Tag: Jeremiah 29:11

Posted in Life Inspiration

Don’t Mind the Dragons and Serpents

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Don’t Mind the Dragons and Serpents

2017-dragonWhat did I have on my mind as I went to sleep on the brink of 2017? Why, dragons and serpents of course! Thanks to my good friend Chief Eisley’s preaching last night. It was an awesome sermon! And spot on for what I needed in this season of life. Chief opened his sermon with the illustration of early exploration and map makers who wrote on the maps of unchartered territories “For all we know there could be dragons and serpents there.” Now, I’m sure it was worded differently so don’t hold me to the grammaticism of the day. The point of the illustration that I went to sleep with being on my mind and awoke this morning with it as well was, 2017 may have dragons and serpents in it, if I believe the words of ye old dragon himself, Satan!

Satan loves to booger me up with unchartered territories by laying it on thick about what might possibly be in my future.

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughs of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Those are the words of God, so why is it that the words of Satan so often seem so much weightier in my life? Because I listen. It’s as simple as that. God did not say there were dragons in those waters any more than He said there are dragons in my future, but Satan planted that seed and I wrote it on my map in the unchartered territories of 2017 and when I got up this morning I began to think… oh my stars. What if this and that happens?! And away went my imagination with all minds of horrific possibilities and problematic issues that may or may not happen and rather than living in the victory of Christ, I’m living with dragons and serpents.

Well played Satan, but I’m taking back my boat.

Chief’s three points to ponder last night were:

  1. Contentment – Wanting what you have.
  2. Companionship – We are never alone, and
  3. Confidence – “He hath said….”

Jeremiah 29:11 wasn’t Chief’s scripture. He was actually in Hebrews 13:5-8

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

That’s good stuff to take into 2017. It’s not unchartered territory it’s tried, true and proven territory. When Satan points to the dragon, just point to the Savior… He’ll shut up for a while any way.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! From the Jesus Chick. I’m praying there are no dragons and serpents in our waters that lie ahead, just smooth sailing!

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Abbreviated Faith

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Abbreviated Faith

I am forever looking for a shorter way to get from point ‘a’ to point ‘b’, whether it be in a car trip or on a project, there has to be a shorter method. This has often lead to disappointing results. A well-intended GPS route ended at a cow path in the middle of Marshall County, West Virginia and a four hour delay; craft project short cuts have ended in disaster; and my mandolin playing skills have suffered because I’ve found an abbreviated version of chording using only two fingers instead of four. What can I say? I’m good at finding shortcuts! But there is one regard for which I do not want to fall short on and that is my service to the Lord.

Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

We all fall short, I’m not expecting perfection; nor should you. But there are some expectations we should have.

We should expect Glorification of the Father

Philippians 1:20

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death

As I said, I know I’ll fail. I’ve barely started the day and my thoughts went places they shouldn’t have gone, I’ve been frustrated about circumstance that I know God has control over, and yet, I’m still expecting God to receive glory from me today. I expect it because I’ve seen God use me time and time again undeservedly all because I’m willing. Not worthy, just willing. So today you and I should both expect with great anticipation that God is going to open up a door that will allow Him to receive glory because we’re willing to walk through it. Amen? Amen!

We should expect Grace of the Father

Acts 12:11

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

I’ve lost count of enemies and friend-imies. Satan will use people that you would have never expected to come against you to tear you down, and often time in the church! I’ll be shocked one minute and then in my heart I have to say “yep, I should have seen that coming.” And sometimes I’m my own worst enemy. But the great thing is, I serve the God of all grace! I’ve been delivered so many times that I, like Peter, can say, “Yep! The Lord did that!” Otherwise I’d have been in a pickle! Don’t be shocked by grace, expect it! Not in arrogance but in the humility that if we stay on Faith Road, we’ll get to the destination that God intended. Which brings me to my final point.

We should expect Guidance of the Father

Jeremiah 29:11

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.

Nothing in our life catches God off guard, as a matter of fact He may have put something in our life that we think is going to be our destruction and it ends up being a great blessing. Take a look at the life of Job. God set him up! Satan did not come up with the idea to attack Job; no, it was the other way around!  “And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job.” (Job 1:8) So what do you do when God is the one Who has you between the rock and the hard place? You trust that God is the Rock, and you’ve been guided to the hard place for a purpose. You expect what God expects, Peace.

I don’t know what exactly is in store for Shari. But I know Who knows.  So today I have some great expectations, because I serve a great God! Keep serving! child of God. There’s no short cut to God’s design for our life. Live with Expectation!