Jesus – Page 33 – The Jesus Chick

Posted in Life Inspiration

When you’re going through the fire…

Written by talk2shari Published May 20, 2014May 20, 2014 Discussion 2 Comments

When you have to pray the prayer you didn’t want to pray…

It was that wee hour in the morning phone call no parent wants, your child’s in distress and you’re 2 hours away. Daughter Tiffani just headed in to surgery for delivery of our 6^th grandchild. She’s only at 30 weeks. I’m scared, concerned for both her and the baby; needing to hug my son-in-law who is facing it alone. And I hit my knees and gave it to God, who is the Creator of all life. Who alone makes those decisions; and I want to hug Him too. But instead He hugs me.

I do the only thing I’ve known to do since 1996. Go to God and get in the Word.

It is well… He speaks to my soul.

It doesn’t feel well Lord….

It is… I hear again.

Our 2 lb 12 oz miracle came just a little after 5. Breathing on his own, and we are rejoicing.

The reality of that story is the whole time I was praying I knew it was the Creator’s decision. I didn’t feel well; I knew “it” was well, but I still so wanted it to go the way I wanted. It is with great joy that I can say the Lord answered my prayer. Both Tiffani and Parker Keith came through with flying colors. When my son-in-love called he said, “He’s breathing on his own.” My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t evening thought he wouldn’t. The fragility of life is such that at 2 lbs 12 oz., that was a distinct possibility. God is good!

At choir practice at church on Sunday evening, I belted out the solo to the song “Through the fire.” My neighboring friend Lola said, “Wow, Shari, I don’t even think they’re going to have to ‘mic’ (microphone) you.” I knew what she meant… I have a big mouth. I told the choir there was likely a genetic reason my new grandson came out breathing on his own, God had blessed us with good lungs. But I had a reason to belt that song out, I’d been through a little fire this weekend.

Just a few hours after Parker was born, by beloved and best pal, Sammy the Jack Russell was hit by a car. It wasn’t like Sam to go near the road, but that day he did. And so I went into another spiral of emotions. He was a true companion and there for me so many times, and I didn’t even get the chance to pray. My heart was broken but the day was filled with too many responsibilities to grieve. And so I handed him to the One Who created Him. And it was again a reminder about the fragility of life. Puppies or people, life is but a vapor.

I’m glad I know the Creator. I’m glad when the fire came, the water that quenched my thirsty soul in salvation also dampened the flames that tried to consume me.

Zechariah 13:6-9 ~ And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Those words… what an awesome tale they tell. An Old Testament prophecy that bears the name Jesus Christ.

Sunday morning’s prayer requests at our church were almost surreal. I wasn’t the only one going through a fire, and many of them their flames were higher than mine. But the God we serve was able to bring songs and shouts of praise throughout the congregation, because He’s awesome like that.

Are you going through some flames yourself? Give it to the Creator. He may not put them out, but He’ll carry you through. If you have time today, comment and let me know how the Lord is bringing you through!

Posted in Life Inspiration

If King David were on Facebook?

Written by talk2shari Published May 6, 2014May 6, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

What if King David were on Facebook? That’s the warped question I asked this morning as I read Psalm 55. David is angry at some guy in Church who’s forsaken him, and he’s extremely vocal about it.

Psalm 55 reads in verses 13-16

But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

I thought to myself… “Boy, it’s a good thing their synagogue didn’t have a Facebook page or that status update would have been ugly!”

It may have read:

Actually David was pretty creative in the writing department; his would have likely been a lot more flowery. But it’s probably a good thing there was no social media back in the day. As a matter of fact it might be good if there wasn’t any today. It’s gotten so out of hand it defies logic. I heard a statement that said “Before you write that post you should ask yourself ‘is this something I want to explain on a future job interview?” I thought that was a great question! Well my question is “Is this something I want to explain to God face to face?”

When He and I are standing before “The Book”, you know the one, the “Book of Life” that outlines all I’ve ever said and done, what’s my status update going to be then?

Think before you type people! I don’t want to make light of David’s situation or yours. After all David’s enemies wanted him dead. Yours just likely wants you humiliated and wishing you were dead, but it’s still pretty traumatic. I get that, I really do. I too have been on the edge of my keys wanting to lash out at some idiot who made my life miserable. Last night as a matter of fact. And then it occurred to me that I really have enough to answer to God for, ruining my testimony on Facebook doesn’t need to be another one.

Social media has made it possible for people to seem unaccountable for hurting people. Facebook is faceless for the most part. Other than a profile pic (which can stir up the fire within you more if it’s a smug looking pic). But it makes it very easy to say things you wouldn’t dare say in person. Or to write innuendos, knowing full well the person for whom they’re intended will likely figure them out… oh you’re so good!

But there will be a day of accountability. A face to Face book meeting. Think about it. I doubt you’ll be LOL-ing.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Sin Runs That Deep

Written by talk2shari Published May 2, 2014May 2, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Ephesians 2:3

King James Version (KJV)

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

The roots of sin run deep. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has issues in life. Whose old nature pulls back so hard at times I think my arm is going to disconnect from my body. Nothing would make Satan happier than to see me back slide in a very public way. There’s more bang for his buck if the unsaved can see a saint fall and then with glee straight from the pits of Hell say, “I knew it wasn’t real.” You don’t even have to fall far. Say the wrong thing, be in the wrong place at the wrong time, or get caught in a weakened condition and have someone rub you the wrong way and watch the old nature of man rear its ugly head.

When I seen this tree picture this morning on the web my first thought was “that’s sin, those roots grow deep.” Somehow or another we’ll find ourselves staring the old nature in the face, Satan will make sure of it… or so he does with me. Maybe you’ve moved past that point.

So what’s the answer?

Romans 6:19

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness

This is why I’m crazy about Christ. This is why I talk about Him all the time. Why I awake in the morning desiring a day of fellowship with Him. Because as deep as the roots of sin ran in my life before salvation, I have to run the new roots of salvation even deeper into the things of God, else the old nature will take over.

It was the nature of that tree to seek out dirt beneath the surface, but above the ground it reaches toward God and grows strong in the sun and rain. It’s metaphorical for certain, but we all know there’s truth in it. Beneath the surface there’s that sin nature that could go back to looking for dirt in a heartbeat. It’s important to be very conscious that it’s there, else you get caught off guard.

I don’t want to give Satan anything to cheer about…

Posted in Uncategorized

The Miracle in the Mirror

Written by talk2shari Published May 1, 2014May 1, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Easton Zayde born 4.28.14

I arrived at the hospital a few nights ago about an hour and a half after the birth of my great-nephew Easton Zayde. I’d have made it before the birth, had I not stopped at Walmart to get Easton his very first birthday present, and my husband his 53^rd. They now share a birthday! I had stopped to pick up some fishing gear for David and was asking the assistance of a man who happened to meander into my aisle (not a clerk.) A few words into the conversation about which “Ugly Stick” I should buy, he mentioned the Lord. For those who don’t know such as myself, an Ugly Stick is a brand of fishin’ pole. But on with the story… thirty minutes later, after a bible study on end time events, I left the sporting goods department with an Ugly Stick and a high tech reel that has flashing lights and sounds, just what every Fireman needs I figured, and a new found friend in the faith who understood the miracle.

I finally made it to the hospital and was holding that beautiful little boy and I couldn’t help but think how much I already loved him. I’d just known him a few minutes and he’d done nothing other than arrive by the same means every other child does, through the miracle of birth, but he had my heart. I don’t want to make light of his experience, I could tell by his misshapen head (which will correct itself) and his desire to sleep, he’d had a pretty rough day. It wasn’t easy coming into this world; he’ll soon find out it’s not easy living in it either. Easton Zayde had no clue what a miracle he was. He was just glad to be in his mommy’s arms with a full tummy and a warm fuzzy blanket.

As Christians we sometimes live our lives forgetting that feeling of the miracle of salvation. We want to tie the word miracle to some event or happenstance that we’ve seen occur when everyday there’s a miracle in the mirror.

I looked at the joy on my niece’s face as she looked over every inch of that little boy. She was so proud! As well she should have been. It was then that I thought, “That’s how God looked at me the day of my salvation!”

“That’s my girl! He looked at me anew; always before I’d been covered by sin and unapproachable. But now I was His child, made new by the blood of His Son. And since that day He’s held me in His arms. I don’t understand why everyone cannot see the miracle of God at work in their lives; although I should because I was one of them until the age of 34 when I got saved. But even in Jesus’ day, when they witnessed in person miracle upon miracle there were those who chose to deny it was of God.

John 11:47

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

What they didn’t understand was they themselves were one of the miracles! The harshness of the world had taken away their reality of knowing Who God was.

Don’t let the harshness of the world deprive you of calling to remembrance that glorious day when Jesus saved your soul. And if you have a minute or two today, post in the little comment box at the top of the page what great thing God has done in your life. You never know how someone could be touched by you!

Posted in Life Inspiration, salvation

The Party’s Better than Ever!

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

It may be my age, but it is more likely it’s my nature that causes me to lie things down and forget where I put them. I’d venture to say that every day I misplace something at some point, and usually it’s because I’m rushing about with too many things on my mind; scattered thoughts which tend to scatter stuff. So I “get” the woman who lost one of the ten pieces of money. She obviously wasn’t rich, else it would not have been such a big deal, but this was a big deal! Because after she found it she called her friends and neighbors over for viddles on the veranda, or perhaps it was just three for tea, it doesn’t go into much detail on the party, only to say that she had company… or comp’ny if you’re from my neck of the woods.

Luke 15:8-10 ~Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

There’s various stages of emotions when a “lost coin” event occurs in your life.

The first stage is rather apathetic, “Eh, it’ll turn up…”

The second is one of concern… “Wow, I can’t believe I still haven’t found it!”

Thirdly there’s panic… “Oh my goodness, what am I going to do if I don’t find it?”

Lastly there’s great relief and rejoicing when it’s been found, a “Hallelujah!” moment.

The problem with most people is we’re not poor enough to appreciate what we have, so when we lose it we tend to stay in the “Eh” phase quite a while and sometimes never get to the concern or panic stage. And so is the dilemma with salvation. We’re a blessed nation who lives in the “Eh, it’s all good” phase. I have a house, a job, kids, food on the table, and someone to share it all with, I’m good! I’ll find Jesus later. The problem with later is it’s often when you’re in a panic.

For the record, you won’t “find” Jesus, he wasn’t lost. He was merely pushed back into the recesses of your mind, covered over with all the worldly things you thought were important, or so it was in my life. Prior to salvation I would do and buy things thinking that one more thing was going to give me the satisfaction in life, only to discover there was still something missing. I tried to fill my life with people, activities, toys and hobbies; and as each one lost its luster I’d store it away somewhere. And Jesus would be further back in the stack. Until I could barely seem Him back there.

But then one day I discovered He was missing. I went to church and the Pastor mentioned His name. “Jesus.” Woah!, something happened. He moved a little forward. There was a level of concern in heart. And then there was a level of panic… “What am I going to do if I die and I’ve yet to find Him.” And then came the rejoicing! When Jesus found me. It turns out I was the one who was lost… I was the one who had put so much stuff between Him and me, that I’d lost my way.

There was a party going on in my heart! I was happy, I had to tell somebody! And there was a party going on in Heaven too. By the way… I’m still partying! So is Heaven. Won’t you join me?

Posted in Church Unity, Life Inspiration

An f5 Transition

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

Nine months ago Victory Baptist Church set on the brink of uncertainly with our Pastor of 21 years leaving and there was a gamut of emotions within me. I feared being leaderless, I had concerns over what a new leader’s ideas might be and what my role would be in the church, I had trepidation for my co-workers in Christ, how would they weather this storm we were about to go through and would the storm be a breeze or would it be an f5 tornado; and who would be left standing when the wind died down? I had faith that I’d be one of them, but also the reality that I’d seen many others in the faith who’d walked away from God in good times, so I knew I wasn’t invincible. Over nine months we’ve gone through the F5 phases of transition: fear, fret, frustration, fatigue and praise God, faith!

So last night as I watched my new Pastor, Steven Carter, announce his resignation to his current church my heart sunk a little for them. Not as much, because their circumstances are far different from ours; he was a co-pastor with his father. Therefore their transition is more the adjustment to the filling of roles that Pastor Steven played and missing his family’s presence in their congregation, which I don’t make light of. Things that are different are not the same… I think someone wrote a book about that once. Oh yeah… my new Pastor’s father! But even though our circumstances are different, there is one thing for certain, the transitions in life are usually only enjoyable at completion. That middle part… it’s rough.

Life transitions… childhood to adult, single to married, full nest to empty next, job to job, location to location… the list is endless. Life is ever changing. And Solomon, the wisest guy of all said it well in Ecclesiastes 7:8 when he said “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

It’s great when we get to the position in life where everyone’s comfortable in their place and content with that stage of life, but when things are a little shaky and uncertain there’s a humility necessary. You tend to rely on one another more and turn to God more frequently than before. I’m speaking tomorrow at a ladies retreat about how “epic failure equals expert.” So can transition. It’s a learning experience. Now that we’re almost to the other side of this phase in our church we can draw from that for future transitions. This was a first for many of us. I’d had only one Pastor since salvation in 1996, that’s about to change!

I’ve seen others not fare so well in the transition. Their f5 was full of fault finding, falsehoods, forsakenness, foolishness and fussin’. And what it left was devastation. Transition success is relational. It’s not leaving one to never return, it’s about moving down the road to the next phase. The road’s still open (unless you burn the bridge). But it’s good to travel back down the road from whence we came and pull from those experiences, and talk to those people to remind us of the lessons we learned in that phase. That’s why transitioning correctly can make you an expert.

Is Victory Baptist Church an expert? We had less than glowing moments, but they were short lived. And because of that, the ties that bind us are even tighter. We depended on each other, a lot! We talked a lot along transitions road, sometimes healthy conversations, sometimes not. But the point of the matter is as we’re nearing the end of our phase, another church is just beginning theirs. Life…. Forever changing. It’s best to stay in the slow lane when transitioning from place to place, enjoy the view…roll the windows down and get some fresh air… stop and ask directions…. Fill your tank up… keep travelin’…. Enjoy the destination when you arrive. But don’t drive your tent pegs too deep!

Posted in Christmas, Easter, Life Inspiration, salvation

Christmas’ Purpose

Written by talk2shari Published April 20, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Four o’clock came early this morning but as soon as the alarm went off my first thought was. Good morning Lord, it’s Easter! This is the day you arose and changed the very fabric of our lives. When the veil was torn in the temple there would no longer be a separation between God and man. The privilege once held by the Priest alone, now belonged to the common man… or the common Shari as it is with me.

I woke up as excited as if it were Christmas, which I guess is appropriate being that the reason we have Christmas is Easter. This was Christmas’ purpose.

John 6:40

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Resurrection Morning! This day is what brings hope to all the bad days. This is the day that overrides every heartache in life. God’s ultimate heartache, the forsaking of His Son now gave way to the restoration of man. God opened His Christmas gift that first Easter morning when He opened up the tomb and walked out.

Just to write those words causes my heart to leap with jubilation!!! How must God have felt that first Easter morning? From the cross He spoke “It is finished.” From the tomb, it’s just beginning!

Merry Christmas Lord… Happy Easter!

If you think I’ve lost my mind you may be right, I hope it’s because I’m getting closer to the mind of Christ. But today I have joy unspeakable for what Christ has done in my life. I hope today that you know that joy; that peace on earth and good will to men that we speak so often of at Christmas time. Because were it not for Easter, there would be no peace.

If you don’t have that joy, there’s an easy remedy. Right now, where you are ask Jesus to be Lord of your life and trust Him from this point forward for everything. Believe that He was born of a virgin, that He walked the earth to experience life as you do except without sin because He is God. Believe that He died on the cross to pay for the sin you experience and to put an end to death and give you an eternal hope. There’s still going to be heartaches down here, but because of that first Easter morning we have hope that every heartache has a reason and will for certain pass.

Make today the day that you give all that heartache to the One who took it upon Himself on the cross of Calvary.

Posted in Easter, Life Inspiration

The Truth About Friday

Written by talk2shari Published April 18, 2014April 18, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

John 18:38-40

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? I stopped when I read those words this morning. What is truth? Truth is what Pilate had standing before him; the only truth I’ve ever known. Even Pilate came to his defense ….I find in him no fault at all…. And yet they continued to insist He be crucified and a robber released. There has to be times in every Christian’s life where you say to yourself, ‘how does this make sense? Could there have been no other way?’ I think of what a great friend Jesus has been to me, how His Spirit has ministered to me in countless ways. He has been my Comforter in the days of sorrow, my Conviction in the days of sin, my Comedic relief when life got too serious, yes, He make me laugh. Again I asked and answered my own question.

The truth about Friday is none of that could have been, had Jesus not fulfilled the plan of God. He went willingly as an innocent lamb to slaughter so that we could have the hope of eternity through His resurrection and experience the Holy Spirit living within us. The truth about Friday is Jesus knew about Sunday. He’d told His disciples about Sunday, but in their fear, sorrow and loss they forgot. I’m not pointing any fingers, sometimes I don’t get it either. Like when I ask “Why?” and then I remember, “Oh yeah, He did that for me.” Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?

The truth about Friday is I wish it did not have to be, but I know in my heart there was no other way for me to have forgiveness, there was no other sacrifice worthy except the Lamb of God that would restore the relationship between God and man. Man messed it up with sin, God had to fix it.

The truth about Friday is, I’m responsible for it (and you); our sin caused that whole chain of events to be deemed necessary by God and yet it is good. It is good for us that Jesus was willing to pay the cost so that we don’t have to. It is good that for us Jesus won victory over the grave so that we don’t have to fear it. It is good that regardless of what life hands us, Jesus’ hands let us know that God is ultimately in control of everything and it is good.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

The truth about Friday is it had a purpose… and that purpose was you.

Posted in Christian Service, Easter, Life Inspiration

He’s Singin’ Our Song!

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

Isaiah 49:1-6

The Servants Song – a Holy Week Message

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

He’s Singin’ our Song!

When Jesus sings you a song, you really should come to the concert! This is the second of four servant songs in the book of Isaiah. You’ll find the others in 42:1–9; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12). It struck a chord in my heart because it’s sung to me specifically. “Listen, O isles” refers to the Gentiles. That’s us! We were called the isles of the gentiles in Genesis 10:5 ~ By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. So here in the book of Isaiah we find God singing us a song of redemption because even then He knew that the Jews, His chosen, would reject Him (Then I said, I have laboured in vain,). How heart wrenching a statement if that were the end of the story. But the end of the story didn’t come until Calvary when He became a light to the Gentiles and His servant’s song is continually sung through the Church that we now serve.

He Saved us to Serve

Here we are in the midst of Holy Week, the week that changed the world forever and I see so many unchanged. I’m even guilty myself. We’re called to be the light of Christ for the world but deed there are times that I don’t feel much brighter than a small candle flame in a dark house. I fail God daily and most churches are far from lighting the path to Calvary, but rather they illuminate the rights of Christians, focusing far more on the fact that our sins are covered than on Whose blood it was that covered our sins. We’ve also forgotten that we’re called to serve.

From the womb Jesus knew He was God, and the purpose for which He was being born was to die in our place. And I fully believe that in the recesses of our minds is our own calling from the time we are conceived. Jeremiah 1:5 (one of my favorite verses) says ~ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

You can choose to ignore Jesus’ song and His reminder that you’re called to serve, or you can experience the greatest opportunity in life which is to light the pathway for souls to Heaven. Have a blessed week!

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.