Posted in Life Inspiration

Trend that Twitter

chick crown

I watched the news for a brief moment this morning and then, as is typical with me, grew weary of the pomp and circumstance of their viewpoints and political correctness. My heart breaks for victims of our societal woes and then ten second later you’re drawn into all the hoopla of Hollywood. We’re a messed up nation! The Oscar awards have certainly taken precedence over all media outlets with the award winners using their night of fame to further their cause or agenda. I guess it’s their party, but if it were mine I’d want to tweet something that had the tenacity to last. #OnlyHisAwardsMatter

There’s going to come a day when political correctness and the personal agendas come to a screeching halt. When the arrogance of man stands in humility before an Awesome God.  When those who are wreaking havoc on the world in the name of any other god will come face to face with the One and only God, Creator and Lord, Jesus Christ. Whew! That’ll preach won’t it. Tweet that Twitter!

We’ll have our own awards ceremony someday, but I doubt any of us will be touting our own agenda. No, we’ll just be so glad to be on that platform we’ll likely utter nothing more than “Oh God…I’m so glad I made it.” There will be no accolades as to how we made unless it’s made it through the fire.

If we want our award day, here’s what’s available:

THE SOUL-WINNER’S CROWN – Have you led another to the saving grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ? If you have, you’ll have the Crown of Rejoicing!  2:19: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?.” I had the privilege of posting a picture of a very well loved retired Pastor in our area on Facebook the other day and immediately people whose lives he had touched began to post and share what his work in the gospel had meant in their lives, That will be a fraction of what he’ll experience when Christ crowns his head with the soul-winners crown! Glory to God, that’s exciting.

THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – Do you look forward to Christ’s return? I know people who dread it. They’re not ready and their families are not ready and they know it. And yet they continue to live their lives as if they’re promised another day, week, year to be prepared.  2 Timothy 4:8 says “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Don’t lose out on this crown, strive to see your friends and family saved so that Jesus’ return will be a Red Letter day on your Calendar.

THE CROWN OF GLORY – Have you been a teacher or preacher of the Word of God? All the investments of time and money into making the gospel come to life and some days feeling as if it was for naught and that you’d like to crown somebody (but not in a good way). Well, your reward will come. Nothing done for Christ returns void and nothing done for Christ will go un-noticed. Your crown is waiting! 1 Peter 5:4: “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN – Have you ran a good race? Life is full of competition where we’ve been beat down and  beat out for that award, job, position in life, etc.; but there is one race that everyone who runs well will receive the prize regardless of position. In this dog eat dog world that makes my heart smile this morning! 1 Corinthians 9:25: “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

THE CROWN OF LIFE – People who endure suffering, knowing there is a better life in the world to come. The Oscars, Grammies, Emmys and Tony awards will never make it through the fires of God’s testing. But our temptations and trials will become a trophy of grace through the crown of life  we’ll receive in Glory. James 1:12 says  “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

 It’s a Promise!

Matthew Henry was quoted to say “We only bear the cross for a while, but we shall wear the crown to eternity.”

Tweet that Twitter. #Hashtag that World.

Weary child of God… your crowns await.

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Posted in Life Inspiration, Political, salvation, Uncategorized

Whether or not they believe…

BELIEVE 2

John 10

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

Dedicated to Religion

Always a scary thought for me. The Jews were celebrating the miraculous victory and deliverance from the Greco-Syrian control. A time when the Greco-Syrian king took control of the Temple in Jerusalem and forced the Jewish people to abandon their worship of God, their holy customs and reading of the Torah. He made them bow down to the Greek gods and according to the records, this King Antiochus IV defiled the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and spilling its blood on the holy scrolls of Scripture.

As a result of the severe persecution and pagan oppression, a group of four Jewish brothers, led by Judah Maccabee, decided to raise up an army of religious freedom fighters. These men of fierce faith and loyalty to God became known as the Maccabees. The small band of warriors fought for three years with “strength from heaven” until achieving a miraculous victory and deliverance from the Greco-Syrian control. The Feast of Dedication is also known as Hanukah.

The Jewish leaders loved history and tradition, but it was the new non-traditional ideas that they had an issue with; like the fact that God had a new plan and it didn’t involve religion, but rather relationship. The Jews had regained possession of the temple, but lost possession of God’s purpose.

Deviated to Reception

The Jews swerved away from the notion that there would be a new way.

25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Jesus had come to give a freedom that would remove the Jewish Priests control over the relationship with God and His children. No longer would there be a need to have multiple intercessors on earth, but through Christ Jesus we would have direct communication to the throne room of Heaven; this doesn’t sit well with religion or anyone else who likes complete control of the circumstances of life.

The victory and restoration of the temple began when four Jewish brothers had had enough. I see a little Greco-Syrian tactics going on in our own government today when at every turn they are removing Christian rights and allowing pagan rights to rule. It seems that Christ is no more welcome on Capitol Hill than He was in the temple that day. The Jewish leaders tolerated Him, but they really would just rather have Him gone so that they could once again have full control over the people. The religious leaders didn’t win their battle any more than those who try to thwart Christianity today will succeed.

Destined to Redemption

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

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

We may have to fight a few battles of our own before Christ comes to claim the church and take us home. But whether or not Capitol Hill believes on Christ, they cannot control the relationship that God has with His people. Glory Hallelujah for that!

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

When darkness lead to Light

light

Jude 14-15 ~ And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him

As if to say, “What part of ungodly didn’t you understand?”

I feel (and remember that’s how I feel it, not necessarily how it is) that Jude has had it up to here with this ungodliness. He’s reminding the readers of his letter that the Old Testament concealed what the New Testament now revealed, which is that Jesus is coming back. The mockers will have their day in the court of the Lord when they will not stand and criticize and condemn Christianity but will look upon the Maker of Creation and bow before Him confessing He alone is Lord, convinced. Romans 14:11

Arrogance abounds in the world. It’s why it makes it so hard to share the gospel because the gospel is humbling and they want no part of humility. But get us alone and the arrogance seems to melt away. We realize that we are powerless against the forces of darkness and death. I’ve seen no better illustration than on New Year’s Eve when a preacher separated the youth and adults at our event in the auditorium. With about 54 in attendance in an auditorium that seated 500, he strategically placed everyone with several seats between them, and then began his message. All cell phones were off, no friends to rely on or distract us, everyone’s eyes were forward and their ears attentive to the message. And then he goes there… that place no one wants to go… Hell. And just as he begins discussing the outer darkness that Hell will be, the lights in the auditorium go off and the only lights you could see were the “exit” signs above the doors. And after a minute or two of a mixture of the Word of God and awkward silence, the lights were turned back on. Arrogance abated. Now, he really had our attention.

Eleven young souls came to know Jesus that night.

You may think it was a scary time and anyone would get saved under those circumstances. It really wasn’t scary. The entire time of darkness the preacher spoke on the fact that we are in a very controlled environment, the kids got that. There were periods of great laughter and jubilation at the teen event on New Year’s, the youth would no doubt tell you they had a great time But what they also came to understand was that when we get alone with Jesus it’s accountability time… and we got nothin’. And regarding “anyone would get saved under those circumstances; they didn’t. There were a few kids, who when ask if they were unsaved, raised their hands but made no attempt to rectify the matter. Why? Only they know and it’s what frustrates Christian leaders like Jude.

Hell is a real place and darkness alone is not its scariest feature, but the flames of Hell and the separation from God and everyone we know.

My blog today was not a feel good message but a reminder that we’re a lot closer to His return than those of Jude’s day. We need to be spreading that message that Jesus provides

  1. Light in the darkness
  2. A friend that will never leave nor forsake you (even in a dark auditorium)
  3. A promise that will not fail, He’s returning.

I want to make 2014 my year of leadership. Leading unsaved souls to Christ and saints to greater service. Please pray for me and this ministry.

Posted in Uncategorized

The truth about the lies – Media today

Fixty-six percent (56%) of all voters in a 2013 poll done by http://www.rasmussenreports.com regard the news reported by the media as at least somewhat trustworthy, but that includes just six percent who think it is very trustworthy. Forty-two percent don’t trust the news media with 12% who believe the news it reports is not at all trust worthy.

So what’s real and what’s not?

I was asked last night why I didn’t watch the news. I’m certainly of the 12% who’s jaded by the media’s drive to report news with a political spin, left or right, and the infighting of network staff reminded me too much of churches. I can get opinioned news on the street and as for the fighting it’s readily avaialbe as well. So I turned it off. My husband and coworkers watch the news and if anything is of interest to me generally they bring it up. Or someone in social media gets on a rant about it and I’ll follow it up by an even less trustworthy source, the internet. I do trust my friend Dewey Moede who reports for www.fggam.org, a Christian ministry out of New Mexico and if a major disaster is going on I’ll tune in to a local station, usually WSAZ. For which I received a wonderful email from one my favorite anchors about their relationship with Christ.

I’m not anti media, I’m anti “anti.” The hostility toward views not their own is a real turn off for me and so I turned the off. Their negative views do not change the facts that I know to be true. The Bible reads as a modern day newspaper.

Matthew 24

Vereses 3-5 ~ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Have we not seen it?

Verses 7-9 ~ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

It’s reported that greater than 100,000 Christians are killed each year for their faith.

Read on…

Verses 10-14 ~ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

How many churches are across the world preaching false doctrine? Too many to count. How many denominations spend more time fighting with each other than spreading the gospel? Too many! And because of it people choose to believe nothing. But fear not. The truth is there and look how far it’s traveling. Scripture says it would be preached to all the world, and so we see that unfold today.

Read for yourself the entire chapter of 24 in Matthew and study it out and you’ll discover that it reads in great detail the headlines of today’s news.

So the answer as to why I don’t watch news? I do. It’s the Word of God. And it’s coming to life.

Jesus’s words in verse 33 sum it up quite well  ~ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

He’s at the door. I’m not saying when, because the Bible is clear to say that no man knows, it’s also clear to say that we need to be ready. So, are you? Have questions or comments, ask them below or email talk2shari@gmail.com.

 

Posted in Uncategorized

The Last Day….. GLORY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Micah 4:1-4 ~  But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.

I do not know about the condition of your heart this morning, but I know the condition of mine… tired. Every newscast, headline and conversation anymore seems to be filled with sadness and despair. From a national front to the living rooms of America there is war. Family quarrels and dysfunction, broken promises and abuse. It literally wears me out. And then… I come across verses like those in Micah. Praise God for glee! And not the television show. The glee within my soul when I think about that day. That day that you don’t want to miss out on.

  • The last day of sadness
  • The last day of sorrow
  • The last day of sickness
  • The last day of lies
  • The last day of broken promises
  • The last day of separation
  • The last day of abuse
  • The last day of fighting
  • The last day of war
  • The last day of substance abuse
  • The last day of insert yours here.

GLOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAY!!!!!

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for church this morning! And if you’re not ready for the last day, if you do not know for certain you’d be in Heaven if Jesus returned this morning, then I’d find me the closest Bible preaching church I could find and be among them today. Because the days described in Micah 4 are coming when there will be no fight, fear or fallacy. You need to be ready. But the greatest part about getting ready is that you don’t have wait until Jesus returns to get the peace that knowing Him affords. It comes into you the second you accept Him. Hallelujah. Let’s go to church!