Tag: Saved

Posted in Eternity, Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Know ye not?

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Know ye not?

Gas shortages, Covid spikes, cyber attacks on the pipeline, it’s just another day in America. But these are certainly trying times. However… I taught my a lesson on Sunday morning using my previous post. “Unapologetic child of God.” ` And I’ve since pondered it again. It was great class, with great response from the kids. But a response that struck me was that when I mentioned the sexual sins in the temple. The kids were a tad shocked that I mentioned it. But I wanted them to understand that immorality is not just an issue off today. 

But the more I thought on this, the more I became like the children in my class and was more than a little shocked at the level of depravity of the people. And then I thought about the Old Testament behavior of Sodom and Gomorrah. Wow. We have been a wicked generation of people from the beginning. You’re probably not shocked with that information, but still yet, does it not boggle the mind sometimes? Why is it that we have become so accepting of sin, even in the church.

The men in Corinth are visiting prostitutes and they want the rest of the church to accept it. To which Paul asks them in 1 Corinthians 6:15 KJV “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.”

Know ye not? That seems like a no brainer to me, but Paul had to ask it. So it took me into a study of the other “know ye nots” of chapter 6.

Know ye not that we shall judge angels?

The members of the church fo Corinth were destroying there testimonies with a multitude of sins. One such sin was that of suing each other. Which is why he asked them in verses 2-3 of Chapter 6

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 KJVS

[2] Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? [3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

How lightly do church people take church squabbles, gossip and backbiting? I don’t suppose it to be an error when I say that it’s likely more of a plague than the corona virus. Rather than making brothers and sisters a matter of prayer, we make them a matter of gossip or ridicule. Ask me how I know. Go ahead. Ask. … Because I’ve been guilty of it. And its a sin that’s just looked over and ignored. And yet…. we expect God to make us judges over the world and angels? Ummmm. I’m thinking not everyone will be task with that. 

I was extremely hurt by another child of God (not anyone in my church) last week. I’ve really struggled with forgiving them because it’s not me they were mean to, it was someone in my family. And when I say they were mean… I mean “mean😡.” And in a very public way. No… not social media. But in a meeting. As a person in high authority of a church, they did major damage to their testimony for Christ by spewing venomous speech. Yes it was that bad. I’m sure to them it was justified in their mind. But would it be justified in Heaven? And would much of my speech?  As I said, we take our behavior very lightly with regard to sin.

Know ye not that sinners are watching? 

Paul asks another question: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV

[9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

The Corinthians poor behavior and lack of concern for one another has Paul asking them, “Do you remember who you were?” Whew! That’s a question that should have anyone of us dropping to our knees for forgiveness and gratitude to the Savior. And what is the reaction of the lost in the world who see the present day lack of concern for sinful behavior? I’ve heard it said on more than one occasion by a lost, non church attending person, “Why should I go to church when there is no difference in their behavior and mine?” Now we know that many of the lost are looking for an excuse, but it’s the truth none the less. We know that we are all sinners saved by the grace of God, there is none perfect, save Jesus! But there is a difference between being a repentant sinner and a blatant one that either denies their behavior or ignores it and either way it could be causing someone to have no desire to know God.

While we are free to behave anyway we want, Paul defines that behavior as this:

1 Corinthians 6:12 KJVS

[12] All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

I question my own self today when I ask, “What am I under the power of that may cause a lost person to stay lost?” 

Know ye not that Christ is in you?

1 Corinthians 6:15-17 KJVS

[15] Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. [16] What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. [17] But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

I read once that there are three reasons people justify sexual sin:

  1. It’s LEGAL
  2. It’s NATURAL
  3. It’s PERSONAL

I’m pretty sure that’s how most people in the church view any sin. If it’s okay with the world, it’s okay with God. And yet it’s the furthest thing from the truth. We’re not on this world’s morality scale. What the world thinks doesn’t mean one thing to God. But what God thinks better mean something to us.

I may finish up my Sunday School lesson tonight in the Teen Bible Study class, and I’ll be using my thoughts from today to finish it up. I want my kids to understand early on that the world’s opinions are messed up! Are we as perverted and immoral as the church of Corinth? Well, that depends on whose standards you’re looking at. We all better be praising God that we stand accountable for ourselves and not the actions of other people. But then again, I believe there will be a level of accountability for our role in the church we attend and what our leaderships view on sin was. 

Accountability is not something the world has a grasp of when it comes to God. It’s only through reading and studying the scripture that you understand there are costs and rewards to our life on earth. And for certain the rewards far outweighs any earthly costs. But what about Heavenly costs? When we stand before God and answer for our life down here, and He places us in our Heavenly positions based upon how we served, and what we stood for? Hmmm. That’s a good thought for me today. Father… help me Lord to serve you better, love you better, understand you better. Amen.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Faith, Family, Life Inspiration

Was Jesus Being Rude

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Was Jesus Being Rude

There’s something about my country upbringing that causes me to question (in reverence) some of what I read in the Bible. Like Mark 3:31-35 for example. 

[31] There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. [32] And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. [33] And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? [34] And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! [35] For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Those are not words that any mother would likely want to hear. But Mary wasn’t just any mother, and Jesus wasn’t just any Son. While I’m not Catholic, and I put no greater worth on Mary than any other child of God, she was still an amazing woman of God with many lessons to teach those of us who fall so short. Mainly me.

It doesn’t take very long into the study of this scripture until I realize just how meaningful Jesus’ words were, and how any Mother would have been proud to hear them proceed from her Son’s mouth. So let’s unpack, what could be a Christmas message for me. I seem to already be in that mode at my house, having recently bought serval new decorating pieces for the season. Hey… don’t be hatin’ on me for listening to Michael Bublé’s Christmas album already. 😃 

On the Outside Looking In

That was Mary and His brother’s place that day. They were not in the inner ⭕️ circle. At least not at that time. They had come upon Jesus speaking to a multitude of people, likely people of all socioeconomic statures from the least to the greatest. For some reason they’ve called Jesus to leave the crowd and come to them, but He declines. I can imagine His brothers, not being happy. They didn’t always understand that He was God. But Mary did. I imagine her saying, “Boys, get your knickers out of a knot, your Brother has work to do,” and I can imagine them rolling their eyes and wondering why she always made excuses for Him. Not everyone understands God’s ways.

Isaiah 55:8 KJVS

[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

On the Inside looking Out

That was the crowd’s vantage point. They no doubt recognized His mother, and wondered why He didn’t go to her. Perhaps they had the same thoughts as His brothers. But then the words settle on their hearts, “He loves us, as much as He loves them.” Only God can love like that. While I can love people, I can’t love a group of strangers to the depth I love those close to me in my life. How could that possibly be? Yet with Jesus our Lord, it was such a deep truth, that this same group of people watched it play out on the cross, and yet even  many of them may have been those rejecting Him as God. 

We are a flawed people. We certainly need a friend like Jesus, who loves us even though we’re total misfits. 

Is not it true today?There are those of us on the inner circle who understand the price God paid for us, and then there are those, who are oblivious to the fact He is God! And many times, even I, who know the price He willingly paid, am out of touch with Who He is. Yep, I’m a misfit. 

He’s Nowhere to be Seen

No, He’s really not. Because He no longer stands in the crowd, but His Spirit is within each of His children. And we experience something that only the mother of Christ experienced in the days of this scripture, and she only experienced it for 9 months. The Pentecost had not happened yet. Jesus was physically among them. But now each one of us carry Christ within us who have accepted Him as Savior and we have experienced a love like none other. This morning that thought amazed me. He is not only my friend, but He is my family. And because of Him, I have an extended family, many of whom I do not know and may not know until Heaven, but I can love them and have compassion on them because He has shown me how. Glory to God isn’t that wonderful. I have sisters and brothers in the physical sense, but I have them int he spiritual sense, and there will come a day when together, we’ll all experience Christ face to face,  without regard for who we are, but entirely 💯 percent focused on Him as Lord and with purity of thought where we will love everyone equal. Just as He does us. I am God’s favorite, I’ve always known it. But then again, so are you. God Bless ya!!!!!! From Shari, The Jesus Chick.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration, salvation, Uncategorized, Word of God

Saved in Such a Time as This

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Saved in Such a Time as This

It all started with one verse this morning that I seen on a social media post of Brian Houston. Psalm 32:7 – Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Good verse for the day! But before I could claim it as a word for myself I needed to find the context of the writer. What was he going through, was there social distancing in his life at the time? This Psalm, as so many other was written by David. One of the most “in touch” men of all ages, who experienced social distancing on more than one occasion, not by choice. I’m not sure at what point in his life this Psalm was written, but for some reason he took it upon himself to give instruction from personal experience so that we too might live better lives. 

There is no Social Distancing With God!

Psalm 32:1-11 KJVS

[1] Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.[3] When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. [4] For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. [5] I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord ; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. [6] For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

There are many, many blessings of salvation, but the greatest of all is the forgiveness of sin which allows us not to have social distancing from the Lord. It’s the greatest thing on earth to feel as though you’re sitting right beside Him in the room as you pray, read His word or worship. David knew the separation sin caused… but he more importantly knew the fellowship of God that forgiveness brought! The world can order us away from one another, but it can never order us away from the Spirit of God! Glory!

He is our Sanctuary of Deliverance!

[7] Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. [8] I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

When the world lets us down for answers, it is for certain God never will. I watched an update of President Trump yesterday with regard to COVID19. While he was doing his best to stay positive and calm his troubled nation, the media was doing their very best to undermine everything he was saying. I loved it when the President set them straight like the toddlers they are. But it still doesn’t do anything to calm the concerns of the people, especially those who don’t know Christ. I have a feeling that David death with the same nonsense within the confines of his people. They loved stirring him up! But David knew, and share with his people the one sure place of peace in the days of trouble. The instruction of God which comes from His word. Hallelujah we still have it today!

Don’t be Stubborn, but rather Determined

They often look the same. David warned about it in the final verses of Psalm 32.

[9] Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. [10] Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. [11] Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

I have a stubborn streak for certain. Especially when it comes to the church. I detest this social distancing. I need my people! My heart cries out “Let’s meet anyway,” and then my Lord cries within “I feel it too Shari, but my people need their safety, and I am with you all.” This is such a good word for me today… not because I’m writing it, but because the Lord gave it to me for such a time as this. On a day when I am discouraged about God’s people not being able to meet. There is a reason the Bible says “forsake not the assembling of yourselves.” We need one another. 

So tomorrow I will meet brother Roger Carter at the church who will preach our Sunday sermon in a new way. It will not doubt be a test for us both. But then we will share it to social media which gives us great distance (as in reach) And who knows who might be stirred to come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and know the peace that we know in the storms of life.

I don’t profess to have the answers to this new normal, but I know Who has it fully in His control and will use it for His glory. But we must not be stubborn and require being drug to our next destination. But rather willing vessels of God that He can use us from where ever we are because He is within us! 

Glory! I’m glad I’m saved!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Faith

These be They, but Ye Be Loved

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on These be They, but Ye Be Loved

It seems like an eternity since I woke up this morning, and yet it’s 9:00 a.m. and I’ve got very little accomplished. It’s hard for me to stay focused today. My mind is in so many different places. It’s in New Mexico with Dewey, it’s in Minnesota with Lynn, it’s in Virginia with Whitney, Spencer with Tiffani, Marietta with Dr. Guiler and in the Word with my Lord. I told someone yesterday that I felt scattered. That’s the only way I can describe where I’m at. It’s exhausting to try to pick pieces from all corners of the earth, much like I need to pick up pieces throughout the corners of my house. My desk looks like something exploded on it.

And yet she is so remarkably calm. If only I could get inside her plastic brain and rest for a while. If only I could actually sit in that position and then stand up again without assistance! But life happens. So I continue on in my journaling exercise in the book of Jude, nearing the end of the book.

Jude vs. 19-20

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

My first question is an often ask one, “How do people survive without God?” I know I did it for 34 years, but the truth of that is, I at least was pretending to have Him in my life. In all my years I have never said there was no God. I knew there was, I just didn’t know how to connect to Him.

Romans 10:14

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Thank You Jesus for preachers!

So this morning as I grieve with a family who lost a child, as I miss my children, and as I give thanks to God for friends who feel like they’re in the room with me, when actually they’re across the country; I’m ever so grateful that in my soul, within the very being of my body is the Holy Ghost. He who finds me “beloved.” He who calms my fears, soothes my stress points and sends laughter into my soul through nutty videos that wasted more of my time, but was oh so necessary.

He is Who builds my faith like a Lego house. Brick upon brick, day by day, bad and good. Never failing to remind me that He has all these things in control and we be loved.

Posted in Uncategorized

Oh How He Loves You and Me

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Oh How He Loves You and Me

Hosea 3:2

So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley and an half homer of barley:

Have you ever wondered why God puts up with you? I certainly do. Most every day I’m asking myself that question. I have a feeling that nobody asked that question any more than Gomer, the wife of the prophet Hosea.

The story of Hosea’s prostitute wife was not that of the ordinary man of God. God had instructed him to marry a prostitute. That is what I would all an extreme sermon illustration! Once they were married, Gomer’s infidelity and abandonment meant that Hosea had to buy her back out of prostitution, in a very public way and then tell the children of Israel how his wife’s infidelity was no different than theirs was to the Lord; which would bring great judgment upon themselves.  

Praise God for grace… but Gomer’s life story still rings my bell. I long for a relationship of deeper proportion with the Lord, but I stay so busy and scattered about with various things that the Lord more often than not, gets scooted over to make a seat for some vain desire. Thinking I’ll get back to Him later. What? Even writing that makes my stomach roll over to think that I would treat the Creator of all the earth in such a manner.

It’s why I can identify with Gomer. Hosea married her and made an honorable woman out of her, but she refused to stay away from the world from which she came out of. She had children, and she even abandoned them to go back.

Infidelity has a much broader meaning when it comes to our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

He’s not asking us to turn our backs on family, forget about hobbies or favorite pass times, He merely wants included. And yet, even I, who the world around me knows me as the Jesus Chick, will not bring Him into a conversation for fear of it being an unwanted conversation sometimes. Or I’ll get distracted by some worldly television show or social media and my day has dwindled away and I’m left wondering why I feel like a dirt dog at the end of the day.

It’s the equivalency of not showering! The Word of God is a spiritual wash cloth as one of my favorite preachers use to say.

My relationship with Christ cannot possibly get to a deeper place, if I’m not willing to wade out into the water where He is.

It reminds me of those times that He and the disciples would get away from the rest of the world for some ministry training and rest and it would be in a quiet place, or in the midst of the sea. It wasn’t in a crowded room, dusty street, or in front of a blaring television with idiotic commercials every 3 minutes.

So today in an attempt to understand why God tolerates me I looked into the eyes of Hosea through the eyes of Gomer. I realized it was for no other reason than He loves me. Thank God, I am redeemed. Bought back with the blood of Jesus Christ after I went astray.

He loves you too you know…

Posted in Christian Service, Evangelism, Life Inspiration, Music, Prayer, testimony, Uncategorized

What Would Change?

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on What Would Change?

Every Easter I run the risk of losing the whole purpose of the Holiday, which is to serve as a reminder of the price our salvation cost. It didn’t come cheap. It cost God His Son, and the Lord His life. Yet, I get so wrapped up in the labor of love for the church that I forget to take the time to celebrate the labor of Love from our Lord and Savior.

I had all but sluffed off blogging today as I had the past couple of days because I had too many other things vying for my time. Like laundry, chocolate chip cookies, vegetable soup and cornbread, you know… really important stuff. (insert rolled eyes here). Even as I write, there are reminders all around me of other things I’d planned on doing today. But what slowed me down was a video posted on Facebook this morning by Blake Shelton.

Now, for the record, I have a love, hate relationship with the show “The Voice” because of the immoral aptitude of the co-stars. Yes, I know it’s Hollywood, not the church, but I’m still entitled to my opinion. So imagine my surprise when I listen to a song that Blake wrote titled “The Savior’s Shadow.” (Link Below) According to the link, Blake dreamed the lyrics, awoke, and wrote them down and then composed the song during a time in his life when he was struggling. Struggles can bring amazing things out in us when we’re in a attitude to receive the Lord’s goodness.

If the “religious” crowd aren’t careful they’ll miss the lesson I received in Blake’s song.

When I read the title, my Jesus Chick feathers ruffled up and I was ready with a critical spirit to critique him like they critique the people auditioning for their show. But I smoothed my feathers out, and listened. With each word Blake sang, my heart melted. And not for Blake Shelton, but for the Lord’s work.

I was quickly reminded that I’m a sinner saved by grace, and the only reasons I have this platform and the opportunities to minister in song is because the Lord had pity on my soul and used me in spite of who I really am.

I had written a social media post a few weeks ago regarding another co-star of the Voice, Kelley Clarkson. I was so aggravated with her announcing her Christian faith one minute and then cussin’ like a sailor the next. I’m still flustered over it. To be given such a platform for Christ and then to damage the cause for which He gave His life in such a way, through the vulgarity that she knows to be wrong makes me sad. For Jesus and her. She totally trashed her witness.

And then there’s Blake. Who makes no profession of faith, openly drinks alcohol and boasts of his immorality, and then look what God did through him! Is Blake saved? Well, there’s “no proof in the pudding,” as they say, but it’s not for me to judge. He’s not much worse than his co-star and in truth, he’s not much worse than a great many professing Christians who see no need to be in church or relinquish their mouth and morality to the Holy Spirit. And if I look at the inward part of Shari… no worse than me. I may not openly sin, but I certainly have some parts of my life that aren’t pleasing to the Lord.

Matthew 7:3-4 says “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?”

I heard a story the other day of an art critique who was invited to critique a selection of inspirational art. He stood before a painting of Mary and the Christ Child. Mary was holding the Baby in front of a countryside and mountainous scene, but to the critique’s eye, everything seemed off. The faces seemed distorted, as did the mountains and scenery behind them. It was almost as if everything was painted from a different viewpoint.

The art critique decided to change his position of view, and so he knelt before the painting in the busy gallery. There on his knees he discovered that the painting was meant to be viewed from the position of prayer.

Oh that we would critique the world around us from the position of prayer before getting into our “godly judgmental stances.”

If rather than tearing down the people we come across in the course of day, we got on our knees and viewed them from the position of prayer and through the eyes of God, what would change about them and what would change about us? What would change about me?

 ——————————————————————————————————

This blog is in it’s 8th year. Hosted on godaddy.com for the past five. Expenses incurred for the operation of this site are without complaint and with gratitude for the opportunity. If the Lord would impress you to give to help cover some recent technology issues, I’d be grateful. I’ve not been in the world’s workforce for 3 years and for that I glorify God. It’s given me the opportunity to not only write and work on music, but minister to nursing home patients, volunteer in the Christian School teaching art and help other ministries with marketing. All of which require technology, communication, time and gasoline. Again it’s without complainT… but just in case you have a desire to help, or have “extra money” 🙂 Know that I would be eternally grateful.

Here’s the Link

Posted in Bible Journaling, Life Inspiration, salvation

Why and How I know that I know

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Why and How I know that I know

I will not tell you that in 21 years of salvation I have not ever doubted my salvation. I would doubt that very many Christians could say that. It’s our nature to doubt. Thomas didn’t have the market cornered on it.

But what I can say, it that the Holy Spirit did not allow me to live in that state very long. A friend posted on Facebook this morning the story of the conversion of John Wesley.  As I was reading through his testimony, and the question his dad posed to him on his death bed “John, do you have the inward witness of the Holy Spirit?” I wanted to shout the glory down! And oh, how I wished that during the 34 years of my unsaved condition, someone had asked me that question. They did not.

And when I finally heard it, I knew I did not. But for a while, pride would not allow me to explore it further with those who had asked the question. I had been brought up in church, I had taught Sunday School. I had lead youth. How could I confess that I did not have an understanding of what seemed to be such basic information in the Christian realm.

NOT SO BASIC ANY MORE

In a 2009 Barna Survey, fifty-eight percent strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement that the Holy Spirit is “a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity.” More than half of those surveyed! I realize that surveys can be somewhat misleading because of where the survey took place and who exactly was surveyed. But for some reason, I’m not doubting the results. I’ve been in the presence of too many professing Christians that just don’t bear any witness of the Holy Spirit.  They go to church a dry and come out dry. Nothing changes.

When I got saved. I CHANGED. I felt fire in my soul and it hasn’t gone out for 21 years.  So what happened to those who don’t feel it?

NOT SO BOLD ANY MORE

Matthew 24 states it well when says verses 11-12

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

The testimony of the Christian faith has been so tarnished by false preaching and false professors that even the true believer can see their fire go out if they’re not very careful on who and what they allow their mind to be exposed to.

I was watching the show “The Voice” last night and was so frustrated with the “professed Christian judge” on the show who cursed more than the other three non-professing judges that I was nauseous. I started routing against her. One might wonder why I continued to watch the show… I ask myself the same question. And I’ll be asking myself the same question next week, but it boils down to the fact that I love listening to the singing, and the few Christian testimonies from contestants as well as the singing tips from the judges, I glean what I can from their skills for my own music ministry.

But it’s the mentality that you can live any way you choose and profess Christ that has caused the Holy Spirit not be felt or believed upon by many in the church. Couple that with many churches no longer preaching the blood as necessary for salvation, and you can see the problem with their belief in the Word of God. The blood is on the pages of the bible from Genesis to Revelation.

NOT SO BURDENED ANY MORE

Before I was saved, I had heard just enough about Armageddon to scare me to death and pray for life. I didn’t understand it, but I feared it. I don’t know if I believed in Hell, but I feared it. And when I discovered the truth that there was a Hell, and that a child of God would be saved from it as well as Armageddon, Lord have mercy, I had such peace and gratitude for what the Lord Jesus done for me on the cross. I also became very aware that many of my family and friend would not escape, if they too did not become saved by the blood of Jesus. I was so burdened… I was sure Christ would return the next instant. But over time, when He delays His return, my burdened waned as well. It’s a great lie when you hear… there’s still time.

Perhaps, perhaps not. We need our burden restored and the only way that that is going to happen is to get our relationship with the Lord restored and stoke the fire within us.

NOT SO BROKEN ANY MORE

We need our heart broken the way Christ’s is broken every day by the lack of concern for His children. We need to ask ourselves again and again do we feel and do others see in us the inward and outward witness of the Holy Spirit?

 

 

 

 

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration, salvation, worship

Saved but Silent

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Saved but Silent

on my mind

For certain it’s a conversation starter! For the passionate child of God it will make a preacher out of the meekest of them when they begin to tell of their inability to understand lukewarm saints. For the lukewarm saint it begins a conversation about the “Not Everyone’s.” With statements like:

  • Not everyone’s a soul winner.
  • Not everyone’s a shouter.
  • Not everyone’s got time.
  • Not everyone’s been called….

It’s usually at this point in a conversation that people start reading my very expressive face. My eyes roll. My lip gets bitten. My fingers and hands have a passion for rhythm from the war drums going off inside my head. My right leg starts to bounce a little as if I’m getting ready to run. And I too sit silent because I know if I say what’s on my mind there’s going to be hurt feelings. Usually mine, because you can’t convince a lukewarm saint that anything’s wrong with them. They love to tell me why they’re not lukewarm, they’re passion is just concealed in their conservative ways. And they’re offended that I would suggest otherwise.

Saved but silent is sickening.

A few personal thoughts that have my heart stirred up this particular Saturday night:

  • I know not everyone’s a shouter, else the church would be chaos. But the Lord wouldn’t mind a Holy grunt once and a while.
  • If you can’t remember the last time you were at the altar, you are way overdue.
  • There’s two reasons you go to the altar, 1. Because you need to, and 2. Because you think you don’t need to.
  • Everyone may not be a soul winner, but everyone should be burdened for souls.
  • If you think Sunday School isn’t important, you’re either very well studied and you should be teaching, or you think Sunday School is not needful and a waste of time. And God knows that’s what you think.
  • If the people you share your day with haven’t heard you talk about Jesus, you sat down and shut up when Satan told you to.
  • If your idea of an active prayer life is three meals and a bedtime prayer, you’ve covered food and sleep but the other 23 hours of your day are in the hands of Satan. If you don’t pray over your food, one day you may choke.
  • If you volunteer for school and community events but not for church your priorities are not in check.
  • If a child of God has made you feel uncomfortable because they do any of the aforementioned things you are going to be real uncomfortable in Heaven.

Just a few things on my heart…

Posted in Christian Service, Eternity, Evangelism

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours

CHICK SEAL

If that headline caused you to break out in song or bust a move, you’re either a lover of the oldies, or you’re an oldie. Although I was only 8 years old when Stevie Wonder released that song, it was still quite popular in my teenage years, so as I studied Revelation 7 for my teen class this morning, my ol’ fleshly mind couldn’t help but go back to that song. No, I didn’t bust a move, but in my mind’s eye I did go back to the 70’s when love and I were young. But reality soon kicked me back to 2015 and what caused me to reminisce is now in the forefront of my mind, and that is the fact that I have been signed, sealed and delivered, GLORY TO GOD! for almost 20 years.

Revelation 7:3-4 speaks of the 144,000 of the tribes of the children of Israel, servants of God, sealed in their foreheads and protected from the wrath that’s being poured out on the earth. The last evangelist team on earth. But what about the one before that? You know… us! We don’t have a seal in our forehead, but if we’ve accepted Christ as our Savior but we have one across our heart that declares we are children of the living God. That should cause us to bust a move and do a little holy dance across the floor this morning.

Ephesian 1:13 says ~

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

There it is – Signed, sealed and delivered! The promise of God that we are sealed by the providence of God that regardless of what happens in this world, nothing happens to us without God’s stamp of approval and for His glory.

You better believe in the hour that Revelation 7 is being played out, when all the world is in chaos even greater than now, these 144,000 are going to be feeling the seal that protects them from the enemy that wishes them dead. And this morning I feel that seal as I read the latest on ISIS and their grand scheme of taking over the earth. This wicked lot of men who proudly boast and proclaim victory over the suffering in Paris will one day meet the wrath of God and their arrogant touts will cease as they bow to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.

But until then remember…

YOU ARE SIGNED

Isaiah 49:16a

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; 

On the cross of Calvary Christ bore our names in His hands so that we would have the promise of eternal life.

YOU ARE SEALED

2 Corinthians 1:22

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

The second we accepted Christ’s final work on the cross as payment for our salvation, God sealed His Spirit inside us so that we may know and feel His presence in our heart.

YOU ARE DELIVERED

Luke 1:70-8

As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

It’s that time of year again when the Christmas season is upon us. What better time to remember that we are signed, sealed and delivered to serve Him without fear. Preparing the way for our friends and family that they may know the peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ before it’s too late.

Go and Tell somebody!!!

Posted in Uncategorized

Make Believe Church

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Make Believe Church

Non-church Christians is about like a non-medical school physician. They do far more damage than good and no one wants to hear their opinion. I meet them most every day; those who for some reason or another have given up on church or have never gone, and yet if you asked them if today they knew for certain they were going to Heaven when they die, the answer is usually “Of course!” Some are honest and will just flat tell you “No, I don’t know.” I LOVE THOSE PEOPLE. Those people I can work with, they are real. But the “non-practicing Christian scares me. I know… I’m judging again, right? No, I’m reading the Bible.

James 2:19-20 ~Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

The devils tremble because they know Jesus. Satan’s not an atheist. Satanists are not atheists because by worshiping Satan they have just confessed the living God who created Lucifer. But let’s get back to the “non-practicing Christian.” I doubt the Satanists are reading my blog post today, but the title very well may have caught the eye of someone who thinks they know they’re okay, and will say they are when ask, but deep within… they tremble. It is you who my heart breaks for today. I love you too. I was you 17 years ago.

In Luke 10:17-20 Jesus had sent out seventy disciples into a world that He knew many would reject. He gave them the rules of engagement, the weapon of warfare, the special powers within and His final advice, “knock the dust off your shoes and move on down the road when they won’t listen.” (paraphrased by me) So the seventy go out and even they are shocked at what power they now possess. They can do as He has done. Woah baby! Who knew? Jesus did.

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Jesus responded by saying (again paraphrased by me) “I gave you all those great and mighty gifts, but the greatest gift you have is the knowledge that your name is written down in Heaven.” I know for a fact it was the greatest gift I’ve ever received.  And I know I’ve received it because like the seventy, I have that desire to go into the world and tell them about Jesus, whether or not they accept it. But about that “knocking the dust off my feet.” It’s biblical, and I’ve done it. But when it’s your own soul, it won’t leave the tread in my shoe sole and it sure enough won’t leave the desires of my soul.

I have friends and family who confess they know. But there is no desire to tell others about Jesus, and there is no evidence of faith in their lives on Sunday morning or Wednesday night. And I fear they’ll be left trembling, alone in this world if Jesus returns for His church. Cast into outer darkness, forever separated from those they love.

You may ask “Is church really that important?” Jesus died for it, you tell me.

This is not a scare tactic. This is reality. You wouldn’t go to a make believe doctor if you were sick. Please, don’t go to a make believe church.