus her life on being a woman of God, and perhaps a wife and mother a little further down the road. And because of her decision the world is berating her that she is less. My question to them is “Less than what?”

Here’s my story. Unlike her I wasn’t saved when I graduated High School, therefore I did not have the Holy Spirit within me giving me guidance, but that’s not to say that I didn’t have the Holy Spirit guiding me, because I fully believe He set a path in motion that would have been easier if He were within, but was fulfilled from without. I hope you got that. God had a plan… Jeremiah 29:11 says – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ~ God had a plan that He allowed to come to fruition because I eventually did get saved; which God knew I would, that was the expected end He could see. And I believe the plan would have come together much nicer if I had gotten my heart right with Christ sooner.

But like this young lady much of my life was lived feeling inadequate because I didn’t measure up to the world’s standards. And some well-meaning people… and some, quite frankly, mean people contributed to that inadequacy with questions as to why I didn’t continue my education, and still yet today ask that question of me. And still today when the question arises I feel less. Less than what? Less than God intended?

This is not an “anti-higher-education” blog. Praise the Lord for those who seek wisdom in specific fields. I don’t believe any of us want a doctor or nurse who got their degree by filling out a form and paying a fee. No. We want well educated people. But I’ve seen plenty of well-educated miserable people who rather than following the Lord’s will and plan for their life chose a profession based on status. Who felt that they’d never measure up in life unless there were some ABC’s behind their name. And there were some who when having achieved the ABC’s forgot the fundamentalism of life’s purpose.

I’ve wanted to write this blog for months, but every time I put fingers to keyboard the fear of someone saying “You’re writing this to justify yourself in a field you’re not qualified for,” came to mind and I just shut it down. Because the world had convinced me that they defined me. If I didn’t have their piece of paper somehow I was less. Less than what?

This morning as I sought for answers I ran across Psalms 139 and discovered that I did indeed have a degree. Psalm 139:16 ~ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

My name is written in a book in Heaven under “Child of God”, but not only my name… “all my members were written down before I was born.” My fingers were written down, they have a purpose, my eyes were written down, and so was my mind, and my legs and my toes…. Every member of this body has a purpose and a talent that no man can define. A degree is a unit of measurement, and I, Shari Johnson have abilities measured in Heaven which are limitless. So lesser than what?

If I fulfill the will of God in my life; His purpose… then when I get to Heaven and receive my final reward it won’t hang upon a wall, but will be a crown of pure gold that I can lay down at the feet of my Savior.

Read on in Psalm:139 verses 17-18 ~ “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum o f them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”

Posted in Life Inspiration, salvation

A Message from the Keeper – What He gives back, He’ll be in

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Matthew 3:1-3 ~ In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

John the Baptist came out of the wilderness eatin’ bugs and wearing leather britches; he was the toughest hombre of the day. He’d known Christ from prebirth (having lept in his mama’s womb when Mary came to visit after the Lord had revealed His plan to her). He was excited then and he’s excited now but he doesn’t deliver his message in blazes and bling; it’s simplistic, rugged and humble. It’s straight forward. The salvation of the Lord had begun in the wilderness when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, the law we could not keep; and its completion began in the wilderness when God gave John the Baptist the message of the Keeper, “Repent!”

Turn away from Sin to Sanctification

The Holy, Creator of all the universe, Who created this earth in perfection only to have it marred by the fallen angel Lucifer needed a sacrificial way to restore His relationship with mankind. Throughout the Old Testament the blood of slain lambs was a temporary fix for sin, but at this point God was about to reveal the final sacrifice. And the initial announcement didn’t come from where they’d have expected it… the church. They were waiting for a King in a splendor greater than King Solomon to arrive on the scene, but instead God sends a cowboy preaching on sin. And it works! Because deep in the core of God’s creation lies a seed waiting to take root, and when it hears the Word of God it’s a fertilizer on the soul that makes that seed grow the sinner know that it is God who speaks, and a desire to know Him springs forth. Every Word of the gospel spoken after that is water on the dry thirsty ground making them grow in the grace and wisdom of God’s design. It’s seldom traditional… there’s still a wild side about it. It’s as if we’re still blazing new ground, although it’s not new. But because sin has taken root in the world it is what is considered the norm. So when a child of God begins to see sin as it is (to be fled from) the world doesn’t understand why we’re so against what’s normal.

Turn away from Religion to Relationship

In John the Baptist’s day and in ours religion is a part of the problem. Religion doesn’t like leather. Unless it’s on the embossed seats of their pews. Religion likes tradition, things that don’t change… but when God’s involved things change. Religion doesn’t want a relationship with God, it wants rules. Everybody doing the same thing, the same way, every day, day in and day out and what occurs is legalistic ritualism. So, when God does speak it scares them to death, it’s not the norm.

John the Baptist had spent time away from the world and the message he received and still delivers is “Repent!” There’s no works involved in a relationship with Christ, it’s simply turning away from what the world offers, and turning to what Christ offers. The work comes when we build relationships with people so that we can introduce them to Christ. That’s work! Because religion has convinced them that God is a sharped dressed, Rolex wearing, untouchable man that flies around in a jet looking down on the people. When in reality God is common clothed, barefoot Lord that will stand toe to toe and eye to eye with His creation to prove that He loves them and wants to be a part of their lives in non-traditional ways.

Non-traditional is not about what we wear, or eat, or any man created ideas. Before you think that what you are, is what God’s about… you need to ask Him about it. Turn away from everything in your life and give it to God… what He gives back, He’ll be in.