Tag: salvation

Posted in Life Inspiration

Great is the mystery, but sweet is the understanding 

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Great is the mystery, but sweet is the understanding 

I seen a meme this morning that used the gifts given to Jesus to make a “funny”, saying There’s gold, there’s frankensense… but wait, there’s myrrh!” You might have to be an essential oil fanatic like myself to think that’s even funny, but I thought it was hysterical! And it’s how I feel about opening the word of God. There’s treasures to be found, Sense to be made, and so much more!!!!

We can learn about God through our day to day experiences with him. When we seek to follow his commands, we learn new things about him and his values and why this world is so insane. It is through His word that learn we can rely on Him for everything in our lives, and then we discover that there is so much more to God than we ever imagined. 

I hesitate this morning to even write about Matthew, because it’s not like I would have one iota of understanding of him. He was a numbers guy, a tax collector. I’m not a numbers gal. I would imagine that Matthew was a very logical thinking guy. Everything had to add up! But when it comes to Jesus, there’s nothing logical about it, even though everything certainly aligns. 

Matthew 9:9-12 KJV

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. [10] And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. [11] And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? [12] But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

The Pharisees saw Matthew and his tax buddies setting with Jesus and they couldn’t understand the logic of hanging out with such a low class of people. They viewed those people as unworthy of their company. But Christ knew their lifestyle and viewed it as an opportunity to build His church. He then used a very simplistic analogy for the religious Pharisees to understand, that just as the sick need a doctor, the lost need a Savior. This was logic that Matthew and his friends understood, just as anyone of any other personality and ability can understand. It is instilled in the heart of man, that there’s more to life. Or myrrh, as the comedian said! 

So much more!

1 Timothy 3:16 KJV

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Great is the mystery, but sweet is the understanding. 

Timothy knew what Matthew had learned. Matthew through his first hand knowledge of being with Jesus in the flesh. And Timothy, through his first hand knowledge of being with Jesus in the Spirit. 

It wasn’t up for debate

Matthew and Timothy had both experienced Jesus! And so have I. When I first became saved in 1996, I couldn’t get enough of Jesus. I wanted to hang out with preachers and teachers everyday. I met with them for breakfast, I was in church at every opportunity, and not only my own church, but anyone else’s that was having a revival meeting. There was no question that Jesus was God and He was very real, because His presence was so obvious in my life. 

In those days when Jesus walked the earth, there were eye witnesses to Him, and the miracles that He performed. As far as Timothy was concerned there was no controversy. 

We live in a world of controversy. Someone is always wanting to argue about something, especially when it comes to faith or morality. But for Timothy, neither were up for debate because he knew Jesus and knew the teaching of Jesus because he stayed in his word and with his people. 

I know for a fact that if I’m struggling to deal with something in my life it’s almost always because I’m out of God’s word. Oh, I’ll still have struggles, but if I stay in God’s word He’ll help me makes sense of it all. 

Timothy preached a 5 point message in that one verse of 3:16

Justified in the Spirit

Upon salvation a child of God receives the Spirit of God within themselves for the constant guidance of the Lord Himself. It’s not up for debate. The Lord speaks everyday. But are we listening. 

Seen of Angels

I find it hysterical, not really funny, but ridiculous that the world loves the cute little cherubs or the beautifully ornate angels statues. But most people do not understand the purpose of these God created beings. They were created to glorify and praise God. They serve Him and He gave them spiritual abilities that could go far as killing 185,000 soldiers (2 Kings 18:35). Angels are indeed gloriously beautiful. They’re always mentioned as male in the Bible. Not female as they’re mostly imaged in todays society. 

Preached to the Gentiles

This was the hardest thing for those Pharisees to understand. Jesus loved sinners and thats how they viewed Gentiles. They didn’t deserve salvation. Tell me that’s not how we often look at the lowest and vilest of people in the world today. The rapist, murderer, child molesters… they don’t deserve Jesus, right? No, that is who Jesus came to save and you and I are in that group. Everyone is a sinner. There are no righteous people until they have accepted the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection and then His blood makes them righteous. 

Believed on in the World

Another 3:16 verse is John 3:16 that many unsaved can quote. 

John 3:16 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

That’s who Jesus came to save, the entire world. The very world that He created. That’s where people sometimes have a hard time understanding, why would God create a world that was lost? For the same reason that you and I have children. We love them and we want them to love us. Not forcibly, but just because we created them. There is no greater thing in life than the love reciprocated of your children. 

Received up into Glory

The last time Jesus was seen in person was when He ascended back to Heaven. Over 500 witnesses watched as He floated off to glory. Many were killed for professing it. Would they have been willing to die for a lie? No, I don’t think so. But it doesn’t matter who believes and who doesn’t in the grand scheme of life with regards to whether or not it happened. It did. And it’s going to happen again when Jesus returns for His church and takes them home to be with Him for eternity. 

But what about you? Will you bee received by Him, or will He leave you behind to deal with this earth when evil is released to it’s fullness? Please, make sure you’re saved. Tell your family about Jesus. Do you have questions, then message me! I’ll do my very best to answer you quickly. God bless ya!!! Love ya… mean it. 

Posted in Uncategorized

Don’t ever take a man’s word for Truth

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Don’t ever take a man’s word for Truth

My heart breaks for a world around me that does not understand the love of Jesus Christ. The Need for Jesus Christ and the Fact of Jesus Christ. When I say the world around me, I refer to family, friends, and neighbors. The people that I need to do a better job of relaying the message of the Salvation of Jesus Christ. 

The Love of Jesus Christ

Galatians 1:1-12

 1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

To understand the depth of the love of God, it helps to understand the life of Paul. A staunch religious leader, educated to the highest degree. In the eyes of man – Paul had it all. So God took his eyes, at least for a short while. (Acts 9:1-8) God had to shut down Paul’s vision of all else, so that he could get his attention on the one and only God, Jesus Christ. It’s not so amazing as how God got Paul’s attention as the fact that God wanted to get Paul’s attention to begin with. Paul had been killing every Christian he could to stop the spread of the Christian faith. Paul didn’t believe Jesus was God. He was so angry at the people of Christian faith that he had them stoned to death. I cannot, nor do I want to, imagine the horrific degree of pain that would involve. And every time God would have looked on it as another reminder of what these same people did to His Son, and yet God loved and wanted Paul as a servant. Would you? If someone was killing your children with rocks and justifying it in your name, would you go to the extreme that God did to call a man like Paul to preach? No. I doubt any of us would. 

It is that depth of love that allows us to see how God loves pedophiles, mass murderers, and child abusers. We can’t imagine loving them, but God does. It also removes the excuse that anyone has of being saved because they’re too evil and our excuse not to witness to them. It certainly removes our excuse for not witnessing to people we say we care about. 

The Need for Jesus Christ

Paul said in verse 4 “that he might deliver us from this present evil world.” 

Is the world any less evil now? Satan’s ability to expose even the youngest of minds to evil through technology would have been unimaginable to Paul. While in biblical times they understood the heartache of sin and disease, they couldn’t see it worldwide, 24 hours a day. If I ask you to write down how many sad or scary things you’ve seen in the course of the last 24 hours, the list would likely be long. I sat with my 87 year old mother last night who is struggling with dementia and we watched the evening news. There were Hamas children being pulled from the war rubble where a Father lost his wife and all of his children. It tore at Mother’s heart and of course mine. But there is a greater need for Christians to understand the evil behind that war with innocent victims. It’s not that God hates the Hamas Palestinian terrorists. God would save them just as He did Paul. But those people refuse to confess He is Lord, and would sooner kill the entire nation of Israel just because they dare say they serve God and not allah. But the radical leftist news will only show you the Hamas side so that the heart God put in you will feel that they are the victims. 

Jesus, through His Spirit that comes into the heart of a believer when they confess He is Lord, gives us the power to discern what’s happening in this world and the hope of eternal life where we will live in a perfect world and war will never be known. That is only one of the billions of reasons we need Jesus. 

The Facts of Jesus Christ

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ

Paul was shocked that these people who had experienced the love and power of Jesus Christ were so easily persuaded to think otherwise. 

Knowing Christ is a personal knowledge and just as somebody else cannot nourish you by eating your food, you cannot be nourished through another man’s wisdom unless it aligns with the Word of God. It’s like eating poison if it doesn’t line up with what the scriptures say. And you’ll never know the truth without reading it for yourself. 

I recently hit one of the lowest points in my spiritual life since salvation. I will take the blame because I am personally responsible for myself, but I was sitting beneath preaching in error. How did I figure that out? I left the church. 

I was so miserable, so lacking of the truth in the word of God and the worship of God that I was in a pit of depression I could not claw my way out of. Until the very first Sunday in my new church, when the Spirit of God came down up me and I wept through the service in the knowledge that I had allowed myself to be deceived. Not by evil people. But by well intentioned people who believed another gospel. They preached Jesus was Lord and only one way to Heaven. They had that right!!! But I was told that the Spirit of God did not stir emotions. I’ll bet the Pharisees said that too. Did that sound bitter. It was. I am angry at myself for believing that God didn’t want me to worship in freedom. He died so that I could have that freedom!

I would not have known that if I hadn’t got in the right church, and back in the Bible for myself instead of believing what a man said. 

That’ll preach brother! 

Posted in Forgiveness, Leadership, Life Inspiration, salvation, testimony

The Dumbing Down of Repentance

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Dumbing Down of Repentance

I always like to start a blog post like this with the definition of our discussion, in hopes there actually is a discussion. That my message won’t fall on deaf ears, but stir the heart of the reader. From the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary it says that Repentance is define:

REPENT’ANCE, noun [French] Sorrow for any thing done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct.

2. In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.

3. Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.

Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.

Hammond.

Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2 Corinthians 7. Matthew 3.

Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice, from conviction that it has offended God.

Johnson.

The modern definition of repentance is from Merriman Webster’s says of repentance:

1: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life

2: to feel regret or contrition or to change one’s mind, to feel sorrow.

Obviously like most everything else in the world, we’ve dumbed down the meaning. But is the church any better? How many altars do you see lined today?

Repentance is Serious Business

The first mention of repentance is in Genesis 6:6 when scripture says that God repented: “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” No doubt the epitome of definition one in 1828, that God regrets the day He thought it was a good idea to make mankind. Frustrated to the point of destroying them off the face of the earth, until Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. There was still a destruction but God saved mankind. That’s ours ancestors! God spared Noah and his family telling them in Genesis 6:13 “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” But Noah’s family was saved. And earth was once again void of sin right? No. It didn’t take Noah’s family long to mess up either. But God had made a promise that He would never again destroy the earth in that manner, and He placed a rainbow in the sky as a covenant to Noah. And today God’s idiot humans have taken that covenant that spared our life and made a mockery of it. But judgement day will come again…

Of the 45 times repentance is mentioned in the Old Testament 32 speak of the repentance of God. His regret or decision to not take action on mankind. Is it because man had justified the grace again? No, but God’s mercy was extended each time in the hopes His people would return to Him with a right heart.

Old Testament or New Testament, the definition doesn’t change and neither does holiness of God. When John the Baptist came on the scene in the gospels saying in Matthew 3:2 “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” things had changed, but God hadn’t. There had been no Word from the Lord for 400 years. But now there was a word and it was “Repent.” The very first word spoken by God after 400 years of silence is “Repent.” I’d say that was a pretty serious revelation for those who understood what was happening. God is telling His people to turn from their sin.

Matthew 3:3-8 KJVS
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. [4] And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. [5] Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, [6] And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. [7] But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? [8] Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Commentary says that “John the Baptist called people to more than words or rituals; he told them to change their behavior. “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins” means that God looks beyond our words and religious activities to see if our conduct backs up what we say, and he judges our words by the actions that accompany them.”

Repentance was so serious to God that it was the first word He spoke to man after 400 years. I say that again because it hit me hard this morning as I read it.

Repentance is Sacred Business

Matthew 3:9-13 KJVS
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. [10] And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [11] I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: [12] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. [13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

Then cometh Jesus! Oh glory to God. Then came salvation. However, we are still in Old Testament times. People tend to forget that because the Bible just said “New Testament between Malachi and Matthew,” the law didn’t change. But people were still living under the law. God was still dealing with the Nation of Israel and we lowly Gentiles were still dogs in the street unworthy in the eyes of the Jews and God. Yes we could be saved, but through the works of the law, 613 rules not meant to be broken. I wouldn’t have lasted 30 seconds, how ‘bout you?

The truth of the matter is, the Jews weren’t keeping the law either. And they resented this hairy Priest eating bugs and honey telling them that they needed to turn from their wicked ways. But not all of them. It said many repented and were baptized and the religious were upset. They didn’t care that God was Holy and that He deserved their repentance and obedience, they cared more that man was in control of who was worthy of forgiveness and man was in control of the church business.

Repentance is Sincere Business

John ends up being beheaded, Christ is crucified and the Church becomes a different entity. It’s no longer controlled by man but there is a One to one relationship with Christ Jesus made possible by the cross. We’re no longer in need of an intercessor to God through the priests. Jesus, God Himself delivers us from the sins in our life, past , present and future, by belief alone in His finished work on the cross.

But what about the baptism. Baptism in the days that Christ was on earth was still a matter of works. The Jews were still “working” for their salvation. The final payment for the souls of mankind to be reconciled with God didn’t come until the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord. When He said it was finished, all of it was finished. There was nothing to be done by man from that point forward except to repent. Repentance as defined in 1828 definitions 2 and 3.

Salvation comes when we realize that we deserve the death that Jesus took on the cross. That was our punishment He took, and we trust in the fact that His death paid the price for presence in Him. A One to one relationship with God. Our continued repentance (not for salvation) but as defined in 1828 the third definition is to continually realize offenses in our lives that dishonor God. What then do we do? We don’t repent and get saved again, we’re already saved, but we repent and show honor to the God who saved our souls! Sincere repentance. Stop playing church. That altar is not just for flowers on Easter, it’s for the knees of the children of God to go to Him and pray for forgiveness, pray for the salvation of our people, pray for a national repentance and revival and do it with the sincerest of hearts. Believe that God is not done with His people or like the days of Noah, He’d have already returned and wiped this earth clean!

I’m as guilty as anyone. I’m not throwing rocks. I have taken my salvation far too lightly and I’m tired of being a slacker. Anyone with me? I need the altar! We need the altar! The church has taken that altar too lightly for too long and has dumbed down the meaning of repentance. It needs preached and it needs lived.

Posted in Christian, Life Inspiration, Praise, Purpose, Word of God

Praise God the Spirit Lives in Me!

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Praise God the Spirit Lives in Me!

When I say “I am of the opinion.” I most certainly have an opinion. A strong one. But God forbid that it doesn’t line up with His. This is my struggle. While I pray I’m always open to His leading to get me on track, I am more than aware of my human nature and the probability that I could be wrong. So doubt is an easy emotion for someone to prey on. My issues with opinion concerns are generally over things that I am very passionate about, and when someone strikes against my opinion in a way that makes me feel less than intelligent because I have my very strong opinion, my struggle goes deeper.

Knowing what I know about spiritual struggles, I’ll go to the only One who can set me straight. The Word and the Spirit of God.

The Protector of my Mind

Ephesians 6:17 KJVS
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

As a young girl I had a vivid imagination as one might imagine. One of the story lines that I continually fabricated in my mind was that of being a young girl of stature. One with “people.” Advisors and protectors that surrounded me because people wanted to know what I had to say. That probably seems strange for a young girl to think in that way, but as I have previously noted on the Jesus Chick site, my hopes and aspirations as a young girl was to be a speaker. Not a singer, or a person of fame, but a person who people wanted to listen to because I had something to say. God allowed that vision to come true in a different way, not one of stature in this world, but one of a notable position in Heaven.

When salvation came, and the Holy Spirit began living in me and through me, I had a confidence and a wisdom that was never in the fabric of my make up until then. I continued to struggle with the difference between confidence and arrogance. I loathed arrogance. It was that attitude from others that made me feel less, and I determined in my heart that if I was ever allowed to be “somebody” in the Kingdom of God, I’d never make anyone feel less. No where in the scripture is an attribute of God arrogance, confidence, yes.

As years turned into decades my experience with the Word of God and the Spirit of God was a familiar friend. Wisdom came from His Word, Understanding came from the Spirit. Clarity of subject matters came from His Word, guidance, purpose and the ability to discern and teach the Word of God came from the Spirit. That Sword helped me fight the battles I had from worldly attacks on my mind, and they were many.

The Piercer of my Soul and Spirit

Hebrews 4:12 KJVS
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

My youngest daughter calls me often asking for advice, telling me that I am her moral compass. She too has a passion that sometimes gets her in trouble. Mostly her mouth. I can advise her because she didn’t get it from anyone strange and I have more practice. But the Word and the Spirit are my go to’s. As I faced this current battle, I cried out to God asking for His wisdom. Asking Him to shield me from the flesh that had tears in my eyes and a clinched fist. Spiritual fights are every bit as real as the physical.

I knew the intent of my heart was not prove someone wrong and me right. I wanted only to know the truth. I wanted the doubt gone that had cast a shadow over the Spirit in my life, accusing me of a mind’s lie, not the Holy Spirit’s speaking. I was angry for God. And I felt the Word of God piercing my soul and Spirit. “You know it’s Me Shari.”

John 10:27 KJVS
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

In John’s scripture, he tells of the religious Jews desiring to stone Jesus. They accused Him of blaspheme because He dare say He was God. They did not believe He was God and thought only they knew the truth. That is arrogance at its finest.

The Property of God

Romans 8:9 KJVS
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Just as the anger and tears welled up on me today, the peace of God has just overwhelmed my soul in this brief study. The Word is an unchanging guide that backs up what the Spirit reveals to me. The Spirit speaks just as the Word does. If others have not experienced the Spirit in the same manner as I have, that is between them and God, I judge no one on their relationship with God.

1 Corinthians 2:11 KJVS
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Only I can know what I feel. And only God knows what He reveals to any man or how He works through any man.

I sat in a completely full 2,000 seat theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania this week watching “Moses.” A live theatre performance. I was in full judgement mode in a comedic way inside my mind, trying to determine what denomination I believed some of the people to be by the way they dressed, spoke and acted. I sat with my bestie Gloria on one side and to the other side was a woman I believed to be Apostolic because her hair was up and she wore a skirt. To the other side of Gloria was a man that could have been a member of any church, just your average Joe. Behind us was a group of gossiping, complaining, judgmental women that clearly enjoyed their time of sharing the failures of their family, another from any church USA. In front of us was a family that I’m not sure they even went to church because they made no mention of it, and were enjoying their family outing. In front of them was a woman that caused me to remember a sermon that Walter Truss preached at Victory Baptist about a Pentecostal woman in his previous church, for which the Bishop called out because her bosoms were falling out. I said all that to say this. I know nothing about how the Spirit dealt with any one of them as they watched the story of Moses play out. But I know how the Spirit dealt with me. I am chosen. I am that voice for God that I longed to be as a child. He is my Protector, my Piercer, and I am His Property. No man knows what the Spirit does in me, but I sure do.

Questions or comments? Find me on Facebook, message me at (304)377-6036 or talk2shari@gmail.com.

Posted in Christian, Eternity, Evangelism, Peace

The Benefit Package of God is out of this World

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Benefit Package of God is out of this World

What benefit is the world offering you today? That’s my question to myself. Perhaps it might be yours too after you read my thoughts for the day. When I think of the world, it’s usually in the context of evil. And with good reason, it is evil. But while we’re here, there’s plenty of good benefits of the Lord!

John tells us in

1 John 5:19 KJV
[19] And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

The whole world lie in wickedness. There’s no “good” thing in the world? No, I don’t believe that’s what John meant. God created the world it said in Genesis and God said “it was good.” Over and over he saw that it was good. So obviously there’s some really good stuff down here. But it’s lying in wickedness. Satan and his minions have the power of this earth to create evil, even out of the goodness of God. They can put something that was never intended to draw our attention away from God in front of us and cause our minds to delight in it so much, it becomes a little “g” god. Staying focused in this evil world is definitely not easy. The world grows more and more evil by the day. But for the child of God, there is still good.

David said in Psalm 68:19-20 KJV
[19] Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. [20] He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.

Both John and David knew that they belonged to the Lord. We belong to God through the blood of Jesus. He literally bought us by paying that price on the cross. And once we belong to God, there is a great benefit package! I love that David said he loads us daily with benefits. But do we take advantage of God’s goodness daily? I know I don’t. God has given us spiritual blessings, an abundance of grace, as well as mercies untold for which He ought to be praised day by day. Selah (stop and listen)

He is the God of our Salvation

Can we possibly praise Him enough for that? And do we understand the magnitude of it’s benefits. A couple of the men in our church were talking about the age of their salvation, both being around the age of 9. That is the age that God began dealing with my heart as well. Both of my daughters were saved at the ages of 8 and 10. Perhaps it’s at that time that our mind is at it’s most accepting state of the truth. The world hasn’t jaded you at that age and you can understand the difference between good and evil. God dealt with me at that age, but I didn’t get saved until I was 34. There were many years in between where this world could have been my demise and I would have busted Hell wide open. But for grace… I praise God that He allowed me to be saved, He didn’t have to. David reminded me today through that verse that it is the Lord that is in charge of the issues of death but also the issues of life.

The benefit package that comes from living for the Lord is beyond anything we can imagine.

The benefit of His peace…

John 14:27 KJV
[27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

He left us His peace! The peace that scripture says passes all understanding. The peace that in the face of death I can live without fear. The peace in knowing that when I lay down at night my family is in his watch care. The peace in knowing that as crazy and wicked as this world is, someday I’ll live with Him! Glory to God what a benefit in the knowledge of Christ.

The benefit of His presence…

Hebrews 13:5 KJV
[5] 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.

As I mentioned before, I love things! But nothing in this world has ever given me the joy that the presence of God in my life has brought. That 24 hours a day, 7 days a week I can talk to Him and He responds. That is a gift only given to the child of God. The unsaved have never experienced a conversation with God, but we that are saved can speak to Him at any time. Can I at least thank Him daily for the ability to thank Him!

The benefits of His people…

Being a part of the family of God is also an experience never felt by the unsaved. And it’s often not felt by a child fo God because they fail to take advantage of being involved with the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Until the day we are given the final benefit of perfection, we have the body of Christ (the church of God) meant to encourage us, teach us and come along side us when times are hard. Not only our church members, but members of the body of Christ who believe He alone is the Son of God who died for the sins of the world. Jesus plus nothing equals salvation. And that comes with a host of earthly agents mean to encourage you and build you up, not tear you down, which is exactly what the world will do at every opportunity.

There are so many benefits! Too many to count and today I want to show gratitude to the Lord for He has been so good and so patient with me. What about you? Are you experiencing those benefits? I’d love to hear from you! Blessings ~ Shari

Posted in Christian, Church attendance, Eternity, Evangelism

Know the end of your story

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A trip to the grocery store makes me nauseous. Not only for my own finances, but to think about those who are on a very limited income trying to buy food for their family, or gas for their vehicle to get where they need to be. It has gotten to the point that I avoid all unnecessary travel. I’m blessed with a car that gets good mileage, but even still, the cost for filling it up is astronomical compared to last year. So what is a child of God to do in these troubling times?

There’s a story in the book of Kings, no, I don’t want to say story, because that sounds like fiction, this was a news event of the day! But leading into this event was a time of trouble, the likes we have never seen. 

In 2 Kings 6:25 it tell us: “And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver.”

I may have to give up a few snacks, but I’m not eating bird poop yet! But they were at this time in Samaria. So they event that takes place in the following chapter is one that encourages my soul, both from the physical aspect of life, and from the spiritual aspect of faith. 

2 Kings 7:1-4 KJV

[1] Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord ; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. [2] Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. [3] And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? [4] If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

The Word of the Prophet

It was a different day for the children of God who relied on men of God such as Elisha for the a word on the future of Israel. But it was no different than now, in that there were still people who did not believe what the Lord said. So when Elisha told the King that there was some good news down the road, a lord (obviously a friend of the king, being that the king was leaning on him) didn’t believe Elisha and got a little snarky. Telling him that “the only way it would happen was if the Lord pitched that blessin’ out of the windows of Heaven.” 

The Word of the Protesters

I’ve met folks like that. After you share your faith in what you believe God will do, they throw cold water on your vision and tell you to get over it. Oh yes, I’ve experienced that first hand. So I know Elisha’s frustration in people not believing in the great ability of God to pull us out of hard times. Or God’s idea of “pulling us out” not being the way anyone envisioned it, but we know it works for His glory. 

We all know that America is in a mess, but, we also know that God can bless through a mess. And this is our opportunity to let the love of God shine through. 

The Word of the Prudent

And speaking of hard times, the next characters in the event are the two leprous friends. Banished from their own family and friends, Heaven knows how long they’ve been living away from everything they love, and relying on scraps and scavenging for survival. It was bad before the famine, but lately it had been worse than bad! Until the one leprous man says to the other, “We can die hungry or we can die full, so why are we setting here starving?”

Have you ever been at wits end? When there is no place to go but up? These fellas were there. So they decide to check out this mysteriously empty camp where their enemy had been. Was it true or was it a trap? They didn’t know, but they knew they had nothing to lose by checking it out. And sure enough, the camp was abandoned and they could eat their fill of delicacies and wear clothing fit for royalty. And they could have kept this knowledge to themselves but they decide to share it with the very people who wanted nothing to do with them. They returned home to tell the King.

There was a lesson in these bible verses for me. I’ve been struggling spiritually. Believing that my well was dry. Just like those leprous men, I can either go to meet Jesus feeling spiritually defeated, or, I can go see Jesus on a high note! Either way I’m going to see Jesus, but it will be a lot more fun if I’m having a good time on the journey. Believing God’s prophetic word as the fact that it is, and telling any naysayer to shush. And telling as many friends and family as I can so they too enjoy the journey.

But what about the kings friend who didn’t believe? Well, I’m sure he believed when the people stomped him to death to get the flour and cookies from him at the gate, just like Elisha said they would. 

2 Kings 7:18-20 KJV

[18] And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria: [19] And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the Lord should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. [20] And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.

His story did not end well. And neither will anyone else’s who denies the word of God. 

We are not waiting for a preacher to tell us what’s going to happen tomorrow. God’s final words were penned in the New Testament that laid the future out in black and white so we could know how the story of this earth ends. A naysayer might tell you, “there’s no way it can happen like that!” But they lie. It will happen just as God said it will. There’s going to be troubled times, but only for a while, and then God will call His people out of here. Will you be ready? Maybe you’re confused by everything that’s being said in the world. Stop the confusion by finding a solid church that preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

There are mysteries in the Bible, but none that you were not to meant to know, and none that God will not show you if you ask.

He is faithful! Amen!

Have Questions? I have answers. And If I don’t, I find out who does. Find me on Facebook, email me at talk2shari@gmail.com. Let’s connect!

Posted in Christian, Evangelism, Fear, Political

There is an Absolute Truth that This War Will End

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Like most of the world, my mind has been on the citizens of Ukraine. The families who are scared and hiding, facing uncertainties caused by a villain who has no mercy for those he attacks. My heart is broken for Russia as well who has been under the tyranny of Putin for so long, with no concept of what we’ve taken for granted in America. Our Freedom. It makes me nauseous to think about the petty arguments over politics and so called science where they don’t even know the basics of biology and yet they want to talk down to a person of faith for believing in logic. They mock America and yet the same behavior in many other countries would leave them dead without so much as a question as to why. Today, I just wanted to put the rubber to the road and walk my mind through the war that we’re facing and what does it mean on the time frame of Eternity.

First of all, let me preface this by saying “no man knows the hour or the day that Christ will return.” That’s Bible. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. ~ Matthew 24:36. But one thing can be stated in truth, it’s closer today than it was yesterday. So with eternity hanging in the balance of your future. Are you ready? And if you’re not sure, look at those eyes in my image and imagine the evil smile behind them as he fills the minds of not only Russian government, but Americans as well. I hate scare tactics and I’m not overly fond of being the bearer of bad news, but, as a child of God, it is my calling to warn those I care about of the absolute truth that this war will end. The circumstances for America is still very much up for debate. When the Chief of the United States Military (the President of the United States) is more concerned about his ice cream flavor and an afternoon nap, the odds of us instilling fear in the enemy isn’t great. This isn’t politics. This is reality. Okay, that’s enough of the flesh talking, let’s talk Bible.

Matthew 24:6 ~  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet

I have sang the song in the Bluegrass shows for years titled “Matthew 24”. I’ve been preached Matthew 24 for over 25 years believing that scripture was written to me as a member of the Body of Christ. And while all scripture is for our edification, it is not necessarily a part of the letter intended for us to build the foundation of our eternity on. Did I confuse you, I hope not, sometimes I confuse myself. But let me try and clear the matter up for you, as I’ve recently began to clear it up for myself.

When taken in context, who is speaking in this scripture? It is the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is He speaking to? He’s speaking to His disciples and speaks about scripture in Daniel when he says in Matthew 24:13-15

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 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. 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

When it speaks of the words spoken in the prophetic book of Daniel, speaking of the end of the 70 weeks, the church (that’s us!) have been raptured out. The world will be in turmoil, the antichrist is on the scene, but God’s chosen people, the Jews, are back on God’s radar and redemption when many have believed upon Christ as the Messiah. That day is coming, but not yet. The church is gone. Jesus has stepped out on the clouds and called his church home.

This is what’s important to understand about Matthew 24. If you have made Christ your Savior, you’re not here when the events of Matthew 24 are taking place. And that is why Satan intends to do as a much damage to the earth as he can through events like that taking place in Ukraine and Russia. It was a great understanding for me this week when the Lord showed me the importance of praying not only for Ukraine, but for Russia as well, and leaders across the globe. Satan is weaving his way into governments left and right, and when I say left and right, I mean that on the American side as well. The liberal left is doing as much damage to the morality and patriotism as they possibly can, and the resistant right is doing nothing to stop it. And Satan’s choir is singing a victory song (though it will be short lived) that burns my hide.

I’ve been a news watcher for some time and now that I am the news locally, I’m watching it and reading it even more. I totally understand the distaste that Christians have for the news. But we have got to stay aware of what is happening, and one major reason for that awareness is it will continuously remind us of the need to share the gospel now. Who in your family is lost? Now is the time that all of us ask ourselves that question and then act on it.

This war that we’re facing today will end. But in the meantime we have souls that need saved.

God Bless you! ~ Shari


Posted in Christian, Church attendance, Eternity, Evangelism

Where are you?.

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Where are you?.

According to pewforum.org. a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world, 77% of adults in West Virginians believe in God. And yet only 64% of those ask believed that religion was important in one’s life. Only 46% believed that attending services was important. Notice the downward trend? It continues when ask the question of whether or not there is an absolute right and wrong only 43% of West Virginians thought that was the case. The frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults in West Virginia, only 35% participate once a week. 

As publisher of both a faith based and secular website, I believe I’ll be held accountable for every single word published on my websites. While truth concerns me greatly, it matters to less than half of the adults in our state when 57% believe that there isn’t an absolute truth.

So my question for the readers to ponder and perhaps weigh in on is this: “If 3/4 of the State believe in God, why is there only 1/3 attending church? It bothers me a great deal and I think about it most every day. I have friends and family who profess Christian faith, and yet never attend church. A friend posted a meme yesterday that said “You don’t go to God’s house on earth, yet you expect to live in His mansion when you die.” Do ya really? And why would that be so? 

If your children never ever darkened your door step, never spoke to you, or showed any gratitude at all for what you’ve done, and you’ve done a lot! Would would will them everything you have? Some might say yes, because their blood. But do you understand what being ‘blood” beans with the Lord Jesus. 

It’s not about being given birth to. Which I can attest is a painful event and certainly makes a child “blood.” But it’s about giving His life for ours on the cross. Dying an excruciating death of railroad spike size nails driven in the hands and feet, mockery and abuse as He hung on the cross, and saying “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,” in His final breaths. And after that, rising again in victory to show us that He has the power over death and the power to raise us again too. And when He does, for those who have professed Him as Savior, they’ll live in that city four square, in those mansions that He has prepared. I get so excited when I think of that time. But then I get so concerned about the people I care about not being there with me.

When you look at the statistics, where are you? 

The truth of the matter is, those statistics mean nothing in the scope of eternity to us individually. As a Nation and how God deals with us now, yes. But when all is said and done you alone will stand before God’s throne and answer for how you’ve lived your life. You will have no defense unless you’re truly a child of God. 

For clarity I will say that attending church doesn’t make you a Christian.  Going to church is what you do to build your relationship with the Lord and have peace in your heart about where you’ll be in eternity. Salvation comes from believing that God is Who He says He is and His Son did what He said He did. It’s believing that the Bible is the inerrant word of God. Every word is truth. We may not understand it cover to cover, but it makes it no less the truth. It makes you accountable whether or not you read it. 

That’s a great deal to fathom if you have not been raised in church. it’s why you need to start from where you are and find you a good, bible preaching church and don’t let go until Jesus comes to get you.

Got questions? Please ask. If I don’t have the answer, I’ll find the answer!

Posted in Christian, Evangelism, Faith, Family, Life Inspiration

Stuff I have to remember not to forget

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2 Peter 3:1 KJV

[1] This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

God and I have conversations almost daily now where I ask Him to remind me of stuff I gotta remember not to forget. And so it is with the aging process. I removed a pair of my youngest grandson’s jeans from the dryer (I first typed trousers and then realized how old I sounded)… anyway… Parker had worn them to my house the other day, and either left naked or changed into something else he left here, I’m not sure, but the point of this story is, I noted when he wore them they needed hemmed. And so when I folded them, I asked God to remind me when I got home from work, to hem those jeans. 

That same mindset was in Peter’s thoughts as he wrote the final chapter of his second epistle. Not about laundry, but he reminds us not to forget. Not to forget that this earth for which tree hugging liberals are so concerned about is one day going to be a pile of ash. And the souls within the babies that are killed every day through abortion live forever, as well as the souls of every man. But they neglect that wisdom and choose rather to focus on the temporal. Another fact which Peter noted that the Apostle Paul noted, when he closed out this epistle with these words:

 2 Peter 3:15-18 KJV

[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. [17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

My instability of mind and failures to remember can be attributed to aging and a failure to take care of myself physically. I’m not unlearned or unstable, I’m unfocused. I do wrestle with ADD.  But Peter mentions that there are things that even though it may be hard to understand, we can read and study the word of God to keep ourselves aware of future events through the prophecy of the Bible. Just as God will no doubt remind me to hem Parker’s pants, He reminds me daily of His plans for this world so that I will not be lead astray by the wickedness of this world and the liberal media outlets that fill our heads with their agendas through multiple means. The world loves to fill our minds with liberal garbage of the extreme. They believe that trees matter more than babies. That’s not oversimplification, that’s truth. They believe that puppies and kitties have more rights than children. I love puppies and kitties, I have a house full. But if the cat runs out in the road, and a grand baby runs out in the road, I can tell you which one I’m going to pull to safety first. It’s not the critter. I love them, but they are not as valuable as a child. The same holds true with this world, it’s not as valuable as those who God created to dwell on it and use the earths resources to survive. 

This seems like something I shouldn’t think I need to remind us of. But it’s all about worldly perception and perspective. 

Perception – the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses. 

Perspective – the true understanding of the relative importance of things;

Both are equally important, becoming aware, and understanding the truth of what we’ve become aware of. 

As I start my day today, I pray that I am aware and will have spiritual understanding of what matters most to God in every circumstance.  Whether or not Parker’s pants get hemmed is not nearly as important in the scheme of things as whether or not Parker is raised to know Christ.

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Church attendance, Faith, Family, Life Inspiration, Life's Failures

A Question I Dare Not Ask

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It’s on my mind most every single day. I’m not sure that it may not be a sin on my part. I’m concerned and frustrated about the empty seats in the church of God. I’m not concerned about why someone who has health issues is not at church. I can almost guarantee that if they had their druthers they’d be there. I’m not frustrated, but rather saddened about those who are not saved. But children of the living God, whom I see in multiple places, without regard for virus’ or concerns of life, but seldom, if ever, darken the doorstep of God, bother me. And as I said, I’m not so sure it’s not sin on my part that I put so much thought into it. I want to ask them why. I dare not for fear of answers. 

A friend of mine who has had health struggles month after month was telling me this week of a neighbor who hasn’t been in church for 30 years because someone hurt them. What? It’s a good thing God doesn’t stop talking to those who hurt His feelings, else He’d never speak to me again. That thought makes my heart hurt. I don’t know what I’d do were it not for having Him to talk to. And I fail miserably at that sometimes. But how can one stay away from God’s house for 30 years and call themselves a child of God? How do you not have doubts and un-soothed fears that create an unsettledness inside of you that is too much to bear? I’d love to ask them, but I dare not. I have a feeling that I’ll get some half hearted answers such as “God and I talk all the time.” Do ya? Or  they’ll say “You’re judging me, and the Bible says thou shalt not judge? Does it? I have a song in my repertoire with the words, “I’m not judging, I’m just wonderin’ if Heaven’s going to be her home.” 

I wonder that, because I remember when I used to say I was a Christian, but had no desire to darken the doorstep of God. For the record, I wasn’t a Christian. I also remember when someone in the church broke my heart, and I mean broken beyond description. 💔. I remember considering leaving the church, but I knew that that was where God had placed me and purposed me, so I stayed. It hurt. Not just a little. Over time God repaired my heart.   ❤️‍🩹 He restored the relationship between me and the person that hurt me. It took time and it still hurts sometimes. But then I think about how many times I’ve hurt God, and my pain pales in comparison, so I shut my pie hole and get back to serving God. 

I felt the need to write this blog as a therapeutic way of dealing with the struggle in hopes that maybe anyone who’s out of church might read it and remember what God did for them. Or perhaps someone who’s never to been to church might wonder 💭 what all my wondering is about. Why is church so important to me?

The Lost Girl

Have you ever felt a disconnection from the world you live in? I did. As a child I felt that disconnection and I know now that it was God preparing me to come out of Satan’s world and into His. I knew I didn’t belong, but I didn’t know why until the day that I went to a church and experienced Jesus. Experiential faith. That’s what happens when your life does a 360 degree turn like mine did. I belonged for the first time in my life! I have always had an awesome family, but that didn’t fill the void that was in my life. People tried to make me happy, but they could not. I filled my life with “stuff” to satisfy me, but it did not. I would lay down at night and fear death. I had no peace, nor did I have the answers even though I was brought up in church and attended church with my children, until I experienced Jesus. That was the day the lost girl was found. 

The Found Girl

February 18, 1996 I sat on the back row of a new church wishing I was anywhere but there. As the preacher preached my eyes leaked. A few weeks later of being drawn back to that church my eyes were not leaking, I was sobbing. The conviction upon my heart for living a sinful, ungrateful life was more than my heart could stand until I finally repented and gave my heart back to the One who created it. Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see. Yes! To the song writer John Newton, I understand. I experienced sweet salvation and discovered to Whom I belonged.

The Jesus Chick

It’s more than a title, it’s a ministry and purpose. It was given to me by a preacher who knew my heart for Christ, who poured into me the word of God and gave me the tools to minister to a hurting world by living it out in his own life. He was a mighty man of God, used to build a church of two thousand; it was that same man that Satan relentlessly sought until he fell. And when he fell, I got a huge dose of reality. If Satan could take down such a warrior, he could take me down in a heartbeat. And so there is another of the many, many reasons I’m in church at every opportunity. Falling both spiritually and physically terrifies me. But falling spiritually can not only leave a mark on myself, but can also cause others to fall as well. I want no soul laid to my charge because I failed God. 

Hebrews 10:25 is often quoted as a reminder to stay in church. But the preceding verses are what causes 10:25 to come to pass.  

Hebrews 10:22-25 KJVS

[22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) [24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

If you don’t have a church, please find one.

If you are away from church, please return.

If you have a church, please stay faithful.

If you are seeking a church, (and you’re close) come to mine.

You are loved. ~ Shari, the Jesus 🐓 chick

If you want to study the Bible more extensively, aside from going to church, you may want to consider attending a Biblical College as well.